Bryant interview on air pollution featured in states across mid-west and eastern coast

Councilman Bryant's interview with Moms Clean Air Force on the effects of air pollution; was featured in several key states and included New York, Illinois, Iowa, New Jersey, Maryland, Florida and Ohio. Bryant who has asthma, is working to strengthen a partnership with the White House on the initiative to improve air quality.
 
Although the U.S. Supreme Court recently put a hold on White House efforts to regulate certain emissions; Bryant says this is not an issue that people can afford to give up.
 
“With this being an election year and Congressional approval ratings at an all-time low; there’s not going to be a fast-track toward lowering emissions. It’s something that we’re going to have to work on in partnership with both the current and hopefully, with the next presidential administration. But, we can’t put this off either. We have to move forward on important environmental issues, such as air quality.”
 
On the effects of air pollution, Bryant told reporters,
 
“I cannot help but to think about the children in Mansfield who have asthma and other respiratory concerns. There are many children in our country and throughout Ohio who cannot afford a rescue inhaler. Without an inhaler and in the event that a child or adult has an asthma flair-up or attack, it can become a life threatening situation.”
 
Bryant has been in partnership with several organizations focused on improving air quality and has met with members of Moms Clean Air Force, Sierra Club, the Ohio Environmental Council and the Blue Green Alliance.
 
“These organizations represent millions of Americans who are concerned about the levels of pollution in their air and water.”
 
Bryant said he was first contacted by City of Mansfield Charter Commission chairman, David Scott and Moms Clean Air Force organizer, Laura Burns.
 
“David called me in June 2015 and asked if I’d be interested in meeting with environmental advocates to discuss issues on air quality. I was more than happy to do the meetings because of my own experiences in having asthma.”
 
“There was a time when I didn’t have health insurance and couldn’t afford a rescue inhaler. During asthma attacks, I tried countless home remedies to avoid going to the emergency room. At one point I almost lost my life from one of these attacks. Now that I’m older and in a position to take a stance that matters; it’s important that I join the fight against unnecessary pollution to our environment.”
 
What is asthma?
Asthma is a disease of the lungs and the air tubes leading to them. It causes the walls of the bronchioles, the tiny airways in the lungs, to swell and produce mucus so that the sufferer has difficulty in breathing.The bands of muscle around the outside of the bronchioles also tighten, adding to the blockage of air. The bronchioles of many people who have asthma are more sensitive than normal to one or more triggers, ranging from environmental pollutants, dust mites, and animal fur, to variety of other items.
 
More information on asthma, including treatment information, can be found by visiting the American Lung Association website http://www.lung.org/lung-health-and-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/asthma/ and by contacting your local physician.
 
For more information on air quality and to speak with a local organizer with Moms Clean Air Force visit: http://www.momscleanairforce.org/author/lauramichelleburns/