If you want to take action against petrochemicals, join BLAC as they wrap up their five-part webinar series on empowering independence from petrochemicals. The webinar will focus on policy changes, community changes, and personal choices. Speakers include Dr. Patricia M. DeMarco from ORVI, Esther Baldwin from BLAC, and Kidest Begre from BLAC.
Air pollution is the most significant environmental risk to public health, and children are especially vulnerable. Some communities in Appalachia have endured more of the burden of toxic air and pollution. Black, Brown, Indigenous, and low-income communities in the United States are disproportionately affected by environmental injustices. Appalachian towns like Clairton, PA, are examples of environmental injustice.
The people of Clairton breathe air that’s consistently ranked among the worst quality in the nation. As the site of petrochemical production, Clairton’s air pollution includes fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and sulfur dioxide (SO2), which are known causes of asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart disease, and cancer. These pollutants have been linked to a long list of other health problems, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency declared that the Clairton Coke Works plant emits carcinogens.
Black Appalachian Coalition (BLAC) works to empower communities historically and disproportionately affected by environmental racism. Black communities in Appalachia have systematically been forced to live in industrial zones and breathe polluted air that adversely impacts their health.
Wanting to take action against petrochemical pollution? Join BLAC and Ohio River Valley Institute on Thursday, September 28th, as they wrap up their five-part webinar series on empowering our independence from petrochemicals — hosted by BLAC and Ohio River Valley Institute. This webinar will focus on policy changes community and personal choices. Please share this important event with your community.