Industrial air pollution in our communities
The ripple effects of industrial air pollution
Industrial air pollution has and continues to unfairly burden communities of color and low-wealth areas throughout the South, often to the detriment of public health and quality of life.
In addition to carbon emissions that contribute to the impacts of climate change, industrial facilities emit a range of air pollutants, including fine particulate matter, carcinogens, mercury, lead, arsenic, sulfur dioxide, and acid gases. These pollutants can aggravate asthma and other respiratory conditions and be particularly harmful to sensitive populations, including children and the elderly.
Harm to local communities
As a result of decades of racial segregation and residential redlining, polluting sources including methane gas plants and other fossil fuel power plants, cement factories, asphalt plants, and rock quarries are often sited in and around Black communities, in particular. These industrial operations irreparably change neighborhoods and pose significant environmental and health risks to surrounding residents.
Communities where industrial facilities are sited often face excessive exposure to multiple pollution sources, resulting in unfair compounded health impacts and economic burdens. What’s more, many new and proposed facilities are often abruptly brought into communities without adequate public notice to those who are affected most. These same communities are often disproportionately impacted by climate-change-related disasters such as extreme heat, flooding, hurricanes, and wildfires.
The scope of the problem
Despite ongoing efforts to strengthen federal and state air quality protections, industrial air pollution remains a pervasive problem in the South.
While available technology can greatly reduce industrial air pollution, many facilities are operating without up-to-date pollution controls. State agencies regionwide often lack the resources necessary to remain vigilant against polluters that file applications with incorrect information and violate permits.
The South is also in the midst of two major industrial buildouts that threaten to increase both traditional air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions: biomass plants and methane gas plants.
The biomass industry is increasingly encroaching on communities of color throughout the South, with pellet manufacturing facilities often sited in and around them. Along with carbon emissions, manufacturing and burning wood pellets produces harmful pollutants like nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds, microscopic dust particles, and other hazardous air pollutants that contribute to serious health risks.
Methane gas power plants and compressor stations pollute nearby communities with dangerous air pollution, like fine particulates and formaldehyde, which are harmful even at very low levels.
All you have to do is a little math to find there is a much higher pollution burden being carried by communities of color and low-wealth communities. Historically, it has been far too easy for government and industry leaders to ignore their needs. I’m dedicated to speaking truth to power, making it hard for the government and industry to skirt air quality laws.
Keri Powell, Leader of SELC’s Air Program
Holding polluters accountable
SELC is working alongside partners and communities on the ground throughout our region to protect public health and the environment by challenging deficient air pollution permits and enforcement for facilities that pose particularly significant environmental justice and climate concerns.
We are committed to improving air quality and protecting communities by holding polluting industries accountable, working to strengthen permits and emission limits, and ensuring that federal, state and local agencies are enforcing necessary safeguards.
SELC’s work includes ongoing efforts to uphold and reinforce federal protections intended to prevent or alleviate any harm to communities, including representing environmental justice groups in support of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s action to strengthen the national ambient air quality standard for fine particulate matter, or soot pollution.