WV Can't Handle Chemical Spills; Pollution Measurements for Black Communities; Air Worse w/ Climate Change

US agency: West Virginia health officials can’t handle chemical incidents. West Virginia’s Department of Health and Human Resources lacks a program and properly trained staff to assess community-wide chemical exposures like those that followed the Elk River chemical leak in January, federal public health officials said in a new review made public Tuesday.

US EPA to require air pollution measurements in black communities. For the first time, the Environmental Protection Agency may require oil refineries to regularly measure the air quality at their perimeters. These fence line measurements will give surrounding communities – largely low-income communities of color – data on the level of pollution they are exposed to each day. 

Cities’ air problems only get worse with climate change. The threats from climate change are many but a lesser-known issue may hit especially close to home for city dwellers. In the world’s already smoggy metropolises, pollution is likely to grow worse, a phenomenon scientists have taken to calling the climate penalty.