Community Health Page
Like all people, we wish to lead long, happy, productive lives. This becomes more difficult when our health is compromised. There are many environmental factors in West Harlem which compromise the health of the people in our community.
Air Pollution in West Harlem and its effect on health
Fact: The air we breathe in West Harlem is hazardous to our health.
The Natural Resource Defense Council states "New York County (Manhattan), one of the five counties within New York City, has the highest risk in the state with air toxics levels 421 times EPA's safe level" (see here) .
Air quality has an especially strong effect on our children. Research done by Harlem Hospital Center has found that in Harlem, around one in four children have asthma. This rate is almost five times higher than the rest of the country. The research shows that "Asthma is the leading cause of school absenteeism in the neighborhood" (see here).
A growing body of scientific evidence is showing that, "Increased pollution has lead to a greater number cases of asthma in neighborhoods such as Harlem in New York City" (see here).
The Health Protection Agency in Great Britain published a study concluding that, "Reducing air pollution can dramtically improve the lives of people with asthma" (see here).
For a more visual look at the asthma rates in New York City (and Harlem), check out these disturbing maps showing a correlation between facilities producing diesel emmissions in Harlem and asthma in infants (0-4 years old) from West Harlem Environmental Action (We Act).
Unfortunately, air quality in New York City seems to only be getting worse. In the past ten years (from 1993 to 2002) the number of unhealthy air days (as reported by the Enivironmental Protection Agency has increased from 13 days per year to 30 days per year (see this report).