Resolution: S-20-20: CROSS-STATE POLLUTION AS HEALTH CONCERN

[Valerie Lile]

1 WHEREAS, 41 to 53 percent of air-quality related premature mortality results from emissions that
2  originate outside of that state ¹; and

3  WHEREAS, combustion emissions such as ozone and fine particles are the primary contributing factor
4  to harmful air pollution ¹; and

5 WHEREAS, states in the northern plains and the upper midwest are the most at-fault for producing
6 the cross-state pollution ²; and

7 WHEREAS, pollution travels eastward due to air current patterns, with the northeast as the primary
8 pollutant recipient ³; and

9 WHEREAS, sectors of pollution are not subjected to strict regulation by the US Environmental
10 Protection Agency (EPA) and, as a result, commercial and residential emissions have doubled ⁴; and

11  WHEREAS, the Federal Clean Air Act’s “Good Neighbor” provision requires the EPA to take action
12  against states whose air pollution harms other states ⁵; and

13  WHEREAS, states like New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Delaware, and Massachusetts are suing
14  the EPA in an attempt to force it to clamp down on upwind states after failing to do so as outlined by
15  the “Good Neighbor” provision ⁵; and

16  WHEREAS, the combined effects of ambient and household air pollution causes approximately 7
17  million premature deaths every year world-wide, largely as a result of increased mortality from stroke,
18  heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections ⁶;
19  and

20  WHEREAS, there are 4.2 million deaths as a result from ambient air pollution ⁶; now, therefore, be it

21  RESOLVED, that the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) acknowledge the health concerns
22  associated with cross-state pollution; and, be it further,

23  RESOLVED, that the AOA support the “Good Neighbor” provision of the Federal Clean Air Act.

References

1. Dedoussi, I.C., Eastham, S.D., Monier, E. et al. Premature mortality related to United States cross-state air pollution. Nature 578, 261–265 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-020-1983-8
2. Fountain, H. (2020, February 12). Calculating Air Pollution’s Death Toll, Across State Lines. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/12/climate/air-pollution-health.html
3. Crespo, G. (2020, February 12). Air pollution can cross state lines, and with deadly consequences, study says. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2020/02/12/health/premature-mortality-cross-state-air-pollution-study/index.html
4. Kaufman, L. (2020, February 12). New Yorkers Are Dying from Air Pollution Caused by Other States. Retrieved from https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-02-12/new-yorkers-are-dying-from-air-pollution-caused-by-other-states
5. Fallon, S. (2020, February 19). New Jersey sues Trump’s EPA again to curb air pollution entering from other states. Retrieved from https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/environment/2020/02/19/nj-sues-trumps-epa-again-curb-air-pollution-other-states/4808209002/
6. (2020). Air pollution. Retrieved February 23, 2020, from https://www.who.int/health-topics/airpollution#tab=tab_1

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Submitted by:

Suzanne Abuhadba, OMS-I – Lincoln Memorial University – DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine – Knoxville Location
Staci Hunter, OMS-II – Lincoln Memorial University – DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine – Harrogate Location
Logan Shaver, OMS-II – Lincoln Memorial University – DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine – Harrogate Location

 

Action Taken: [Leave Blank. Will be Approved by the House of Delegates or Not Approved.]
Date: [Leave Blank. Date submitted to National Vice President and the National Office.]
Effective Time Period: Ongoing

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