Solutions for Pollution at Philadelphia City Hall

On January 20th Marie DeMarco, PSR PA’s Health Educator and Medical Advocacy Coordinator was asked to speak about her work surrounding health outcomes related to oil and gas drilling at Philadelphia’s City Hall with other environmental justice advocates. Speakers included council members, faith leaders and health advocates. The Solutions for Pollution Campaign calls on the Biden Administration to carry out responsibility for environmental laws by advancing 20 protections across federal agencies that could reduce climate pollution by 50% by 2030.

Marie discussed the incredible work done by PSR PA and emphasized that there is no safe or healthy way to frack. Marie referenced the Compendium published by Physicians for Social Responsibility National and Concerned Health Professionals of New York with Scientific, Medical, and Media Findings demonstrating risks and harms of oil and gas drilling which notes that more than 17.6 million US residents who live or work within a half mile of an active oil or gas well.

Marie was able to discuss the multiple negative health outcomes that are commonly associated with oil and gas drilling–reduced lung function, an increased prevalence of asthma, COPD, multiple cancers such as Acute Lymphatic Leukemia (ALL) and Ewing Sarcoma, reduced fertility outcomes, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, endometriosis and infertility. She also highlighted what populations are at the forefront of exposure in communities with oil and gas drilling and illustrated how toxic chemicals come into contact with these communities.

Through this event Marie was able to share the work of PSR PA while connecting with partner organizations Climate Action Campaign, Climate Action, Moms Clean Air Force, EHN, & PennFuture to hear about their work towards climate justice.