<p> </p><p>On February 28, 2010 legendary Boston raised, Brooklyn based emcee Keith “Guru” Elams, member of the hip hop duo Gangstarr, was rushed to the hospital after suffering from cardiac arrest. For three weeks, Guru laid in a coma with his life in question. Fortunately Hiphopdx.com reported yesterday that Guru is out his coma and has been diagnosed with Anoxia, a breathing disorder that can be caused by severe asthma and carbon monoxide inhalation, which are both directly connected to air pollution. Guru’s publicist noted that Guru’s recent diagnosis with Anoxia may be related to the rapper’s history of severe asthma and lung disorders.</p><p>Guru’s respiratory issues that lead to his diagnosis is of no suprise to many in Guru’s hometown of Boston, Massachusetts. In 2007, ABC News 5 in Boston reported that Boston had the third highest level of diesel pollution in the country. Throughout Massachusetts this pollution leads to more than 450 premature deaths, 700 heart attacks and nearly 10,000 asthma attacks each year. Diesel pollution mainly comes from trucks and buses and contains carbon monoxide and a variety of toxic chemicals that enter the lungs through tiny particulate matter that congest airways and lungs leading to asthma, bronchitis, lung cancer, anoxia and other respiratory issues.</p><p>In Roxbury, the majority African-American community where Guru was raised, the levels of asthma and other environmental injustices are even higher. Some groups even argue that the disproportionate rates of environmental toxins in Roxbury may be due to the racial and economic make-up of the community. Non-Profit organizations such as Alternatives For Community and Environment (ACE) run programs to address the particular issues within Roxbury and the surrounding Boston Area. ACE’s youth focused initiative Roxbury Environmental Empowerment Program (REEP) engages area youth on the various aspects of environmental justice from pollution to having adequate public transportation.</p><p>To Read the full article and view a classic Gangstarr video visit Checktheweather.net </p><p>For more information on ACE and the REEP program click the link below. http://www.ace-ej.org/reep- Roxbury Environmental Empowerment Program</p><p> </p>
