A new study brought air pollution home in a most uncomfortable way. South Seattle residents face increased health risks for cancer and other diseases from air pollution.
That's especially true for people living near highways, a finding in line with other studies suggesting respiratory and circulatory problems for those along major transportation thoroughfares.
There is so much talk of late about global warming from air emissions that people could almost forget how much their location affects pollution. But air pollution, waste dumps and fouled water are all part of the challenges in trying to achieve any kind of environmental justice in our and other societies.
Some environmental groups criticize the state for taking so long to release the results of the study, which recently turned up on the Internet without some elements. Officials said some data problems were being resolved for the study's final version. But residents of many poor neighborhoods might wonder why there was ever any real doubt about the general outlines of the results.
We hope state and federal offices move quickly on more studies and ways to reduce the threats. As a Seattle P-I article noted, more precise risk estimates will require considerably more monitoring. A summary of the study talks about educating people on the problems but also notes that more data could be used on impacts from wood stoves and from port, rail and King County Airport operations.
South Seattle residents are gaining a clearer understanding of their specific risks. They and others could use more information. Most of all, everyone could use healthier air in their neighborhood and the atmosphere we all share.
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