Sophia T., AZ

Air quality is important to me because I have two girls ages 7 and 9 that need asthma medications twice every day to breathe. A year ago my 9-year-old came out of her room holding her throat mouthing that she couldn't breathe. I called 9-1-1, and they had her breathing oxygen and on the way to the hospital; it was the scariest moment in my life.

Later, I looked on the EPA Air Quality site and found out our air quality was poor that day and the three days prior. It makes a mother feel helpless to know the problem and not be able to fix it. I want my kids to breathe clean air. I don't think that is a lot to ask.

Clean air and water should be a basic human right. However, it is not that way unfortunately.