Joan Picone, NWF Project Consultant, Clean Air Campaign, Ohio 11 

EPA-HQ-OAR-2011-0660 

Good afternoon, my name is Joan Picone. I am a lifelong resident of Canton, Ohio and 

work in the community of Stark and Summit Counties on behalf of the National Wildlife 

Federation, Clean Air Defense Campaign. Professionally, I have worked in business and 

public health. Today, I want to address the importance of the proposed carbon pollution 

standards for new power plants through the health lens. 

According to the American Lung Association's 2012 State of the Ait Report, Stark and 

Summit Counties-my home base-have a combined population of roughly 917,367 residents. 

,\loreover, they estimate that of half this population-456,364-are at greater health risks from 

ait pollution due to an existing diagnose of asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, 

cardiovascular disease, or diabetes. 

The Lung Association's report, released in late April, gave Stark and Summit Counties failing 

grades of "F" for ozone levels, while Stark received a poor grade of "D" and Summit a 

failing grade of "F" for 24-hour particle pollution levels. Recognizing Ohio is considered 

one of the dirtiest, polluting states, I would like to highlight what impact that has on the lives 

of two Ohioans. 

Recently, I learned that a dear, childhood friend, Patty, has been suffering from emphysema 

and COPD for sometime. She is frequently on oxygen but going outdoors, particularly, 

during ozone alerts days can be fatal to her. She is a grandmother so enjoying playtime with 

her grandkids outdoors is no longer an option. In another incidence, I have been in 

communication with a mother, ~ichole, whose son was diagnosed with pediatric asthma and 

receives on-going, weekly treatments in Akron. Sadly, his doctor now recommends that her 

child wear a mouth mask when venturing outdoors for any length of time. In both cases, 

simply stepping outside creates breathing risks for these individuals given the existence of 

unhealthy, polluted air. 

The National Wildlife Federation 2007 Gardner's Guide points out that global warming has 

increased Northern Ohio temperatures by 4" Fahrenheit over the last century. For residents 

living in the region, winter 2011-2012 was the warmest in 140 years according to the 
Joan Picone, NWF Project Consultant, Clean Air Campaign, Ohio 12 

EPA-HQ-OAR-2011-0660 

National Weather Service weather records. We know that with warming temperatures the 

threat of other health issues including heat-related deaths, illnesses and the spread of 

infectious diseases become real possibilities. 

With tbe rise of diabetes, in all age categories including youth, heat is a troublesome factor 

and can be life-threatening for this at risk group. My mother lived 36 years with this disease 

so I know first hand how her body reacted with the rise of smog related temperatures. 

Venturing outdoors during very warm days was limiting for her particularly as she aged. 

However, tbe rise in outdoor temperatures and living without air conditioning created a 

medical challenge. Heat lessens one's desire to eat and this was true for my mother who was 

insulin dependent. Often this combination would send her body into a severe insulin 

reaction state and weakening her quality of life. Image our youth of today, going through 

similar health circumstances simply because the climate is warming at the hands polluters. 

Ohioans, along with the nation, continue to be exposed to air pollution levels that are 

dangerous to one's health. The proposed CPA carbon pollution standards for new power 

plants arc another step in the right direction and one I and the National Wildlife Federation 

fully support. 

Thank vou for vour time. 

Joan Picone 

joan.picone@yahoo.com 

Home: 330-455-4287 
Joan Picone, NWF Project Consultant, Clean Air Campaign, Ohio 11 

EPA-HQ-OAR-2011-0660 

Good afternoon, my name is Joan Picone. I am a lifelong resident of Canton, Ohio and 

work in the community of Stark and Summit Counties on behalf of the National Wildlife 

Federation, Clean Air Defense Campaign. Professionally, I have worked in business and 

public health. Today, I want to address the importance of the proposed carbon pollution 

standards for new power plants through the health lens. 

According to the American Lung Association's 2012 State of the Air Report, Stark and 

Summit Counties-my home base-have a combined population of roughly 917,367 residents. 

Moreover, they estimate that of half this population-456,364-are at greater health risks from 

air pollution due to an existing diagnose of asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, 

cardiovascular disease, or diabetes. 

The Lung 1\ssociation's report, released in late April, gave Stark and Summit Counties failing 

grades of "F" for ozone levels, while Stark received a poor grade of "D" and Summit a 

failing grade of "F" for 24-hour particle pollution levels. Recognizing Ohio is considered 

one of the dirtiest, polluting states, I would like to highlight what impact that has on the lives 

of two Ohioans. 

Recently, !learned that a dear, childhood friend, Patty, has been suffering from emphysema 

and COPD for sometime. She is frequently on oxygen but going outdoors, particularly, 

during ozone alerts days can be fatal to her. She is a grandmother so enjoying playtime with 

her grandkids outdoors is no longer an option. In another incidence, I have been in 

communication with a mother, Nichole, whose son was diagnosed with pediatric asthma and 

receives on-going, weekly treatments in 1\kron. Sadly, his doctor now recommends that her 

child wear a mouth mask when venturing outdoors for any length of time. In both cases, 

simply stepping outside creates breathing risks for these individuals given the existence of 

unhealthy, polluted air. 

The National Wildlife Federation 2007 Gardner's Guide points out that global warming has 

increased Northern Ohio temperatures by 4" Fahrenheit over the last century. For residents 

living in the region, winter 2011-2012 was the warmest in 140 years according to the 
Joan Picone, NWF Project Consultant, Clean Air Campaign, Ohio 12 

EPA-HQ-OAR-2011-0660 

National Weather Service weather records. We know that with wanning temperatures the 

threat of other health issues including heat-related deaths, illnesses and the spread of 

infectious diseases become real possibilities. 

With the rise of diabetes, in all age categories inducting youth, heat is a troublesome factor 

and can be life-threatening for this at risk group. ev!y mother lived 36 years with this disease 

so I know ftrst hand how her body reacted with the rise of smog related temperatures. 

Venturing outdoors during very warm days was limiting for her particularly as she aged. 

However, the rise in outdoor temperatures and living without air conditioning created a 

medical challenge. Heat lessens one's desire to eat and this was true for my mother who was 

insulin dependent. Often this combination would send her body into a severe insulin 

reaction state and weakening her quality of life. Image our youth of today, going through 

similar health circumstances simply because the climate is wanning at the hands polluters. 

Ohioans, along with the nation, continue to be exposed to air pollution levels that are 

dangerous to one's health. The proposed EPA carbon pollution standards for new power 

plants are another step in the right direction and one I and the National Wildlife Federation 

fully support. 

Thank you for your time. 

foan Picone 

joan.picone@yahoo.com 

Home: 330-455-4287 
Joan Picone, NWF Project Consultant, Clean Air Campaign, Ohio 11 

EPA-HQ-OAR-2011-0660 

Good afternoon, my name is Joan Picone. I am a lifelong resident of Canton, Ohio and 

work in the community of Stark and Summit Counties on behalf of the National Wildlife 

Federation, Clean Air Defense Campaign. Professionally, I have worked in business and 

public health. Today, I want to address the importance of the proposed carbon pollution 

standards for new power plants through the health lens. 

According to the American Lung Association's 2012 State of the Air Report, Stark and 

Summit Counties-my home base-have a combined population of roughly 917,367 residents. 

Moreover, they estimate that of half this population-456,364-are at greater health risks from 

air pollution due to an existing diagnose of asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, 

cardiovascular disease, or diabetes. 

The Lung AssoCJatton's report, released m late April, gave Stark and Sumnut Counttes failing 

grades of "F" for ozone levels, while Stark received a poor grade of "D" and Summit a 

failing grade of "F" for 24-hour particle pollution levels. Recognizing Ohio is considered 

one of the dirtiest, polluting states, I would like to highlight what impact that has on the lives 

of two Ohioans. 

Recently, I learned that a dear, childhood friend, Patty, has been suffering from emphysema 

and COPD for sometime. She is frequently on oxygen but going outdoors, particularly, 

during ozone alerts days can be fatal to her. She is a grandmother so enjoying playtime with 

her grandkids outdoors is no longer an option. In another incidence, I have been in 

communication with a mother, Nichole, whose son was diagnosed with pediatric asthma and 

receives on-going, weekly treatments in Akron. Sadly, his doctor now recommends that her 

child wear a mouth mask when venturing outdoors for any length of time. In both cases, 

simply stepping outside creates breathing risks for these individuals given the existence of 

unhealthy, polluted air. 

The National Wildlife Federation 2007 Gardner's Guide points out that global warming has 

increased Northern Ohio temperatures by 4" Fahrenheit over the last century. For residents 

living in the region, winter 2011-2012 was the warmest in 140 years according to the 
Joan Picone, NWF Project Consultant, Clean Air Campaign, Ohio 12 

EPA-HQ-OAR-2011-0660 

National Weather Service weather records. We know that with warming temperatures the 

threat of other health issues including heat-related deaths, illnesses and the spread of 

infectious diseases become real possibilities. 

With the rise of diabetes, in all age categories including youth, heat is a troublesome factor 

and can be life-threatening for this at risk group. My mother lived 36 years with this disease 

so I know first hand how her body reacted with the rise of smog related temperatures. 

Venturing outdoors during very warm days was limiting for her particularly as she aged. 

However, the rise in outdoor temperatures and living without air conditioning created a 

medical challenge. Heat lessens one's desire to eat and this was true for my mother who was 

insulin dependent. Often this combination would send her body into a severe insulin 

reaction state and weakening her quality of life. Image our youth of today, going through 

similar health circumstances simply because the climate is warming at the hands polluters. 

Ohioans, along with the nation, continue to be exposed to air pollution levels that are 

dangerous to one's health. The proposed EP1\ carbon pollution standards for new power 

plants are another step in the right direction and one I and the National Wildlife Federation 

fully support. 

1 hank you for your time. 

Joan Picone 

joan.piconc@yahoo.com 

Home: 330-455-4287