Driving home from Durango recently, my husband and I were enveloped by the haze known as smog that surrounds Cortez and the entire valley.
In 2016 NASA scientists confirmed a “hot spot” of methane emissions in the Four Corners region.”Methane specifically contributes to smog, which causes asthma attacks, respiratory problems, permanent lung damage, and can lead to death.”
My asthma has gotten worse since moving here, and I’ve seen more people than anywhere I’ve ever lived using oxygen because of impaired lungs.
Methane smog can be seen as haze from Towaoc into Shiprock. Smog forming compounds and carcinogens like benzene and other toxic pollutants, along with methane, have been linked to cancer, respiratory disease, and neurological damage.
My respiratory health has been severely impacted by air quality in Cortez and the Four Corners area. Children are far more impacted by this smog than adults.
The Methane Rule was enacted to curb these harmful emissions and must not be overturned by our members of Congress so oil, gas and coal industries can make larger profits.
We can not let that happen.
Phyllis Mains
Cortez