Excerpt: "Individuals can help improve air quality by cutting down on driving
to reduce vehicle exhaust, ..."
I realize I'm preaching to the choir again. I thought maybe someone who goes to the Stoughton Road project meeting can use this.
I saw recently that Madison is rated number one in country for bicycling for cities of this size. I have to wonder how long we'll retain that ranking with all the road expansion underway and proposed in and around Madison the next several years? Cough, cough, cough ....
Mike Neuman
-------- Forwarded Message ----------
More Than Half of U.S. Population Lives in Counties with Unsafe Air
According to the State of the Air 2005 report, published by the
American Lung Association (ALA), more than half of all Americans live
in counties with unsafe levels of smog and particle pollution, which
leads to many lung and respiratory illnesses.
The ALA report highlights the sad fact that, despite pro-
environmental sentiment and strong regulations, more than half of the
U.S. population lives in counties with unsafe levels of either smog
or particle pollution. Smog is the worst offender and is often
directly responsible for cases of decreased lung function,
respiratory infection, lung inflammation and aggravation of
respiratory illness. Some 142.7 million Americans live in counties
rated with failing grades by the ALA for this airborne pollutant.
Meanwhile, another 76.5 million Americans live in areas where they
are exposed to unhealthy short-term levels of particle pollution.
Children and the elderly are especially at risk. Short-term, or
acute, exposure to particle pollution has been linked to increases in
heart attacks, strokes, and emergency-room visits for asthma and
cardiovascular disease. Particle pollution is most dangerous to those
already suffering from asthma, heart disease, bronchitis and
emphysema.
The ALAs annual tally of Americas air pollution is based on
readings from air quality monitors in every county in the nation. The
organization is currently working hard to protect the Clean Air Act
from the budget-cutting efforts of several key lawmakers. It is also
engaged in a vigorous campaign to force the cleanup of the countrys
dirtiest power plants. Old, coal-fired power plants are among the
biggest industrial contributors to unhealthy air, especially particle
pollution in the eastern United States.
Individuals can help improve air quality by cutting down on driving
to reduce vehicle exhaust, and by refraining from burning wood or
trash that sends particle pollution into the air. The ALA also
suggests getting involved in community reviews of air pollution plans
and supporting state and local efforts to clean up air pollution.
Urging members of Congress to protect the Clean Air Act is another
way for individuals to get involved.
By Larry West in "About Environmental Issues", 14 March 2006
http://environment.about.com/b/a/252061.htm?nl=1
http://environment.about.com/od/healthenvironment/a/stateofair_p.htm
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