{"id":971,"date":"2022-08-08T01:37:09","date_gmt":"2022-08-08T05:37:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aafa.org\/?page_id=971"},"modified":"2025-10-07T13:48:57","modified_gmt":"2025-10-07T17:48:57","slug":"clean-air","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/aafa.org\/advocacy\/key-issues\/climate-and-health\/clean-air\/","title":{"rendered":"Clean Air"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Advocacy<\/h2>\n

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Clean Air<\/h2>\n

AAFA supports clean, safe air for everyone and urges the adoption of strong standards and enforcement of these standards to reduce the emission of harmful air pollutants that impact climate change. The quality of the environment around us has a direct impact on our health and the health of future generations. We have an obligation to protect the climate and preserve clean air for the health and well-being of all people in the U.S., especially those with asthma and allergies.<\/p>\n

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Outdoor Air Pollution<\/h3>\n

Ozone is one of the most widespread air pollutants and is the main component of smog or \u201chaze.\u201d Increased ozone concentration is directly related to asthma attacks and can reduce lung function. It is most found in cities with more cars and on high heat days.<\/p>\n

Airborne particle pollution is also a significant risk factor for asthma. Airborne particles pass through the nose or mouth directly into the lungs. Fine (very small) particle pollution comes from many sources, including agricultural and wildfire smoke, as well as the burning of fossil fuels in factories, power plants, and vehicles. Particle pollution reduces lung function and can worsen asthma. Increased short-term particle pollution exposure also leads to increased hospitalizations and severity of asthma attacks in children.<\/p>\n

Indoor Air Pollution<\/h3>\n

Indoor air pollution poses a significant health risk to people. People spend an average of 90% of their time indoors and, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor air is more polluted than outside air. Evidence also shows that poor indoor air quality (IAQ) increases risks of severe asthma attacks and allergic reactions.1<\/sup><\/p>\n

IAQ in schools is especially important. IAQ in schools can impact children\u2019s health and how well they perform in school. In the United States, more than 53 million children and 6 million adults spend a large part of their days in more than 120,000 public and private schools.<\/p>\n

Some of the most common allergens found in schools are dust mites, pests, and mold. These can trigger asthma symptoms in people with allergic asthma. Asthma is the leading cause of missed school days.<\/p>\n

The aging infrastructure of our public school system is one of the top causes of poor IAQ in schools. In 2017, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) gave U.S. public schools a D+ on its Infrastructure Report Card. Annual funding to keep up school buildings falls about $38 billion short. The report card notes that 53% of the nearly 100,000 public school buildings need repairs, renovations, and modernizations just to be considered in \u201cgood\u201d condition School districts with more low-income and minority children are more likely to report their school buildings as being in \u201cpoor\u201d or \u201cfair\u201d condition.2<\/sup><\/p>\n

Support the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)<\/h3>\n

AAFA is dedicated to ensuring that all individuals have an optimal environment in which to live, learn, work and play. EPA is the cornerstone of our environmental public health infrastructure, and its mission to protect the public\u2019s health and the environment is critical to the well-being of our country. Strong environmental laws and enforcement of these laws are needed to ensure EPA\u2019s mission is achieved.<\/p>\n

AAFA strongly supports the inclusion of environmental justice and civil rights as strategic goals for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).3<\/sup> In addition, AAFA supports a number of EPA\u2019s priorities, including:<\/p>\n