It’s time to start prioritizing the health of our school communities. In NYC, 244 schools are currently located within 500 feet of major roadways. The students attending these schools , many of whom are from marginalized black & brown communities, breathe in the toxic exhaust from nearby vehicles for more than 180 days each year. Over time, prolonged exposure to such pollution increases the likelihood of developing asthma, lung cancer, and other respiratory illnesses/diseases and may lead to other negative impacts, such as declining test scores, higher rates of behavioral incidents, and more absences. Children are particularly susceptible to air pollution because their respiratory systems are not yet fully developed, and children tend to breathe more rapidly.

This issue does not affect just the students. People who live and work near major roadways are also at a higher risk of respiratory health problems.

Our city legislators must advocate for the health and wellbeing of our students and their communities. They must recognize and address the dangerous circumstances that our students are placed in and start installing proper ventilation systems to protect the health of the students and ensure that our next generation is receiving the highest quality education possible. Sign this petition to support the cause!