« Toxic City Moodle Discussion

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Watching this video, we learned about how pollutants affect various neighborhoods around Birmingham. I was aware of Birmingham's industrial industry, but I was not aware of how poor the air quality in parts of the city still was. The main pollutants in the city are smoke and pollutants coming from factories, runoff in the waterways, and coke from factories. Coke is made by heating coal in the absence of air and lends to pollution in the area. It was extremely sad watching the families in the videos wipe the ashes off their cars, homes, and bodies. Also, it was horrible hearing that many of the kids in the elementary school suffered from breathing problems due to the pollutants. While attempting to "help" there seemed like little was being done. The ASTDR seemed to dismiss the communities complaining about side-effects of the air. It's disheartening that the EPA seems to look out for corporations and certain areas over others. There needs to be more data and research put into this community. However, UAB has attempted to help and gather research, but the Clean Air Initiative was dismantled. They speculate it was wealthy board members halting funding due to their relationship with the polluting corporations. This video illustrates how most things serve the wealthy. The families in these communities tend to be lower-income so they cannot afford to pack up and move, so there is very little mobility for them. Considering Birmingham-Southern College is right near College Hills, so I am sure the pollution affects us as well. However, we are lucky that we only live here for four years and likely will get jobs outside of College Hills and leave the area. It is still scary that we could maybe experience health problems due to the proximity to these polluters. 
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    It was extremely disheartening to watch the residents wipe away the dust and dirt and with one wipe there whole rag was filthy. As a future educator, it is so important to me to give kids the opportunity to grow and learn in a safe environment which the city of Birmingham is not giving kids this opportunity because they are doing very little to regulate the situation. Kids should not have to worry about whether or not the air they are breathing is clean, and I feel like so many of these kids are worried about that while in school. I agree with you that it is scary knowing we are on the outskirts of College Hills. After watching this video and putting the pieces together of where College Hills was in relation to BSC, I suddenly got a lot more anxious about our health. 
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    I agree with your sentiment concerning the officials at the EPA and ASTDR. They seemed disinterested at best, dismissive at worst. This is an issue throughout many government organizations, and it is time that people demand their local, state, and federal officials are held to higher standards.