FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 18, 2026
CONTACT: Katie Valentine, kvalentine@cacampaign.org, (770) 861-0397
Trump’s Rollbacks of Air Quality Protections Put Philadelphians’ Health at Risk
Local health experts, leaders, and scientists spoke out against increased health risks due to dismissed pollution standards.
Philadelphia – On March 18, the Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments, joined by Physicians for Social Responsibility Pennsylvania alongside local leaders, community health experts, and scientists, gathered together in opposition to the Trump administration’s rollbacks of key air pollution safeguards. Since January 2025, the Trump administration has eliminated key federal environmental standards and protections, raising concerns over health impacts from climate pollution.
Years of science have shown that undermining pollution standards increases population exposure to harmful air pollution and climate-related risks. According to the American Lung Association’s 2025 State of the Air report, 46% of Americans—156.1 million people— live in communities that get failing grades for unhealthy levels of ozone or particle pollution. Philadelphia received failing grades for both ozone and particulate pollution, underscoring the ongoing air quality challenges facing the people in the region.
Speakers highlighted their concerns over increased air pollution, the health impacts on Black and Latino communities, and the importance of restoring proven pollution protections that save lives and keep people healthy.
“Right here in Philadelphia the data is clear – nearly half of residents are living with unhealthy levels of air pollution including ozone and fine particulate matter. Pollutants that have been strongly linked to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases”, stated Nina Juntereal, PhD, RN, Pennslyvania Nurse Advocacy Coordinator, Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments.
“You have an administration that tells us that their north star in relation to health is that they want to make America healthy again. I don’t know how it makes us healthier to breathe in more smog, to breathe in toxic chemicals, who is made healthier by that?”, stated Representative Malcolm Kenyatta, Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 181. Representative Kenyatta noted that when he was elected, his district had the highest level of absenteeism specifically as it relates to asthma attacks.
Dr. Nina Ahmad, Philadelphia City Councilmember, At Large, discussed what steps Philadelphia is taking toward improving air quality as the federal government rolls back health protective standards stating, “I was very proud to stand with the Mayor a few weeks ago and do an announcement of 76 air sensors spread all over the city.”
“We face challenges of people wanting to pollute our community knowing our community is already suffering from all kinds of lung ailments”, added Shawmar Pitts, Managing Co-Director, Philly Thrive. “The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia knows first hand that we are the ones coming into their emergency room with these lung ailments as young children.”
Black and Latino communities experience disproportionately higher exposure and related health impacts. In particular, Black and Latino youth are more than four times as likely to be hospitalized for asthma associated complications in comparison to white youth.
“In cities like Philadelphia, where communities continue to experience the effects of legacy industrial activity, the burden of respiratory illness and environmental exposure remains unevenly distributed. Black and Latino communities continue to experience disproportionately higher exposure and related health impacts” said Sarah Bucic, MSN, RN, Policy Analyst, Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments. “Our lives, our health, and our climate are not expendable.”
You can watch a recording of the event here.
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About the Climate Action Campaign
Climate Action Campaign (CAC) is a vibrant coalition driving ambitious, durable, equitable federal action to tackle the climate crisis. By cutting carbon pollution and accelerating the transition to clean energy, we will improve public health and create a more resilient economy and a more sustainable future for all.
About the Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments
The Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments is the only national nursing organization focused solely on the intersection of health and the environment. The mission of the Alliance is to support nurses in promoting planetary health and equity globally by educating and leading the nursing profession, advancing research, incorporating planet-safe practice, and influencing policy. http://enviRN.org
