Disclaimer: Picture provided by a friend and community member.

As we continue urging the West Lafayette City Council to vote NO on the SK hynix rezoning, it’s critical to spotlight one undeniable truth:

Air pollution doesn’t stop at the fence line.

According to UNICEF’s Children and Environmental Health initiative:

“Air pollution travels through the air and affects children far beyond its original source.”
– UNICEF Spotlight on Risk: Air Pollution

Placing a heavy industrial facility like a semiconductor packaging plant right next to homes, schools, parks, and daycares puts families—especially children—at long-term risk, even if the facility follows regulations.

 
Why This Matters — Especially for Children

• Children breathe faster and absorb more pollutants per pound of body weight than adults.
• Exposure to air pollution has been linked to asthma, impaired brain development, and long-term respiratory issues.
• Kids spend more time outdoors near home—playing, walking to school, and in parks—exactly the areas that would be most exposed if this rezoning is approved.
   

Construction Dust Is Just the Beginning

Air pollution risks don’t start when the plant opens—they start during construction.

• The land being considered is agricultural, which means construction could disturb soil containing fertilizer residues, releasing additional particles and chemicals into the air.
• Construction pollution (dust, diesel exhaust, fine particulates) will affect the neighborhood from day one.
• Once operational, the plant could release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other airborne industrial pollutants—cumulative exposure that builds over time.
   

Distance Is the Only Real Protection

There’s no buffer strong enough to contain pollution once it’s in the air.
Distance is the only protection.

West Lafayette has other areas more appropriate for heavy industry—far from homes and schools—yet a heavy industry zone is being pushed into the center of existing neighborhoods.

This is not just a zoning issue.
This is a public health issue.

 
Take Action Before April 7

• Sign or share the petition: https://www.change.org/Stop-heavy-industry-near-our-homes
• Email the Mayor (eeaster@westlafayette.in.gov) — ask her to recommend NO to the city council following the APC’s recommendation
• Reach out to City Council — ask them to follow the APC’s recommendation and vote NO on rezoning.
  District 1 - Laila Veidemanis: lveidemanis@westlafayette.in.gov
  District 2 - Michelle Dennis: mdennis@westlafayette.in.gov
  District 3 -Colin Lee: clee@westlafayette.in.gov
  District 4 - Larry Leverenz: lleverenz@westlafayette.in.gov
  District 5 - Kathy Parker: kparker@westlafayette.in.gov
  District 6 - Stacey Baitinger Burr: sburr@westlafayette.in.gov
  At Large - Iris O'Donnell Bellisario: ibellisario@westlafayette.in.gov
  At Large - James Blanco: jblanco@westlafayette.in.gov
  At Large - David Sanders: dsanders@westlafayette.in.gov

As one child’s sign said at the APC public hearing: 

“Do not sacrifice my health.”

Let’s keep West Lafayette the best place in the world—with clean air, safe neighborhoods, and our children in mind.