Oak Creek Public Library Multi-Purpose Room, 8040 S 6th St, Oak Creek

CONTACT: Dana LaFontsee, 262.888.0231, [email protected]

Oak Creek, WI — The Clean Power Coalition of Southeast Wisconsin is hosting a community discussion featuring local doctors and impacted residents to discuss coal’s harmful health impacts. Earlier this month, test results confirmed that black dust found covering homes, cars, and yards in several Oak Creek neighborhoods was coal dust from We Energies’ nearby power plants. Coal contains toxic metals including lead, mercury, and arsenic. The health effects of inhalable particulate matter include aggravation of asthma, respiratory symptoms, an increase in hospital emissions, and increased mortality from cardiovascular and respiratory diseases and lung cancer. Speakers at the event will discuss these health issues in-depth and cover a history of these issues around the coal plants in Oak Creek.

What: Community discussion featuring local doctors, affected residents, and air quality advocates. Hosted by the Clean Power Coalition of Southeast Wisconsin.

Who: Coal plant neighbors, We Energies customers, concerned parents and community members, clean energy and climate activists.

Dr. Michael Ganz is a doctor who has over 30 years of experience working with asthma and allergy patients. He has treated a number of patients living near the Oak Creek power plants for respiratory issues.

Kelly Nichols is the Midwest Community Organizer for Moms Clean Air Force. Moms Clean Air Force is a national movement of more than 1,000,000 moms — and dads too! — who are protecting our children’s right to clean air.

Dr. Ann Behrmann is a recently retired pediatrician for Group Health Cooperative of South Central Wisconsin, a Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics for the UW-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health and Adjunct Faculty for the Center for South Asia. She works on environmental health issues with the Wisconsin Environmental Health Network.

Frank Michna is a resident who lives near the Oak Creek power plants. His great, great grandfather was a Bohemian immigrant who homesteaded 40 acres in the area south of the plants. Frank was 8 years old when the first power plant went on line. Since that time, his family has experienced chronic health problems.

When: Wednesday, March 21st, 2018, 6 – 7:30 p.m.

Where: Oak Creek Public Library Multi-Purpose Room, 8040 S 6th St, Oak Creek, WI 53154

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