Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar
Air Pollution Kills
RECEIVED Fri., June 16, 2006
Dear Editor,
I have this nightmare. It's summer, and it's been 100+ degrees for over a week. A high-pressure system has positioned itself over Texas and has been holding for days. It is projected that the system is going to stay put. No rain in the forecast. No fronts in sight. We've been having "Orange" days for a couple of weeks, but yesterday and today for the first time in Austin's history, we're having "Red" days. People have been reported to be collapsing on the streets. Infants are being rushed to hospital emergency rooms, but they are full. The news is telling us to "stay indoors," but no one listens. They have errands to run, jobs to get to, and meetings to attend. They think they are invincible to the silliness about air pollution. Our indoor air filters are getting clogged, and even healthy people are noticing the effects. The city is considering a "State of Emergency."
I wake up coughing and wheezing. It was just a bad dream.
This time.
The World Health Organization estimates that 3 million people die each year due to air pollution. Newer studies show that number could be much higher.
I have this nightmare. It's summer, and it's been 100+ degrees for over a week. A high-pressure system has positioned itself over Texas and has been holding for days. It is projected that the system is going to stay put. No rain in the forecast. No fronts in sight. We've been having "Orange" days for a couple of weeks, but yesterday and today for the first time in Austin's history, we're having "Red" days. People have been reported to be collapsing on the streets. Infants are being rushed to hospital emergency rooms, but they are full. The news is telling us to "stay indoors," but no one listens. They have errands to run, jobs to get to, and meetings to attend. They think they are invincible to the silliness about air pollution. Our indoor air filters are getting clogged, and even healthy people are noticing the effects. The city is considering a "State of Emergency."
I wake up coughing and wheezing. It was just a bad dream.
This time.
The World Health Organization estimates that 3 million people die each year due to air pollution. Newer studies show that number could be much higher.
Kelly Hayes
