When we talk about pollution, it's not just industry and power plants that shoulder the blame. We all contribute to the hazards that cause cancer, lung and heart problems.
“This is the part I hate…just sitting here.”
Danny Dorrough logs about 150 miles a week driving to work on Highway 280, and he has plenty of company.
Danny Patterson of Alabama Partners for Clean Air said, “There's over a million cars registered in Jefferson and Shelby County driving over 25 million miles per day.”
Take traffic on 280. It's gone up 40% in the past five years. Car pooling would help, but this park and ride lot on 280 is empty.
Wade Moore drives 280. He said, "People have to go to work. Most people aren't going to do anything to inconvenience themselves."
Alabama Partners for Clean Air is trying to jump-start interest in car pooling with cash incentives. It's also paying people to make sure their vehicles are releasing as few toxic emissions as possible.
"It's a voucher for 80% up to a $1,000 for emissions repairs only. It cleans up the air but it also gives you better gas mileage."
It’s a free program that's making believers out of skeptics like Wade Moore.
"That little trip to get an oil change is going to save me about $550,” said Moore.
Cars that burn cleaner fuels and are more fuel efficient are slowly gaining ground.
Dr. Jeremy Sarnat of Emory University said, “I think there has to be a realization on behalf of every person that on some level they are also contributing to the urban air pollution mix.”
A mix that's proving costly on several fronts…our health and financial outlooks are riding on better air quality.
“It cost us $5 billion of economic investment. Mercedes and Honda could not come into Jefferson and Shelby counties and we lost 11,000 jobs that could have come to the community,” said Patterson.
And as the clean air standards are tightened, we could lose federal highway dollars. But for many in the Birmingham area, the air pollution problem is about more than money and jobs. It's about breathing clean air.
"It's not healthy for you, it's really not healthy. Cause when you leave from around here, you do better. When you come back, colds and stuff from the chemicals, it's bad," said Norma Hines, who lives in north Birmingham.
Is it bad enough for the public to take action? The jury is still out.
Diesel emissions are another huge concern for the EPA. Government research shows exhaust from big trucks and school buses are likely causes of cancer in humans.
