PHILADELPHIA, PA (May 5, 2026) – Today, local elected officials, healthcare professionals, and Philadelphians suffering from asthma rallied at Philadelphia City Hall for strong health protections to reduce the harmful air pollution that leads to diseases like asthma.
Their message was clear: people are not expendable. Speakers called on the EPA as well as local, state, and federal officials to uphold the science, protect vulnerable communities, and defend clean air standards that save lives. Millions of Americans are already breathing dirty air, suffering higher rates of asthma, emergency hospitalizations, and premature death.
“Philly’s air quality just received a failing grade and is only getting worse. We need to hold elected officials accountable for letting polluters turn our air into an asthma incubator. We deserve an EPA that works for us, not Big Oil. And Mayor Parker needs to end Philly’s dirty deal with trash incinerators that turns our waste into toxic air and ash,” said Jamie Gauthier, Philadelphia City Council
“Last week, the American Lung Association released its state of the air report. Unfortunately, Philadelphia received an F grade. That’s because of unacceptable high levels of particulate matter and ozone in our air. Both are bronchial irritants that could trigger asthma and make it difficult to breathe,“ said Dr. Walter Tsou, former Philadelphia Health Commissioner.
“I have seen and felt, firsthand, the effects of poor air quality on my health and the health of my patients. Worsening of illness, increased hospitalizations, disability, and sadly, death,“ said Grace Wummer, Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments.
“Colds are inevitable, but the pollution that exacerbates my daughter’s condition isn’t. 7.3 million children are living in counties with failing air quality grades. If we would not accept failing schools, we should not accept failing air. The next generation is paying the price for today’s political choices. I’m looking to our leaders to take a stand against pollution and look out for the little lungs that need care and help — like my daughter,” said Nick Zuwiala-Rogers, Clean Air Council.
“Unless they know we’re watching, politicians trade our health to do deals with dirty industry. Take our actions at cleanairactionfund.org to tell them what your priorities are and remind them that we pay their salaries,“ said Liz Green Schultz, Clean Air Action.
