Delawareans asked to share clean air stories on social media

The Clean Air Act, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, is responsible for reducing air pollution in much of the nation and saving hundreds of thousands of lives each year.

Despite this public health success, climate change poses new challenges to protecting the nation’s air quality because it makes air pollution worse, placing the health of Delawareans at risk.

Through the Stand Up For Clean Air initiative, the American Lung Association asks Delaware residents to pledge to take action on climate change and air pollution, including raising awareness about the need for clean air. Everyone is encouraged to tell why clean air matters to them through the #MyCleanAirStory social media campaign. 

Delawareans are asked to share personal experiences and concerns with air pollution and climate change on social media with a selfie, photo or video with the #MyCleanAirStory hashtag. Whether a person loves to bike or run or lives near a power plant or highway, or their child experiences asthma symptoms on bad air quality days - everyone has reasons why they want and need clean air.

“Air pollution is not just an issue for those with underlying health issues like asthma, breathing air pollution is harmful for everyone. But some groups do face an even higher risk, including pregnant women, babies, children, teens, older adults and many communities of color,” said Deborah Brown, chief mission officer of the American Lung Association. “Through Stand Up For Clean Air, we hope to elevate conversations around the health impacts of air pollution and climate change and motivate people to take action. The reality is that climate change is not only a future threat but is harming the health of Americans today.”

Climate change is worsening air quality through increased levels of wildfire smoke, increased formation of ozone pollution and more extreme storms and frequent flooding, which leave behind mold, polluted floodwater residue and other damage, exposing people to indoor air pollution as they clean up and repair homes. Many sources of climate pollution - power plants, oil and gas operations, and cars and trucks - also produce air pollution that is directly harmful to lung health.

Air pollution can trigger asthma attacks and can cause coughing and wheezing, heart attacks and stroke, developmental and reproductive harm and lung cancer. Air pollution can even be deadly.

“Most Americans support more clean air protections, but not all Americans know what action they can take,” Brown said. “From urging your elected officials to take action on the federal level to helping to reduce air pollution in your community, actions large and small can add up to make a significant impact.”

For more information about climate change and lung health, as well as simple steps to make a difference and critical opportunities to hold leaders accountable, go to Lung.org/air.