The regulation that governs Philadelphia’s toxic air pollutants was written in 1981, and hasn’t changed in over 40 years! This year, the city is finally updating their guidelines, and residents have until Friday, September 9 to submit comments on the proposed changes.

Some of the proposed amendments are positive: Air Management Services (AMS) is expanding the list of regulated air pollutants from 99 to 217, and major pollution sources will have new requirements for standardized risk assessment.

However, other changes will be dangerous to already-polluted communities. The new regulations will not apply to 93% of the city’s pollution sources. They don’t require fenceline monitoring of hazardous air pollutants, and they allow polluters to self-report rather than having city inspectors on-site to monitor air pollution.

You can submit a comment to Benjamin Hartung (benjamin.hartung@phila.gov) to encourage stronger, safer pollution regulations and cleaner air for Philadelphia. To read sample talking points developed by Neighbors Against the Gas Plants, visit https://www.neighborsagainstthegasplants.com/calender.