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Letters: Dangers of natural-gas air pollution

The recent study linking excess air pollution in Philadelphia to 126 deaths and 284 hospitalizations should be a wake-up call to our policymakers about the human toll of failing to enact strong environmental protections ("Study: Phila.'s bad air tied to 126 early deaths," Aug. 11).

ISSUE | AIR POLLUTION

Dangers of natural-gas emissions

The recent study linking excess air pollution in Philadelphia to 126 deaths and 284 hospitalizations should be a wake-up call to our policymakers about the human toll of failing to enact strong environmental protections ("Study: Phila.'s bad air tied to 126 early deaths," Aug. 11).

As a physician, I'm not surprised. The health hazards of ground-level ozone have been well-documented for some time. But we cannot fully address ozone without stopping air pollution from natural-gas infrastructure - something the Environmental Protection Agency is working to address. Natural-gas air pollution includes compounds that, when exposed to heat, react with the air to form ozone. It also includes the potent greenhouse gas methane, which worsens climate change, leading to warmer weather and still more ozone.

Anyone concerned about public health must understand that cutting air pollution from natural-gas infrastructure is an urgent and essential task.

Dr. Pouné Saberi, board president, Physicians for Social Responsiblity, Philadelphia