The residents of districts from Texas to Minnesota stand against a roofing company that has long been accused of polluted their community.
What happens?
As reported by Sierra, GAF -Tach has been working for decades, but the locals claim that she had filled her air with toxic chemicals and endangered her health.
Community members say that they have associated bad smells, persistent pollution and alarming studies on the health effects with the pollution of the company. Proponents have documented concerns about exposure to dangerous air pollutants, including chemicals that are known to cause breathing and heart cycle problems.
The residents have repeatedly asked local and state authorities, but their efforts were largely met with delays and obstacles.
“We did everything; we tried everything,” said Nancy Przymus, organizer of the Bottineau Neighborhood Association. “The facts don't matter if we can influence their end result.”
Why is this pollution in relation to?
The struggle of the residents is just an example of injustices for the environment in which marginalized communities are disproportionately burdened by industrial pollution.
Many residents of the neighborhood affected had deteriorated asthma, chronic headache and other breathing problems – health problems that have associated studies with exposure to industrial levies.
The community's struggle to close GAF roofing reflects a nationwide pattern in which low-income and minority population is exposed to considerable obstacles when they try to hold pollution into account.
Although the residents provide evidence of harmful emissions, state authorities still have to take decisive measures against GAF. This delay not only brings local families to endanger, but also raises concerns about how effectively environmental laws are enforced.
What is done with this pollution?
Local activists and environmental organizations increase the pressure on state authorities to intervene.
Groups such as the Bottineau Neighborhood Association and Singleton United have teamed up with the residents to get a boycott of asphalt roofs. They also requested increased air surveillance in the region to provide concrete evidence of the pollution levels.
In the meantime, the residents ask the political decision -makers to prioritize environmental justice by strengthening the protection of community affected by industrial pollution. Lawyers also urge changes to the law that make companies like GAF more difficult to continue operating without strict supervision.
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