Studies Show That Negative Health Effects Can Persist Months After Exposure to Wildfire Smoke
Washington, D.C. — Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet reintroduced the Cleaner Air Spaces Act (CASA) to reduce the negative health effects caused by wildfire smoke in vulnerable communities. U.S. Representative Scott Peters (D-Calif.) will introduce companion legislation in the House of Representatives. The legislation would provide grants to expand local clean air programs that provide free air filtration units to households and establish clean air centers in communities with a high risk of wildfire smoke exposure. Vulnerable populations, such as infants, the elderly, and people with pre-existing health conditions such as respiratory or cardiovascular disease, are at higher risk of negative health effects from wildfire smoke.
“Coloradans know too well how harmful wildfire smoke is to their long-term health and quality of life,” said Bennet. “As wildfires have become more frequent and destructive, like those devastating Los Angeles, we need to give our most vulnerable communities the means to protect themselves and their families from the lasting damage of toxic smoke.”
“The wildfires in Los Angeles are another reminder of how far-reaching the public health implications of wildfire smoke are,” said Peters. “Catastrophic wildfires, driven by decades of poor land management and a warming planet, are now the single largest source of particulate pollution in the United States, and in 2020 California wildfires released more CO2 than the state’s entire power sector. California cities like San Diego are leading the way with programs to provide air filtration units, air monitors, and clean air centers for communities at risk of this dangerous pollution. This bill will help vastly expand these vital programs to meet the challenge of protecting at-risk communities from more extreme wildfires.”
Wildfires are now the largest source of particulate pollution in the United States, creating more than 40% of the nation’s fine particulate matter air pollution. Particulate pollution from wildfire smoke is more harmful to human health compared to other pollution sources and tens of millions of Americans are at risk of experiencing high levels of exposure. Extreme smoke events are already increasing emergency room visits and more people will be at risk as wildfires grow in frequency and intensity.
Clean air rooms are one of the most cost-effective tools to reduce negative health effects from wildfire smoke. A clean air room is a designated space set up to keep levels of smoke and other harmful air particles as low as possible during wildfire smoke events. Clean air rooms can be established inside a household (e.g., a bedroom) or established via a community clean air center (e.g., a clean air space in a library or a gym).
The Cleaner Air Spaces Act would:
- Provide grants to support local cleaner air spaces programs. The programs must:
- provide at least 1,000 free air filtration units and one replacement filter for the air filtration units to low-income households with individuals vulnerable to wildfire smoke;
- provide educational materials to help eligible households best utilize the air filtration unit and create a clean air room in their home;
- establish at least one public clean air center.
- Require grant recipients to partner with local organizations.
- Require a report to Congress with survey data from the cleaner air spaces programs and recommendations on if and how the programs should be modified or expanded.
Statements of Support
“Recognizing the most devastating impacts of wildfires are felt by those directly in the fire’s path, wildfire smoke can also affect communities hundreds of miles away,” said Laurie Anderson, Field Organizer, Moms Clean Air Force Colorado Chapter. Residents along the Front Range, where wildfire smoke tends to linger, have experienced days when the air quality is some of the worst in the world. While many of us can retreat to safe rooms in our homes with windows closed and air filters running around the clock, some of the most vulnerable families with infants, the elderly, or those with underlying health conditions, simply can’t afford the protection they need. That’s why we support the Cleaner Air Spaces Act (CASA). Everyone deserves protection from wildfire smoke, and we thank Senator Bennet for introducing this crucial legislation.”
“Moms in Colorado are unfortunately all too familiar with the realities of wildfire smoke and the dangers it presents to our children’s developing lungs,” said Sara Kuntzler, Colorado State Director, Mountain Mamas. The fires in LA are a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities we are all facing as climate change makes wildfires both more severe and unpredictable. While we work to mitigate the impacts of the climate crisis, we must provide safe places for kids when the air outside is dangerous, which this important legislation will do.”
“This legislation will provide an opportunity for agencies to create clean air spaces which the community can use during smoke events, said Tom Gonzales, Larimer County Public Health Director. It will additionally provide a means to distribute air filtration units to persons most in need when wildfire smoke events are occurring, providing important public health protections.”
“The reintroduction of the Cleaner Air Spaces Act (CASA) by Senator Bennet and Rep. Peters addresses one of the most urgent challenges of our time: the health and safety threats posed by the climate crisis,” said Beatriz Soto, Protégete Director, Conservation Colorado. With wildfires becoming more frequent, larger, and more devastating, CASA is a critical measure to protect our communities. Latinos and other communities of color are disproportionately impacted, living closer to wildfire-prone areas and facing greater health risks from smoke exposure. This legislation centers equity by providing clean air spaces, free air filtration systems, accessible information and community clean air centers to protect families and vulnerable populations. CASA reflects an essential commitment to protecting those who bear the greatest burden of the climate crisis, ensuring everyone has access to the tools and resources needed to breathe clean air and thrive.”
“Wildfires are growing more furious and unpredictable, as we’re seeing with the deadly firestorms ravaging Los Angeles. And the harm these fires cause doesn’t end when the last ember is extinguished, said Joanna Slaney, Associate Vice President of Political Affairs, Environmental Defense Fund. Millions of Americans are being exposed to dangerous air pollution because of wildfire smoke. Even just a few days of exposure to wildfire smoke can have harmful health consequences, especially for children and older adults. Sen. Bennet and fellow congressional clean air champions have put forward a thoughtful plan to ensure that families can get to safety and avoid dangerous air pollution amid ever-worsening wildfires.”
This legislation is also supported by the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative.
In addition to Bennet and Peters, the bill is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and U.S. Representatives John Garamendi (D-Calif.), Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.), Diana DeGette (D-Colo.), Kim Schrier (D-Wash.), Brittany Pettersen (D-Colo.), Kevin Mullin (D-Calif.), Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.), Jim Costa (D-Calif.), Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), Dina Titus (D-Nev.), and Sara Jacobs (D-Calif.).
The text of the bill is available HERE. A summary of the bill is available HERE.