WHEREAS:

Thousands of public workers are subjected each day to volatile chemicals and industrial gases in the workplace that are damaging to their health; and

WHEREAS:

Hospital workers confront ethylene oxide, formaldehyde and anesthetic gases; and

WHEREAS:

Office and custodial workers encounter copy machine fumes, pesticides, insecticides and various high-strength cleaning materials; and

WHEREAS:

Road and park, auto and truck, and refuse workers come into contact with paints and solvents, carbon monoxide, diesel exhaust, gasoline vapors, lead and other toxic fumes; and

WHEREAS:

Wastewater treatment plant employees work in an environment containing hydrogen sulfide, chlorine, carbon monoxide and numerous flammable gases and vapors; and

WHEREAS:

These worksite pollutants once released into the air contribute to general air pollution; and

WHEREAS:

Great strides have been made over the last 15 years under the Clean Air Act to research, define and begin to contain large sources of air pollution; and

WHEREAS:

The experience and research over the last 15 years has taught us that small and mobile sources of air pollution will have to be reduced in order to restore healthy air quality in most of our more densely populated communities; and

WHEREAS:

The National Clean Air Coalition is leading the fight in Congress to retain important standards, deadlines and sanctions in current law; and

WHEREAS:

An important part of the Coalition's efforts are aimed directly at pollutants affecting road, park, auto and truck maintenance, wastewater and incinerator employees; and

WHEREAS:

The legislation supported by the National Clean Air Coalition would put pressure on polluters, including public employers, to reduce all toxic emissions and would assist AFSCME in its efforts across the nation to contain these toxic chemicals at the work site; and

WHEREAS:

The activities of the coalition will also contribute to the general health of AFSCME members, their families and the public as a whole.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That AFSCME support the efforts of the National Clean Air Coalition to protect and expand the Clean Air Act in Congress.

SUBMITTED BY:

Phyllis Zamarripa, Delegate and President
Jeanne Hall, Delegate and Secretary
Council 76
Denver, Colorado