In the states, government authority to regulate for environmental public health is based on ___________.

The authority of government to regulate for environmental public health primarily stems from police powers, which are the inherent rights of states to enact laws that protect the health, safety, and welfare of their citizens. This concept allows governments to take necessary actions to promote public safety, including regulations that can involve environmental health considerations such as waste management, pollution control, and public sanitation.

Police powers are broad and can encompass a wide range of activities deemed necessary for the common good. This includes regulating businesses, land use, and individual behaviors that may affect public health. In the context of environmental public health, these powers enable states to take proactive measures to prevent health hazards and protect the community from potential environmental risks.

While public health laws, federal mandates, and local ordinances play significant roles in environmental health regulation, they often operate within the scope defined by the state's police powers. For instance, public health laws may be shaped by police powers, and federal mandates typically establish broad guidelines under which states can exercise their police powers. Local ordinances, while effective at the community level, are also grounded in the authority granted by the state’s police powers. Therefore, it is the state's exercise of police powers that fundamentally underpins the capacity to enact and enforce regulations concerning environmental public health.