9.382 NEEDED
The
environment we live in is already extremely polluted. Toxic chemicals floating
in the air we breathe, rivers full of waste from the farms, city skies covered
in smog. Pollution harms any ecosystem, but we should also be aware that humans
are a target too. Exposures that last for extended periods of time lead to
numerous diseases. The most common are chronic respiratory problems as well as
lung cancer. And all these just by breathing on a daily basis.
Carbon
monoxide is a gas which can be found in any system that contains combustion
engines (the most common systems are represented by the well-known vehicles).
However, the gas is toxic to animals and humans.
To prevent
any leaking of carbon monoxide, emissions tests are conducted. Unfortunately,
they should be done with a higher frequency. A fatal car accident destroyed two
families. That’s when emissions tests were beginning to be called into
question. Were they legitimate or not? What seemed to be a common ride to the
local mall, ended with the doom of a teenager. The father of the girl declared:
“In 2015, my wife and I lost our daughter, Savannah. She was with her
boyfriend, heading to the mall like a typical teenager when Savannah suddenly
passed out. Her boyfriend tried to go to the hospital, but he too passed out.
Only one of them ever woke upâ€. Moreover, Savannah’s boyfriend, Jesse Hurt,
said that “We made it half way down 40 and she told me she had a headacheâ€. In
no time, Savannah lost consciousness and her boyfriend decided to head for the
hospital until he also passed out: “The last thing I remember is my phone just
dropped out of my hands and my eyes just shuttingâ€.
At this
point, after only one of the two woke up, Jesse Hurt, the causes of the
accident were unknown. After the toxicology results came out, both of the
families were in shock. Savannah’s father said that “They were both overcome
with carbon monoxide poising. Basically, she went to sleep because of the
odorless carbon monoxideâ€. A simple emissions test would have detected the
issue and prevented her passing, but the test wasn’t conducted at all.
Savannah’s Law requires all cars on
the road to get a proper emissions test. The law has been proposed by the
girl’s parents. From the beginning of 2016, her family is collecting signatures
so that the law can be passed.
Loss of
life could have easily been prevented. Don’t let this happen to anybody else!
Sign the petition and be part of the movement called Savannah’s Law.