August 19, 2003

For more information contact:
David Ginns, STPP, 412-258-6652
Eric Cheung, Clean Air Council, 215-567-4004
DeAnza Valencia, STPP, 505-243-8666

Philadelphians Still Breathing Unhealthy Air:
New Report Ranks Local Area 13th Worst For Unhealthy Air
Congress Poised to Weaken Clean Air Laws and Slash Funding for Transportation Options,
Despite Initial Progress on Air Quality with 8.8% Reduction in High Ozone Days

The Full Report can be viewed at www.transact.org.

Philadelphia - A new national report released today says that Philadelphia is the 13th worst in the nation for exposing residents to unhealthy air. Philadelphia has made progress reducing ozone pollution, with an 8.8 percent reduction in the number of high ozone days over the last decade. Yet air pollution remains a serious health issue, as Philadelphia recorded 84 days of unhealthy air quality from 2000 to 2002, putting area residents - especially children, minorities, and seniors - at greater risk from serious health issues like asthma, certain cancers and heart disease. The report estimates that 11.6 percent of adults in Philadelphia have been diagnosed with asthma. It was released nationally today in Washington D.C. by the Surface Transportation Policy Project with representatives from the American Public Health Association, the American College of Emergency Physicians, the Mt. Sinai Medical Center in New York, and the Children's Environmental Health Network, and locally by Clean Air Council and Transportation for Livable Communities.

The report, Clearing the Air, Public Health Threats from Cars and Heavy Duty Vehicles- Why We Need to Protect Federal Clean Air Laws ranks metropolitan areas nationwide by the highest number of days of unhealthy air pollution levels over the last three years using new data from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. While air quality overall has improved since the Clean Air Act was passed by Congress in 1970, ozone pollution levels have worsened in Philadelphia over the last decade. Air quality gains that have been expected from cleaner engine technologies have often been undermined by enormous increases in the amount of driving (up 162 percent since 1969) and the number of daily vehicle trips made (up 57 percent since 1969). The report says 45.3 percent of Philadelphia's air pollution is from cars and heavy duty vehicles, which each year spew 983,410 tons of pollutants.

"We have a problem - asthma and other health problems are increasing rapidly. It's more important than ever that we "stay the course" and continue to address transportation-related air pollution with transportation solutions," said Anne Canby, President of the Washington D.C.-based Surface Transportation Policy Project, which authored the report.

"We need reassurance that Congress is committed to protecting our health from dirty air, and will ensure the level of funding matches the level of the problem" said Eric Cheung of the Clean Air Council. "We'll all breathe easier."

Air pollutants from cars and heavy duty vehicles, particularly ground-level ozone and particulate matter (PM), can exacerbate respiratory diseases and trigger asthma attacks, increasing the risk of death for seniors and children. The report estimates that air pollution from transportation sources exacts a major toll on Philadelphia, with costs estimated to be as high as $502,817,613. Local advocates are calling on Congress to protect and strengthen clean air laws and boost transportation funding aimed at reducing air pollution.

Childhood asthma in the U.S. has more than doubled in the last two decades. In 2001, 8.7 percent (6.3 million) of all American children were estimated to have asthma. Emergency room visits and hospital admissions for asthma and other respiratory causes are also continuing to increase. Asthma is almost twice as common among African Americans as it is among whites, even when controlling for income levels. African American children are three times as likely as whites to be hospitalized for treatment of asthma.

"Millions come to the emergency department because of asthma and other respiratory problems. We are facing a public health epidemic because the number of Americans with asthma continues to rise. From everything we know about air pollution and asthma, the problem could get worse if Congress weakens clean air protections," said Dr. Carlos A. Camargo, an asthma researcher and member of the American College of Emergency Physicians.

Nationally, transportation is responsible for more than 50 percent of carbon monoxide, about 34 percent of NOx emissions, and more than 29 percent of hydrocarbon emissions (which combine with NOx in sunlight to form ozone or smog). Federal efforts, along with federal transportation funding aimed at reducing the health risks from air pollution must be protected and increased if Philadelphia is to make progress.

Lawmakers in Washington, including Senators Specter and Santorum and Representative Hoeffel may soon vote on legislation that would weaken the Clean Air Act, undermine transportation programs that help reduce air pollution and slash funding for transportation options including rail, buses and bikeways, jeopardizing Philadelphia's initial progress protecting public health from air pollution. Specifically, proposals would reduce the frequency with which transportation plans must be reviewed for their air quality impacts, and excuse metropolitan areas from having to consider the long-term impacts of transportation projects.

Pennsylvania has received $707.3 million in Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ) funding since the program was created in federal transportation law in 1991. An example of a successful local program is the Cobbs Creek Parkway - a 10.2 mile bikeway/pedestrian path from City Line Avenue to the Industrial Highway near the entrance to the Philadelphia International Airport. CMAQ funding enabled the Council to operate its Telecommuting program and its Manayunk Travel Awareness Campaign. Other projects that received funding through CMAQ include Philly Car Share, SEPTA's hybrid electric diesel buses, and Greater Philadelphia Clean Cities' alternative fuel vehicle rebate program. Pennsylvania's demand for CMAQ funding is expected to grow by 22 percent under new EPA air quality standards and proposed changes to weighting factors for pollutants, (holding population steady).

"The CMAQ program has been the wellspring for numerous innovative initiatives that have helped keep our air clean", observed Mr. Cheung. "Congress should further its success by providing more money for the program rather than stagnating it."

Recommendations of the report:

• Protect and strengthen clean air laws, ensuring cities with air pollution problems have resources to address their problem, especially for health concerns from fine particulate matter
• Fully fund CMAQ program in the federal transportation law to meet new demands, and allocate funding directly to the metro areas with unhealthy air
• Strengthen the role of regional planning agencies in order to reduce transportation-related air pollution
• Encourage a balanced approach to reducing air pollution that emphasizes cleaner vehicles and more convenient transportation options like mass transit, bicycling, and walking
  
• Keep a strong analytic review process to meet healthy air goals

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Clean Air Council is non-profit, environmental advocacy group in Pennsylvania and Delaware dedicated to protecting everyone's right to breathe clean air.

The Transportation for Livable Communities Project is a partnership of Sustainable Pittsburgh and the Surface Transportation Policy Project serving to advance transportation reform in southwestern Pennsylvania.

Sustainable Pittsburgh is a public-policy advocacy group that links economic prosperity, ecological health and social equity.

The Surface Transportation Policy Project is a diverse, nationwide coalition working to ensure safer communities and smarter transportation choices that enhance the economy, improve public health, promote social equity, and protect the environment.