Our kids don’t deserve asthma. They deserve clean air. They deserve the chance to play outdoors.

But kids don’t get to pick how clean their air is…and in my state, Rhode Island, where air pollution is high, more than 1 out of every 10 has asthma.

The truth is we live downwind from other states whose air-polluting smokestacks – some as tall as the Empire State building – dump pollution onto Rhode Island and expose our kids to air toxins every day. Indeed, yesterday was a "bad air day" in Rhode Island for that reason.

This means our kids are risking exposure to toxins like mercury, which has been found to impair brain development, and chemicals that have been linked to asthma attacks… just by stepping outside.

I know that the MomsRising.org community understands that we have to stand up for our kids and clean air - and right now, we have a chance to do just that.

For the first time in 15 years, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is scheduled to update ozone air quality standards.

What’s more, they are scheduled to finalize two other rules, which would prevent out-of-state polluters from exporting their mercury, dioxin, and acid gases into Rhode Island - or any state for that matter - without penalty.

But some Members of Congress are arguing that the EPA should put off these critical changes.

Our kids can’t afford to wait. Any parent who’s seen their child struggle for breath knows that the costs of waiting are just too great…

Will you join me in letting the EPA know that we’re ready for our kids to have clean air?

Share your story about asthma, kids, and clean air to keep encouraging the EPA to update air quality standards.

We can't allow special interests in Washington to endanger the health of our children. As a parent, as a Senator, I’m committed to fighting for the health of our kids – and I hope you’ll join me in giving our kids a voice in Washington by sharing your story.

Sincerely,

U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)

P.S. I hope you’ll share your thoughts with me on this critical moment for clean air on Facebook and on Twitter @SenWhitehouse