“F”: How You Can Help Change Philadelphia’s Failing Air Quality Grade

Guest post by Christine Dolle, Field Organizer, PA of Mom’s Clean Air Force

I love the vision that started the Green Philly Blog. Indeed, Philly can “do better” and “be better.” We can certainly better  our childhood asthma rate of up to 1 in 4 children, a rate that jumps significantly higher in some neighborhoods and is truly indicative of a public health crisis.

As a parent with young children who hopes to continue to call Philly “home,” clean and healthy air is a priority.

Philadelphia’s “F” Air Quality Grade

According to the American Lung Association’s newly released 2016 State of the Air Report, Philadelphia County continues to receive an “F” grade for ozone, a powerful lung irritant.

Philadelphia has already experienced a handful of “air quality alert” days this year. No Philadelphian should be faced with breathing dirty air. However, children, with their developing lungs and increased respiratory rates, are among the most vulnerable.

Philadelphians need jobs, there is no question. But must we acquire these jobs at the cost of public health? As I type, I am aware that an expansion at a petrochemical processing plant (the Energy Hub) neighboring many of our residential communities is being considered. According to the Environmental Protection Agency,Philadelphia Energy Solution (the company behind the Energy Hub) is responsible for more than 70 percent of toxic emissions in our county and has been in “significant violation” of the federal Clean Air Act. This expansion, and the asthma-inducing pollution and increase in oil train traffic through our neighborhoods that will likely result, is of great concern. Our children bear the brunt of our toxic emissions on a daily basis.

As May was “National Asthma Awareness Month”, now is a perfect time to reflect on our current air quality.

Philadelphia can step forwards, not backwards. We can work towards a just transition away from dirty energy towards the booming clean energy sector. To anyone who says we must sacrifice the health of our communities to increase jobs I say, “We can do better.”

what you can do about our Air Quality

To do all you can to reduce the effects of poor air quality, consider signing up for air quality alerts at Airnow.gov. You will receive a message via email when air quality in your area reaches a level deemed “unhealthy for sensitive groups” (including children).

Follow the recommendation to reduce “prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion” on these days.

Interested in advocating for cleaner air? Consider visiting our website, www.momscleanairforce.org, where you can learn more and sign up for action alerts. Our volunteers attend events, call or visit legislators, and write letters in support of clean air for our children.