What is the issue?

Charleston County has air pollution problems. For the past three years, it received a rating of “F” from the American Lung Association, for high levels of particulate pollution. In 2009 for the first time, Charleston County also received an “F” for dangerous ozone levels.

Particulate pollution is easily inhaled deep into the lungs, where its clearance is slow. Up to 85% of fine particles remain in the lungs 24 hours after initial exposure. These toxic particles are too small for our lungs to filter out and they can pass directly into the blood stream and throughout the body to cause cancer, heart disease, asthma, decreased lung function, chronic bronchitis, irregular heartbeat, and premature death in people with heart or lung disease. The primary sources of particulate pollution are coal-burning power plants and diesel engines. In Charleston, the largest industrial contributor is the port, with its diesel container ships and thousands of trucks moving through Charleston each day.

In addition to our research and educational efforts on outdoor air pollution, we partnered with the South Carolina Smoke Free Action Network and the South Carolina African American Tobacco Control Network in order to address indoor air quality issues.

Through our Clean Air Everywhere work, we urge state and federal agencies to monitor in likely air pollution hot spots. We work to encourage industry to reduce harmful emissions. Citizen awareness is key, and to that effect we are working to generate a large citizen activist network.

How would it affect South Carolina?

Many citizens are not aware of the negative health effects of poor air quality. Educating people about the air quality in their communities and what they can do to push for cleaner air is necessary to reduce negative health impacts. Citizens need to be aware that many areas are close to violating federal health standards. When federal air standards are exceeded, it becomes more difficult to attract new industries and for existing ones to expand. Federal transportation dollars can also be withheld.

What can you do about it?

Join our activist network to stay informed so you can contact legislators and the state Department of Health and Environmental Control (SC DHEC) at critical times to let them know you want South Carolina to have healthy air. Research and understand the effects of poor air quality on your health, and demand port operations and industries use cleaner equipment and fuels. Protect yourself from poor air quality by using high efficiency particulate filters in your home and avoiding peak pollution hours outdoors.