Last week, Clean Air Council (CAC) released a petition urging Philadelphia residents to demand a public hearing to advocate for improved air quality. The Council found that the region is not meeting federal air quality standards for ozone pollution in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties.
“Ground-level ozone air pollution, known as smog, is getting worse in the Philadelphia region and driving the city’s pediatric asthma rate, which is triple the national average,” states Russell Zerbo, Advocate for Clean Air Council. These pollutants can cause a variety of additional health problems in youth, elderly and vulnerable populations — including heart disease, bronchitis and cancer.
As a result of the worsening air quality in Southeastern Pennsylvania, the state’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is required to submit a plan to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). However, according to Zerbo, the proposed plan doesn’t mention any actions that would directly reduce ozone pollutants in the region. There was a public meeting in Norristown on the afternoon of September 6th, but with the location being outside city limits, it’s nearly impossible for the residents most impacted by pollution to attend.
“Since this is a regional problem, public hearings should be held throughout the region — including in Philadelphia’s disadvantaged communities,” notes the CAC in the petition. Philadelphia’s air quality has been disproportionately impacting low-income and minority communities for decades, especially neighborhoods located near major sources of pollution such as highways, power plants and industrial facilities like those in the Southwest section. “Transportation is the largest source of smog-causing pollutants,” says Zerbo. “Governments must work together to increase funding for public transit.”
Clean Air Council’s call on the public to demand additional public hearings would provide an opportunity for all residents to learn more about the ozone problems that are affecting the city and call for meaningful action from officials to help make a positive difference in the health of our communities. If you are concerned about Philadelphia’s air quality, or interested in learning more, you can take action by signing the Clean Air Council’s petition demanding the hearing here.
