Transgender rights in the spotlight and rating the air we breathe

The Eastern Lancaster County school board has found itself under scrutiny for a recently approved ‘biological sex’ policy.

The policy for bathroom and locker room use highlights a public debate over transgender rights in a district with more than 3100 students.

Joining Thursday’s Smart Talk to discuss how the school district policy evolved and the subsequent community debate is PA Post reporter Ed Mahon.

Also, when it comes to grading the air we breathe, there’s some good news and some bad news.

First the good news. Particle pollution in 2019 improved over 2018 numbers in the Lancaster-Harrisburg-York-and Lebanon areas. The bad news? The report still placed the cities on the list of the 25 most polluted by particles or soot in the nation.

The American Lung Association’s State of the Air 2019 report was released this week. It states that while region’s pollution levels may meet the national air quality standards, no threshold exists for the harmful effects from particle pollution.

Meanwhile, the number of high ozone days — which are driven by heat — has increased locally.

Appearing on Smart Talk to discuss the State of the Air 2019 report is Kevin M. Stewart, Director, Environmental Health Advocacy and Public Policy, The American Lung Association of the Mid-Atlantic.

Finally, WITF’s Transforming Health will examine the history of mental illness – its affect on our children and schools and the entrenched stigma connected to mental disorders.

Transforming Health: A History of Mental Illness will look back at the history of mental illness in Pennsylvania, which includes the rise and fall of institutionalized care and the continuing closure of state hospitals. The program will air on April 24 at 8pm on WITF-TV.