Kicking Their "Asthma" Claims

There have been a number of allegations put forth by those opposed to improving Tweed-New Haven Regional Airport, one of which links Tweed's operations with increased cases of asthma.

(These parties also link the airport's operations to mental illness, and while I agree there is definitely mental illness on the East Shore, I disagree as to the cause.)

"The (New Haven) area has one of the highest asthma rates in the nation!", they say. Okay, let's explore that a little, shall we?

What are some of the causes of asthma?

According to the New Haven Asthma Initiative, there are many factors which can trigger asthma: Chronic dampness due to deteriorating housing, crowded urban dwellings, old broken appliances, excessive cold or scarce ventilation, dust, dust mites, cockroaches and rodent infestation, household pet dander, household chemicals, tobacco use, secondhand smoke and pollen. Even crime and pollution carried by the wind from out of state are possible culprits.

The NHAI goes on to say that residents in city centers are typically three to four times more likely to visit the emergency room with an asthma diagnosis than residents of outer suburban areas.

In addition, only 6% of adults in wealthy towns have asthma, while 16% of adults in cities like New Haven, Waterbury, Hartford and Bridgeport have it. And while 19% of adults earning less than $30,000 per year have asthma, only 9% of those earning $100,000 per year have it.

And yet, for all their concerns about "asthma", has anyone from the East Shore ever participated in asthma projects in the Hill, Dwight or Newhallville neighborhoods?

And just how bad are the asthma rates anyway?

In data posted on the State of Connecticut's webpage, a three-year combined asthma study was done, with data furnished by the Connecticut Inpatient Hospitalization and Emergency Department Visit Dataset.

In the period from 2020 to 2022, New Haven registered 3,611 Emergency Department visits for asthma. East Haven reported 356 visits, one-tenth of New Haven's total.

"Aha!", Tweed's foes will shout. "There it is! Evidence that the airport contributes to asthma!" Never mind that Waterbury had 3,624 cases and Bridgeport had 3,764 cases over the same period, neither city having scheduled airline service at their airports.

"Besides," they'll exclaim, "Tweed's impact goes as far out as 10 miles!" (Who says 10, who says 12.5, they really can't decide.)

All right, let's go back to the state's survey. If being near an airport can lead to asthma, then it's a sure bet that the town of Windsor Locks should be ground zero for asthma, since Bradley International Airport saw little in reduced air service over the period in question while Tweed was without commercial air service between American Airlines' departure and Avelo Airlines' entry.

Windsor Locks reported 67 cases.

67 cases in a town that is home to the second largest airport in New England. And nearby Granby reported even less: 27 cases.

So, let's ask ourselves this: How is it an airport such as Tweed, with 58 departures over the course of 7 days, is a risk to asthma, while Bradley, with 434 departures over the same period, is not?

And are core city residents living in housing that was built decades ago really going to believe that an airport miles away is the cause of their asthma woes?

Am I saying that Tweed doesn't contribute to asthma? No. What I am saying is that there are many factors that can contribute to asthma, and that being near an airport such as Tweed may or may not be a factor, especially with I-95 and Route 1 in close proximity.

Now, if the denizens living around Tweed are really that concerned about "asthma", then I think the residents of New Haven's inner-city neighborhoods would gladly welcome their help in dealing with the causes listed above.