FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, July 18, 2017
Contact: Nick Dodge, Byrum & Fisk Communications, 517-333-1606
With Southeast Michigan air pollution alert, nurses highlight need to maintain fuel efficiency standards
Pollution alert affects families in Detroit, Ann Arbor and throughout region
ANN ARBOR – As the Department of Environmental Quality cautioned southeast Michigan residents of risk from ozone-polluted air on Tuesday, July 18, the Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments highlighted the need to maintain federal fuel efficiency standards that help reduce dangerous air pollution, protecting families and children statewide.
“Vehicles are one of the leading causes of dangerous air pollution that leads to warnings like these, and the current federal clean cars standards are one way to protect the air we all breathe and reduce these incidents in the future,” said Joyce Stein, a retired nurse in Ann Arbor and board member of the Alliance. “With support from commonsense policies like our current clean cars standards, Michigan can keep leading the way to develop the next generation of vehicles, while helping to reduce air quality warnings like the one that affects all Southeast Michigan residents today.”
The warning was issued for July 18 by the Michigan DEQ and covers St. Clair, Livingston, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, Wayne and Monroe counties, including the cities of Detroit and Ann Arbor.
The U.S. transportation sector has outpaced electricity generation as the largest source of carbon pollution. Fuel efficiency standards reduce tailpipe pollution from cars, protecting the health of Michigan families, children and seniors.
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