Current strategies are not working!

What the EPA has not done is tell the states that the air sampling should be taken near the roads where the greatest exposure exists. The EPA directs states to take air samples where it is most typical for exposure. The current air samples are being taken from an old network of sample sights that were for ozone and select sites that are chosen by the state. If a state fails air quality, they loose highway funding – go figure! It makes sense why the states conduct their sampling where it reads the best.

To protect public health and welfare, re-entrained particles must be measured, recognized and mitigated. We must have a strategy for these particles. We must measure these particles at or near the roadway surface. It is unacceptable for the population to be placed at risk when there are available options to combat this problem.

We know that these fine particles (PM2.5) come from many different sources, including tail pipe emissions. We know that these particles come from tire wear, brake dust and other fugitive sources. We know that these particles remain on the roadways and as a vehicle travels along a roadway, the tire impacts the particles and sends them into the air. Higher than average concentrations of these particles hover, suspended over the roads and extend hundreds of yards in all directions. Involuntarily, we are breathing these particles every day and this is creating a worldwide health crisis. We know this…

The government continues to build bike paths, parks and other recreational outlets near heavily traveled roadways. The government continues to build schools and housing near these heavily traveled roadways. They know the danger.

Imagine sitting waiting for a bus on your way to work, or your children are at school playing near a major roadway. Perhaps you have decided to enjoy some family time playing at the park and use a bike path that runs along the roadside during recreation with your family, and then retire at home which is near the freeway. You have no idea that you were exposed all day long to toxic particle pollution. This is real life for many of us, and some of us do not have choices of where to live.

Everyone is at risk. Lower income housing tends to be close to heavily traveled roadways, placing an enormous burden on the health care system of these families. Children are suffering and dying. \

Schools that are built close to heavily traveled roads place children at an unacceptable risk. Elderly are affected and they have no choice.