Dr. Maria Neira of the World Health Organization and Evelyn Mayo of Downwinders join HLHP to speak about the extensive health impacts of industry on air quality.
Evelyn addresses the impact of particulate matter on communities and the environment. She breaks down the different types of pollutants, their sources, and their impacts. Evelyn uses the example of a cement plant and helps listeners truly understand the pollution process and the impact on our planet. She speaks about zoning and inequities in regard to legal and illegal industries. Evelyn closes by giving alternatives for listeners to move away from supporting highly pollutive industries, and into promoting safe and sustainable infrastructure.
Dr. Neira explains the deep connection between the health of our bodies and the air we breathe. She notes that, in fact, almost 90% of our population breathes air that is not considered up to healthy standards. Dr. Neira underlines that air pollution from industry and many other sources does not only impact the lungs, but rather our whole bodies. She delves into WHO’s involvement in policy, industry, health, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Neira closes by offering solutions to mitigate the impact of poor air quality and our bodies, as well as ways to improve air quality for our planet and our health.
