Rejection of Post-Hurricane Harvey Air Pollution Monitoring “Part of a Disturbing Trend of Willful Ignorance”

Statement of EDF Senior Health Scientist Elena Craft – March 5, 2019

“EPA and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality knew air pollution was one of the unseen dangers of Hurricane Harvey, but according to news reports they deliberately chose not to use every available tool to discover it. Their rejection of NASA’s plan to fly a pollution-spotting plane over Houston after the storm is an abdication of responsibility and part of a disturbing trend of willful ignorance. Their action caused unnecessary risk to the health and safety of Texas families.”

- Elena Craft, EDF senior health scientist

One of the world’s leading international nonprofit organizations, Environmental Defense Fund (edf.org) creates transformational solutions to the most serious environmental problems. To do so, EDF links science, economics, law, and innovative private-sector partnerships. With more than 3 million members and offices in the United States, China, Mexico, Indonesia and the European Union, EDF’s scientists, economists, attorneys and policy experts are working in 28 countries to turn our solutions into action. Connect with us on Twitter @EnvDefenseFund

Media Contact

Matt Tresaugue
713-392-7888