Orange Route = Air Pollution

The EPA has cited Knox County for bad air quality, including the dreaded 2.5-micron particles emitted by diesel trucks. These tiny particles bypass our natural biological filtering systems and cause numerous health problems especially in children and the elderly. Write your elected officials today and tell them to stop the Orange Route!

Look at the triangle formed by I-40/75, the Pellissippi Parkway, and the proposed O-Route. Guess what is dead center: two schools down in a basin!

Guess where soot from diesels and cars will settle? And it won’t clear out – our region has one of the lowest wind rates  in the nation. Knoxville is already at the top for bad air, ranking #14 in the nation by the American Lung Association  and ranking  #11 in the nation for asthma by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.

TDOT has planned for the route to go down the middle of Hardin Valley and transit Bull Run Valley, Raccoon Valley, and Wolf Valley.  This topography will trap ultra small particles (PM2.5) emitted from diesel engines, and cause it to settle in the valleys. 

PM2.5 particles are so small they bypass the body’s natural filters, resulting in serious short term and long time health consequences to the residents and children, such as:

Aggravated asthma Increased respiratory symptoms Chronic bronchitis Increased respiratory and cardiovascular hospitalizations Decreased lung function in children Lung cancer Premature deaths
	These photos show a healthy lung air way (left) and an inflamed lung air way (right).

 

These health effects have been well documented, and this is a major reason why we must not allow this parkway to be built.  TDOT needs to select a safer location. Write your elected officials today and tell them to stop the Orange Route!