This week, dozens of moms from across the country will testify before EPA at a hearing on proposed federal standards for soot pollution.
EPA’s soot proposal doesn’t go far enough to protect our children and communities from avoidable harms. And this week’s hearing is an opportunity to speak directly to our government about our concerns and to ensure our comments are in the public record.
Part of my job at Moms is to make sure our staff and volunteers have the information they need to participate in public hearings like this one. In addition to coordinating hearing logistics, I compile and distribute the facts and data gathered by our policy team.
Facts like…
Soot pollution can penetrate our lungs and bloodstream, causing devastating health impacts.
And…
By tightening the soot standard, EPA could prevent 46,000 emergency department visits for pediatric asthma each year.
I also support our staff and volunteers in telling their personal stories related to air pollution.
When I testified yesterday, I talked about my concern for the health of the elders in my life. Over 6 million people in the US struggle with Alzheimer’s, and nearly a million are living with Parkinson’s. Some of my family members are in these numbers.
Exposure to polluted air can cause inflammation in our brains, and an emerging body of research links soot pollution to an increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
These are vicious diseases, and caring for elders experiencing them is a huge, expensive task. I know this firsthand.
If we know that lessening peoples’ exposure to soot pollution can reduce the number of people with neurodegenerative diseases—as well as the emotional and financial toll on loved ones—then shouldn’t we enact the strongest possible protections?
Let’s reduce the suffering of our neighbors, near and far, from preventable diseases. Let’s invest in pollution reduction because we see that our collective health is worth it!