By: Ida Sami, Arizona State Coordinator, Moms Clean Air Force
Date: February 23, 2023
About: Environmental Protection Agency Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2015-0072
To: Environmental Protection Agency
Hi everyone. My name is Ida Sami, and I am an Arizona Field Coordinator for Moms Clean Air Force with a PhD in Environmental Science. I can attest to the urgent need to address the pervasive issue of soot pollution in our state. Soot pollution has a severe impact on our health, environment, and economy, and we must take action to protect our communities. EPA’s proposed soot standards are a step in the right direction, but they don’t go far enough. I am here today to ask EPA to strengthen the annual standard for soot to 8 micrograms per cubic meter and to strengthen the 24-hour standard to 25 micrograms per cubic meter, because these are the numbers scientists tell us will be most protective of public health.
In Arizona, the numbers speak for themselves. The American Lung Association's report found that Maricopa County, which includes Phoenix, is ranked as the 10th most polluted county in the United States for year-round particle pollution. The same report states that over 229,000 children and over 1 million adults in Arizona suffer from asthma, putting them at significant risk of respiratory problems caused by soot pollution. This is alarming, and it is imperative that we prioritize reducing soot pollution to protect our citizens' health.
Research shows that people of color experience higher than average levels of soot exposure from power plants and industry, light-duty vehicles, diesel-powered heavy-duty trucks and construction. Black Americans, specifically, are exposed to higher than average amounts of pollution from all sources, according to the EPA’s National Emissions Inventory. Additional research shows that soot-caused deaths and other health harms, like asthma attacks that send people to the hospital, disproportionately burden Black and Hispanic populations, as well as people living in poverty. Stronger protections against soot pollution will lessen the disparity.
The effects of soot pollution extend far beyond our respiratory health. It also has a significant impact on our environment, including the wildlife and plants that make Arizona such a beautiful place to live. Additionally, acid rain and other forms of precipitation caused by soot pollution can have a damaging effect on our ecosystems. If we do not take action to protect our environment, we will jeopardize the future of our state's natural beauty.
As an Arizona Field Coordinator for Moms Clean Air Force, I have seen firsthand the devastating impact of soot pollution in our state. However, there are steps we can take to address this problem. We need to continue advocating for clean energy solutions, such as wind and solar power, and we must reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. We also need to invest in public transportation and other alternatives to driving to reduce the number of vehicles on the road and the amount of soot they produce.
I urge the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to take immediate action to reduce soot pollution in our communities by strengthening the annual standard for soot to 8 micrograms per cubic meter and strengthening the 24-hour standard to 25 micrograms per cubic meter. By working together, we can create a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable future for our communities.