it's not fair

Studies show that people living next to highways have worse health (54, 60).  Additionally the EPA has estimated that closing the most polluting coal fired power plants and replacing them with renewable energy would save nationwide 3600 premature births, 1700 heart attacks, 90,000 asthma attacks and over 300,000 missed work days each year.(55)  As noted above, people living close to roads and power plants are disproportionately less affluent and minorities.  Their health suffers as a result (62, 63).

The less affluent and minorities are more severely affected by air pollution in numerous studies (61, 62, 63, 75,are a few).  In Denver, neighborhoods like Globeville and Elyria-Swansea are perfect examples.  These less affluent neighborhoods are right along the I-70 corridor and near the polluting Suncor refinery.   Those living in these neighborhoods are exposed to much higher levels of air pollution than most other areas in the city.  See 350 Colorado to read more about this local issue and join the local 350 Metro Denver to get involved.