HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) — The Harris County Public Health Department has released a new report highlighting the five areas most affected by air pollution. According to the report, Harris County ranks highest in Texas in terms of pollution sources related to health risks.
One of those neighborhoods is Independence Heights, where friends Natasha Johnson and John Branch have lived for 60 years.
“We raised our kids here. Our parents raised us here. It's a growing community, a diverse community, a loving community,” Johnson said.
They celebrated when grandchildren were born and comforted each other when their health deteriorated.
“I beat one cancer and then I got another. Doctors say, 'You smoke,' and I say, 'Yeah, but what am I smoking?'” Branch said.
A report from the Harris County Health Department said the air Branch and others are breathing is not good.
Independence Heights is one of five neighborhoods — along with Settegast, Baytown, Channelview and Galena Park — that the Harris County Health Department has cited for having the highest levels of air pollutants linked to the respiratory illnesses and cancers that Johnson and Branch have been diagnosed with.
“There are a few reasons why I've had cancer twice in my life,” Branch said.
The five affected communities were also noted to be low-income and minority, highlighting disparities related to air pollution and exposure in Harris County.
Johnson and Branch said grandparents, children and grandchildren all have health issues, and their experiences and difficulties dealing with these issues create problems of their own.
“That's very worrying. And we don't have the resources. A lot of hospitals are far away and when you get to the hospital, the first thing they ask is, 'Do you have insurance? Do you have money to pay for this?' You know? To me, if people are sick, you should treat them and then worry about paychecks,” Branch said.
Branch believes zoning laws and land rights restrictions could have prevented this from happening generations ago, but he feels that time has passed. The report is a call to action, calling for federal, state and local governments to enact policies to limit air pollution and give these communities a brighter future.
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