Clairton, Pennsylvania, air quality crisis reveals deeper issues
In Clairton, Pennsylvania, residents face a stark reality of air pollution, revealing deep-seated racial and economic disparities in environmental policy outcomes.
Kiley Bense and Victoria St. Martin report for Inside Climate News.
In short:
- Clairton Coke Works, a major coke producer, significantly contributes to the area's air pollution, affecting residents' health.
- Studies show that air pollution's impact is disproportionately higher in communities of color and low-income areas.
- The enforcement of the Clean Air Act has not equitably reduced pollution across different demographic groups.
Key quote:
“ ... racial/ethnic and socioeconomic inequities in air pollution exposure persist across the US despite the nationwide downward trend in air pollution indicating inequities in air pollution emissions reductions.”
— scientists at Columbia University
Why this matters:
Residents of Clairton and surrounding areas have reported a range of health problems, which they attribute to the poor air quality. These issues include increased rates of asthma, especially among children, as well as other respiratory conditions and cardiovascular diseases. The pollution has also raised concerns about long-term effects on the community's overall health. For example, a 2019 study showed that kids in Clairton are experiencing decreased lung function following the Clairton Coke Works fire.
