Clean Air and Climate Change

We support the need for need for clean air and strong air quality standards for both indoor and outdoor air.  We also support the dialogue on climate change and health. We are committed to opposing any attempts to block, weaken or delay protections against ozone, carbon and particle pollution.

Clean air is an important health concern for all of us. But when you have asthma, air quality indoors and out makes a huge difference to how well you breathe.

People with asthma are particularly sensitive to the health risks of outdoor air pollution. Ozone pollution (smog) and particle pollution (soot), the most common air pollutants, are powerful asthma triggers, as are vehicle exhaust, smoke, road dust and factory emissions. While tobacco smoke, dust mites, molds, cockroaches, pet dander and household chemicals are just a few of the indoor hazards.

For the nearly 25 million people with asthma in the U.S., including more than 6 million children, unhealthy air can create a difficult barrier to asthma management. Although asthma can’t be cured, it can be controlled. The Network is here to help you breathe easier by making the connection between air quality – indoors and out – and your asthma.

Because outdoor air quality may seem beyond your control, the best defense is knowledge and advocacy.

 

Climate Change

Climate change has long been associated with dramatic weather-related events: soaring temperatures, typhoons, flooding, hurricanes, droughts and wildfires. Its effects are also linked to public health.

According to U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, MD: “We know that climate change means high temperatures overall, and it also means longer and hotter heat waves… higher temperatures can mean worse air in cities and more smog and more ozone. We know that more intense wildfires will mean increased smoke in the air. And we know that earlier springs and longer summers mean longer allergy seasons.”

Supporting the Clean Air Act

Since 1970, the Clean Air Act has driven cuts in air pollution across the country, but many of our citizens still live in areas where pollution levels often make the air dangerous to breathe.

Medical and health organizations, independent expert scientists and published research studies have told EPA clearly that the current ozone standard used by the Clean Air Act fails to protect public health.

Climate Change Resources for kids & families:

• Climate Kids
• Kids Environment Kids Health
• Greenhouse Effect