As N4EJ Board President @anthonymoser.com told @blockclubchi.bsky.social, the city needs to use the powers it already has, and figure out what to do when pollution isn't a one-time accident but an unavoidable part of the business.
This move is an opportunity – but the city must choose to take it.
![The Department of Environment’s full restoration is welcome news, said Anthony Moser, board president of Neighbors for Environmental Justice.
But “whether or not it turns out to be a meaningful change” depends on the department’s willingness to do things differently from its predecessors, Moser said.
Dropped charges, light fines and a willingness to negotiate tickets with large companies were common themes when the health department handled environmental enforcement, according to Moser’s 2023 report, “Ineffective By Choice.”
As the Department of Environment takes over, officials cannot continue to let repeat offenders slide, Moser said. He cited South Deering residents’ years-long struggle with Pullman Innovations’ “noxious odors” as an example of how residents suffer from a lack of enforcement.
“I think what matters more than [creating] new powers [for the Department of Environment] is having the political will to act,” Moser said. “They need to use the powers they have creatively, and … make some decisions about what the city wants to do when pollution is not an accidental thing, but actually a core part of [a facility’s] business model.”](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:52vagreyljbpbjc5brlimvfm/bafkreihkdpquqfbuyn3xxr4qytwtw4b6iv3hne5367o22ytwvrssis7leu)
![The city's health department, which is responsible for environmental investigations and enforcement said defended its record and said it "has been working to address community concerns related to Pullman Innovations for many years."
In a statement, the health department said that it "has also been working with the [Pullman] facility to determine what new odor-reducing control equipment can be used."
In its own statement, EPA officials said they are "aware of the odor complaints in this area. EPA is currently working with the company to ensure compliance with environmental regulations."](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:52vagreyljbpbjc5brlimvfm/bafkreiatbasfoyivtvw434e5jpktmzp6o5kt6ckpf3tehphm6spubie7nq)
!["CDPH is aware of the ongoing MAT asphalt facility odor nuisance I...] strong noxious asphalt odors [...] caused me to develop a headache with irritation in my nose and nasal cavity. The facility was issued two tickets on 8/23/2024 [....] further enforcement action will be taken if the air pollution and nuisance odors are not addressed."](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:52vagreyljbpbjc5brlimvfm/bafkreiacf4pz5vj4kso4jl6e4td2y2lcdha77rah73mgv5poeebofw4jyi)
![What’s that Smell? Air Pollution and Your Health
What is air pollution? Air pollution is tiny bits of stuff in the air that we breathe.
Air pollution affects us even when we can’t see it or smell it.
It comes from:
cars, trucks, and trains
factories, asphalt plants, and industry
smoke from wildfires and dust blown by the wind
How does pollution impact health?
Air pollution is bad for you in many ways.
It causes health problems (like asthma)
It makes other problems worse (like heart disease)
It increases your risk of diseases (like cancer) and makes your health worse
Every year, 4.2 million people die earlier than expected because of air pollution (WHO).
How do we measure air pollution?
Air pollution is measured with air monitors - special sensors that count how much pollution is in the air around the sensor.
Most sensors measure one or two types of air pollution. The most common type measures particulate matter (PM 2.5), a mix of all the tiny particles that get into your lungs when you breathe.
Where are the air monitors in Chicago? There are official air monitors, installed by the government, and air monitors like Purple Air, installed by community groups.
The EPA AirNow program has 6 monitors in Chicago. If you see air quality numbers on your phone, it probably comes from AirNow.
Currently, there are no monitors in parts of the SE and SW sides where air pollution is the worst.
What can you do about air pollution in your community?
We are all air monitors!
Report what you smell, see, feel, taste, and any other experiences you have where you live, work and play. You can report odors and air pollution from your phone and describe them in detail using the QR code below
[Bottom corner shows a heatmap of Chicago air pollution and the location of EPA air monitors]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:52vagreyljbpbjc5brlimvfm/bafkreihuf2iokdufsi5tnb4s5ymjdfg2uj3ib6rhvobhr3p5gmwv3qkwf4)
