Nurses Rally at EPA Hearing, Champion Public Health

Clean air is a human right. This was the call of California Nurses Association RNs who joined environmental activists at a public hearing held by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency at the state capitol on Monday, Feb. 2, regarding the EPA’s new proposed ozone standard. CNA welcomed the EPA’s proposed reduction to smog limits, but called on the EPA to go further in adopting an even more stringent standard to improve the health and quality of life for millions of Americans.

While the EPA’s new standard would strengthen the current 75 parts per billion (ppb) to a standard of 65 ppb to 70 ppb, nurses warn of dangers to public health for anything over 60 ppb and demands more transformative action to protect the next generation. Matthew Elliott, RN, of Kaiser South Sacramento, spoke on behalf of all RNs—who know only too well the negative impact of the climate crisis on patient health—about the need to confront and tackle air pollution in our communities.

“You don’t need a medical professional to tell you that air is a fundamental part of life. We need it not just to survive, but to enjoy a long-lasting, fulfilling life,” said Elliott.

During a lunch break rally, 50 nurses marched down J Street in red scrubs and surgical masks, chanting, “Clean air is health care!” Nurses were joined by over 100 students from across California, along with around a dozen community, religious, and environmental groups, to denounce industry efforts to loosen air quality standards.

“As an ICU nurse, I regularly care for patients suffering from the life-threatening results of chronic pulmonary diseases. These diseases are both caused and aggravated by ozone levels above 60 parts per billion,” Elliot said. 

California Nurses Association/National Nurses United consistently campaigns for environmental justice, playing a leading role in opposing the Keystone XL pipeline, protesting the Detroit water shut-off, and actively participating in the United Nations Climate Change Summit in Peru. 

CNA will file final written public comments regarding the EPA standards in March.