The Southeast side of Chicago has been dealing with the issue of pollution for decades now, being affected by petcoke, black dust, manganese, and lead. The once booming steel industry area has become a poisonous dwelling for about "20,000 people, including 1,730 children age 5 and younger..." (Chicago Tribune). These pollutants are dangerous and have been affecting our community's health for far too long. According to the U.S Environmental Protection Agency, manganese and lead are brain-damaging metals that have the greatest effect on the developing brain of children. Companies and facilities such as S.H. Bell and Watco have made our community an unsafe place for our kids to grow up in. It is time that we demand more regulations and hold the companies accountable. Organizations such as the Southeast Side Coalition to Ban Petcoke and Southeast Environmental Task have done so much already, but it is time that the rest of the community (& city) join the cause! There is power in numbers, the more people demanding change, the more successful we will be in contacting and pushing our officials and environmental government agencies to create lasting results for our futures.