Statement Of John Coyle

Environmental Protection Agency
Aging Initiative Public Listening Session
Los Angeles, California
April 29, 2003

John Coyle
Acting Director
Los Angeles County Area Agency on Aging

Good afternoon. In my capacity as the new Acting Director of the Los Angeles county area agency on aging, I would also like to welcome all of you to today's EPA listening session. Our task today is to help develop a national agenda on the environment and aging.

For many years, we have been hearing about the Baby Boomers, those who were born in the United States beginning in 1946, following the end of World War II, up through the year 1964. Well, those Baby Boomers are about to come of age, as those born in 1946 will turn 65 in the year 2011, a brief eight years from now.

The coming of age of this generation will have a profound impact on our demographics. Between now and the year 2030 the 65+ population will double from the current 35 million to 70 million, and will double yet again to 140 million by the year 2050.

It is obvious that we need to begin now to understand both the impact of this dramatic population increase on the environment, and the impact of the environment on this population.

As we age, and as our immune system weakens, our bodies become more susceptible to hazards from the environment. These include water and air pollutants, pesticides, cleaning solvents and substances such as lead, mercury and asbestos.

One goal of today's session is to identify the environmental hazards that are most prevalent in this area, and how those hazards affect the health of seniors.

Another important goal is to identify ways in which seniors themselves through voluntary activity can reduce environmental hazards.

These and the other goals that will be addressed here today are very worthwhile and important, and deserve our full support. Thank you for participating in this very important project.

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Statement Of John Coyle

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