A new analysis by the Clean Air Task Force, a group of more than two dozen environmental and public health organizations, quantifies the health effects of smog pollution. It estimates 30 thousand summertime asthma attacks sideline Ohio kids. Janice Nolen with the American Lung Association says oil and gas production is the primary cause of the problem. Nolan says more than nine million tons of methane and other pollutants are released each year by the industry, contributing to the formation of smog.
Suzanne Fortuna is a pediatric nurse practitioner in Lake County. Her 10-year-old son has asthma, and she says every day, she sees kids struggle with the effects of air pollution.
The report says the health effects will be felt the strongest in Columbus, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dayton and other densely-populated areas of Ohio. There are more than 90-thousand oil and gas wells, compressors and processors in Ohio, and the state ranks sixth overall for the related health effects.
