Air pollution contributes to premature death, heart attacks, aggravated asthma, and reduced lung function. St. Louis has been in violation of the federal health-based air standard for ozone since 1979.
There is no safe level of exposure to lead. Lead poisoning has been occurring much longer and the rates continue to be higher in the northern section of the city and southern along highway 55.
Mold is expensive to remove, there are no legal standards for mold exposure, and landlords often refuse to do anything about it. Addressing mold is out of reach for many who are most affected by it.