Earth and Habitat (Commonwealth Union) _ Bernice Ramos, a 75-year-old asthmatic, should not be out in blistering heat, yet she finds herself marching through her neighbourhood to protest the coal dust from Curtis Bay’s open-air export terminal. Despite her health, Ramos, who turns 76 this July, is resolute in fighting the daily coal dust that covers everything in her community. “I’ve been in this neighbourhood for 22 years. And coal dust is everywhere. You’ve got to clean everything off before you can even sit down. I have asthma. And this affects me,” she explained.
Mid-sentence, Ramos was interrupted by a coughing fit, instinctively reaching for the inhaler in her back pocket—a routine necessity for asthma sufferers. “I have to carry my inhaler with me 24/7, not knowing when I might need it,” she added, displaying the medication bottle.
Ramos joined numerous Curtis Bay residents rallying on a scorching June afternoon, organized by local community groups protesting government inaction against pollutants, particularly from the CSX-operated coal piers. The 50 protesters, including residents, activists, and advocates, marched from the Curtis Bay Recreation Center to the nearby CSX coal pier, their chants mingling with police sirens and the whirring of a helicopter overhead.
Undeterred by the harsh sun and truck pollution, the demonstrators carried placards and banners demanding an end to the coal operations in Curtis Bay. They called on the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) to deny CSX’s operating permit or enforce stricter pollution controls. Workers from the National Lawyers Guild documented police conduct as local law enforcers steered the procession, diverting diesel-burning trucks that add to the area’s pollution.
Thomas Vanskiver, a 23-year-old resident, joined the march, sharing his frustration: “We have coal dust in our pools, on our cars the day after we wash them. We’ve tried contacting CSX to do something about it. They say they’ll do something and nothing ever gets done.” His family has been complaining about the coal dust since the 1970s. “My aunt contracted lung cancer, and we don’t know if it was from this pollution. So many other families have similar stories,” he said.
A CSX spokesperson insisted their coal pier operations adhere to strict standards, highlighting investments in technology and practices that exceed regulatory requirements. Despite these claims, Nicole Fabricant, a Towson University professor and environmental activist, cited a study revealing PM2.5, PM10, and black carbon in Curtis Bay, attributing these pollutants to the coal piers. The study, a collaboration between community nonprofits, MDE, and Maryland universities, showed coal dust reaching three-quarters of a mile into the community.
The protest aimed to urge the MDE to impose stringent pollution control requirements in CSX’s new operating permit. Fabricant expressed doubt about MDE’s commitment, pointing out the agency’s extended review process and the temporary permit extension allowing CSX to continue operations.
As the rally reached the CSX facility, protesters attached banners to the fence, calling for the company to cease operations. Residents shared their experiences and frustrations, particularly with CSX’s dismissal of the citizen-led research findings. Greg Sawtell, an organizer, lamented that CSX continues to deny its operations’ potential harm to nearby communities.
The march returned to the recreation centre, urging city and state authorities to protect public health from industrial pollution. Exhausted but resolute, Ramos stepped aside to catch her breath. “I love being outside, but the pollution makes it hard. It’s affecting everybody—kids, elderly people like myself,” she said. “I love my neighbourhood and my friends. I’m not even supposed to be out here in this rally. But enough is enough. Mayor Scott, please do something. I want to be able to breathe.”
