MVCAC December 2008

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7 participants
13 discussions

Non-attainment for PM 2.5 (particulate matter)
by Duane330＠aol.com 28 Apr '09

28 Apr '09

EPA Makes Decision to Designate Areas Not Meeting Standards for Fine Particle Pollution Press Release: U.S. EPA. Date: 12/22/2008 Contact Information: Cathy Milbourn, (202) 564-4355 /7849/ Milbourn.Cathy(a)epa.gov (Washington, D.C. – Dec.22, 2008)EPA has notified 25 governors and 23 tribal leaders that certain areas in their states and tribal lands do not meet the agency’s daily standards for fine particle pollution, also known as PM 2.5. “These designations are an important step in our steady march toward cleaner air,” said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. “We will continue working with our state and tribal partners to meet these air quality standards.” EPA closely reviewed recommendations from states and tribes along with public comments before making its decision to designate 211 counties and parts of counties as not meeting EPA’s PM 2.5 standards. These areas, called nonattainment areas, include counties with monitors violating the standards and nearby areas that contribute to that violation. Affected states and tribes will be required to take steps to reduce the pollution that forms fine particles. The vast majority of U.S. counties and tribal lands are meeting these standards, but will need to continue working to maintain clean air. In 2006, EPA strengthened the 24-hour fine particle standards from 65 micrograms per cubic meter to 35 micrograms per cubic meter of air to protect public health. Nationwide, monitored levels of fine particle pollution fell 11 percent from 2000 to 2007. Fine particles can either be emitted directly, or they can form in the atmosphere from reactions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. Exposure to fine particle pollution can cause a number of serious health problems including aggravated asthma, increased hospital admissions and emergency room visits for respiratory and cardiovascular disease, heart attacks and premature death. More information on the designations: _http://www.epa.gov/pmdesignations/2006standards/index.htm_ (http://www.epa.gov/pmdesignations/2006standards/index.htm) >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 10 Southwestern Pa. counties cited for not reaching soot pollution standards Tuesday, December 23, 2008, By Don Hopey, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Ten southwestern Pennsylvania counties are among 211 counties and 23 Native American reservations across the nation designated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency yesterday as not meeting tighter federal health standards for fine particle soot pollution. Parts of Allegheny, Armstrong, Lawrence, Greene and Indiana, and all of Beaver, Butler, Washington, Westmoreland and Cambria counties were declared in "nonattainment" of the daily federal pollution standards for fine particulates. Also in nonattainment are seven counties around Philadelphia in the southeastern corner of the state, three around Harrisburg, two around Allentown and Lancaster County. Because of those designations, Pennsylvania and 24 other states containing counties not meeting the health standard must submit plans to the EPA detailing how they will reduce fine particle pollution or risk losing federal highway funding. Allegheny County and most of the other southwestern Pennsylvania counties struggled to meet less stringent health-based soot standards set in 1997. What's different for the fine particle standard set in 2006 is that the more polluted areas of some counties -- like Liberty-Clairton in Allegheny County -- have been carved out as nonattainment areas, while the remainder of the counties, where soot pollution readings are lower, can avoid the negative designation. "I think it's a good idea to back off the whole county designation. It allows us to concentrate our pollution reduction efforts in those areas where they are needed most," said Dr. Bruce Dixon, Allegheny County Health Department director. "From a health perspective, for many living in our county, airborne particulates are not the foremost pollutant," he said. "But in some areas of the Mon Valley where industry is concentrated, we need to recognize that it is." Dr. Dixon said U.S. Steel Corp.'s ongoing $1.2 billion coke oven replacement project at its Clairton Works will help the Liberty-Clairton area reduce soot levels and move that part of the Monongahela River Valley toward attainment of the federal standard. "It may even achieve the standard," he said. "But if not, we will look at reductions from other industry. We want every industry to make improvements to their processes that reduce pollution. Our first target date is 2010, so we have some time." The federal standard measures soot particles that are 2.5 micrometers in size, called PM 2.5 -- so small that several hundred could fit on the period at the end of this sentence. The fine particle pollution can be emitted directly from coal-burning power plants, other industrial sources or vehicles, or form in the atmosphere from chemical reactions involving sulfur dioxides and nitrogen oxides. Exposure to higher levels of such soot pollution can cause a number of serious health problems, including asthma, heart attacks and premature death, as well as increased hospital admissions and emergency room visits for respiratory and cardiovascular problems. The EPA designations culminate a two-year process that identified counties that failed to meet the 2006 standards and allowed states, tribal leaders, environmental groups and business and industry lobbyists to comment on the agency's proposed designations. The American Lung Association faulted the EPA for leaving five metropolitan areas and several counties with high air pollution off its nonattainment list for fine particles, saying it puts populations in those areas at risk. The five cities -- Houston, Texas; Augusta and Columbus, Ga.; Greenville, S.C.; and Fairmont, W.Va. -- all showed unhealthy year-round levels of soot pollution. In two of those cities, Columbus and Houston, fine particulate levels have worsened. "The Clean Air Act plainly requires the EPA to identify all the places where air pollution poses a threat to public health," said Paul Billings, American Lung Association vice president for national policy and advocacy. "The EPA has a responsibility to do more to protect public health when it comes to air pollution." The EPA said it "closely reviewed" recommendations from states and public comments before making its nonattainment designations. Don Hopey can be reached at _dhopey(a)post-gazette.com_ (mailto:dhopey@post-gazette.com) or 412-263-1983. First published on December 23, 2008 at 12:00 am **************One site keeps you connected to all your email: AOL Mail, Gmail, and Yahoo Mail. Try it now. (http://www.aol.com/?optin=new-dp&icid=aolcom40vanity&ncid=emlcntaolcom00000…)

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Meeting Wednesday, January 7
by Linda Shuster 30 Dec '08

30 Dec '08

There will be an MVCAC meeting on Wednesday, January 7 at the 7:00 pm. The location will be announced shortly.

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Re: [MVCAC] USA Today's Smokestack Website worth a peek
by Dfvet＠aol.com 30 Dec '08

30 Dec '08

Given the headline in today's DP, perhaps it is advisable to meet sooner rather than later. It would be good to piggyback on the DP front page story ( EPA flunks Mon County Air) with some press of our own. I will do my best to meet the week of the 4th if we can get enough heads together then. We have nays on Tuesday and Thursday, so how is Wednesday of that week for everyone? Who schedules a meeting room? Deb **************One site keeps you connected to all your email: AOL Mail, Gmail, and Yahoo Mail. Try it now. (http://www.aol.com/?optin=new-dp&icid=aolcom40vanity&ncid=emlcntaolcom00000…)

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Re: [MVCAC] USA Today's Smokestack Website worth a peek
by James Kotcon 28 Dec '08

28 Dec '08

This is some really cool information. Combined with the recent nonattainment desigantion,prehaps we ought to work this up nto some kind of publicity to better inform local officials. This ought to be an issue for the School Board. The data suggest that Easton Elementary and Mylan park Elementary have the owrst air quality of all schools in the County. While these represent outdoor air quality, they should certainly inform the need for and deplyment of additional air quality monitors. It is worth noting that all schools in mon Coiunty are in the bottom third in the nation in terms of air quality. Thanks Deb. JBK >>> <Dfvet(a)aol.com> 12/27/08 11:17 AM >>> Recently USA Today published results of its investigation into air quality in relation to schools. The first story focused primarily on the cancer hotspots and the link between air quality and disease in our youths. A second Special Report published December 22 described why children are physiologically more vulnerable than adults to the negative effects of air pollution. According to the website _www.smokestack.usatoday.com_ (http://www.smokestack.usatoday.com) , of the 128,000 schools listed, Mon County's 27 public schools ranged in the 22nd to 31st percentile in national rankings. For example, Mylan Park Elementary ranks in the 22nd percentile. The air is worse at 32,000 of the 128,000 USA schools. You can see a complete list of the rankings of Mon County Schools at this site:http://content.usatoday.com/news/nation/environment/smokestack/search/… USA Today special report takes the EPA to task for not attending to environmental health. Hope to see y'all soon. deb **************One site keeps you connected to all your email: AOL Mail, Gmail, and Yahoo Mail. Try it now. (http://www.aol.com/?optin=new-dp&icid=aolcom40vanity&ncid=emlcntaolcom00000…)

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USA Today's Smokestack Website worth a peek
by Dfvet＠aol.com 27 Dec '08

27 Dec '08

Recently USA Today published results of its investigation into air quality in relation to schools. The first story focused primarily on the cancer hotspots and the link between air quality and disease in our youths. A second Special Report published December 22 described why children are physiologically more vulnerable than adults to the negative effects of air pollution. According to the website _www.smokestack.usatoday.com_ (http://www.smokestack.usatoday.com) , of the 128,000 schools listed, Mon County's 27 public schools ranged in the 22nd to 31st percentile in national rankings. For example, Mylan Park Elementary ranks in the 22nd percentile. The air is worse at 32,000 of the 128,000 USA schools. You can see a complete list of the rankings of Mon County Schools at this site:http://content.usatoday.com/news/nation/environment/smokestack/search/… USA Today special report takes the EPA to task for not attending to environmental health. Hope to see y'all soon. deb **************One site keeps you connected to all your email: AOL Mail, Gmail, and Yahoo Mail. Try it now. (http://www.aol.com/?optin=new-dp&icid=aolcom40vanity&ncid=emlcntaolcom00000…)

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Re: [MVCAC] US EPA Designated Monongalia County [PM 2.5]
by Dfvet＠aol.com 26 Dec '08

26 Dec '08

Time for a MVCAC meeting? Jim has some great suggestions. Thank you, Jim. Deb **************One site keeps you connected to all your email: AOL Mail, Gmail, and Yahoo Mail. Try it now. (http://www.aol.com/?optin=new-dp&icid=aolcom40vanity&ncid=emlcntaolcom00000…)

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Re: [MVCAC] US EPA Designated Monongalia County [PM 2.5]
by James Kotcon 25 Dec '08

25 Dec '08

P.S. According to the EPA data, (available at: http://www.epa.gov/pmdesignations/2006standards/rec/letters/03_WV_EPAMOD.pdf) the largest "uncontrolled sources" contributing to Mon County nonattainment are the Fort Martin, and Hatfields Ferry power plants. Once scrubbers are installed at these two plants, the next largest contributing sources are the power plants in Marshall County (Kammer and Mitchell) ad the vehicle traffic in Monongalia County. Completion of the scruber installation at Fort Martin, Mitchell and and Hatfields Ferry, plus scrubber installation at Kammer, and an overall reduction of "Vehicle Miles Traveled" in Monongalia County should be our primary objectives. JBK >>> "Bill Reger-Nash" <wreger(a)hsc.wvu.edu> 12/24/08 5:53 PM >>> Duane et al, Thank you for disseminating this info. I would appreciate your lsuggestions about how and where to appropriately respond. Of course, local industries and many politicians will want to call the designation into question whereas we need to further publicize the health hazards associated with the conditons observed. Thoughts? Have a happy holiday all, and thank you for all you do on behalf of us all. Be well and continue to do good. Bill WV Walks - 30 minutes or more daily Feel the power of half an hour! Bill Reger-Nash, Ed.D Professor of Community Medicine West Virginia University School of Medicine Morgantown WV 26506-9190 Phone: 304/293-0763 Fax: 304/293-6685 Dept. web page: http://www.hsc.wvu.edu/som/cmed BRN's web page: http://www.hsc.wvu.edu/som/cmed/wreger/ >>> <Duane330(a)aol.com> 12/24/08 4:09 PM >>> West Virginia Charleston, WV Kanawha Putnam Kanawha Putnam Kanawha Putnam Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH Cabell Mason (p) Wayne Cabell Mason (p) Wayne Morgantown, WV Monongalia Monongalia Parkersburg-Marietta, WV-OH Pleasants Wood Pleasants (p) Wood Pleasants (p) Wood Steubenville-Weirton, OH-WV Brooke Hancock Brooke Hancock Brooke Hancock See the following web site.............. _http://www.epa.gov/pmdesignations/2006standards/regs.htm#3_ (http://www.epa.gov/pmdesignations/2006standards/regs.htm#3) **************One site keeps you connected to all your email: AOL Mail, Gmail, and Yahoo Mail. Try it now. (http://www.aol.com/?optin=new-dp&icid=aolcom40vanity&ncid=emlcntaolcom00000…) _______________________________________________ MVCAC mailing list MVCAC(a)cheat.org http://cheat.org/mailman/listinfo/mvcac

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Re: [MVCAC] US EPA Designated Monongalia County [PM 2.5]
by Bill Reger-Nash 25 Dec '08

25 Dec '08

Jim, Your comments are quite helpful. Thank you. Bill WV Walks - 30 minutes or more daily Feel the power of half an hour! Bill Reger-Nash, Ed.D Professor of Community Medicine West Virginia University School of Medicine Morgantown WV 26506-9190 Phone: 304/293-0763 Fax: 304/293-6685 Dept. web page: http://www.hsc.wvu.edu/som/cmed BRN's web page: http://www.hsc.wvu.edu/som/cmed/wreger/ >>> "James Kotcon" <jkotcon(a)wvu.edu> 12/25/08 11:42 AM >>> The designation will require the WV-DEP to propose a revisioon to the State Implementation Plan (SIP) within 3 years. The SIP will require emissions rductions adequate to return the area to "attainment" of the EPA Health Standard. Ultimately, this will require reductions in emissions of fine particulates, and the implementation of these reductions is to occur by 2014. The major source will be the Fort Martin power plant, which has >80 % of Mon County's emissions. I suspect that the addition of scrubbers at Fort Martin (already under construction) will dramatically reduce emissions, and DEP may argue that this will return the area to attainment. Useful steps at this point would be to prepare letters to the editor to announce this designation (I have not seen it published yet) as well as urging local officials to do more to protect human health. This is also an opportunity to point out the contributions from the unwise land use development currently occurring in Monongalia County. Some will seek to blame the expanding student population at WVU, however, their contribution while measurable, is relatively trivial compared to all the shopping malls, housing devlopments, and other developments. We need to keep our officials focussd on the real problems, rather than to blame convenient scapegoats like "students" or "environmentalists". JBK >>> "Bill Reger-Nash" <wreger(a)hsc.wvu.edu> 12/24/08 5:53 PM >>> Duane et al, Thank you for disseminating this info. I would appreciate your lsuggestions about how and where to appropriately respond. Of course, local industries and many politicians will want to call the designation into question whereas we need to further publicize the health hazards associated with the conditons observed. Thoughts? Have a happy holiday all, and thank you for all you do on behalf of us all. Be well and continue to do good. Bill WV Walks - 30 minutes or more daily Feel the power of half an hour! Bill Reger-Nash, Ed.D Professor of Community Medicine West Virginia University School of Medicine Morgantown WV 26506-9190 Phone: 304/293-0763 Fax: 304/293-6685 Dept. web page: http://www.hsc.wvu.edu/som/cmed BRN's web page: http://www.hsc.wvu.edu/som/cmed/wreger/ >>> <Duane330(a)aol.com> 12/24/08 4:09 PM >>> West Virginia Charleston, WV Kanawha Putnam Kanawha Putnam Kanawha Putnam Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH Cabell Mason (p) Wayne Cabell Mason (p) Wayne Morgantown, WV Monongalia Monongalia Parkersburg-Marietta, WV-OH Pleasants Wood Pleasants (p) Wood Pleasants (p) Wood Steubenville-Weirton, OH-WV Brooke Hancock Brooke Hancock Brooke Hancock See the following web site.............. _http://www.epa.gov/pmdesignations/2006standards/regs.htm#3_ (http://www.epa.gov/pmdesignations/2006standards/regs.htm#3) **************One site keeps you connected to all your email: AOL Mail, Gmail, and Yahoo Mail. Try it now. (http://www.aol.com/?optin=new-dp&icid=aolcom40vanity&ncid=emlcntaolcom00000…) _______________________________________________ MVCAC mailing list MVCAC(a)cheat.org http://cheat.org/mailman/listinfo/mvcac

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Re: [MVCAC] US EPA Designated Monongalia County [PM 2.5]
by James Kotcon 25 Dec '08

25 Dec '08

The designation will require the WV-DEP to propose a revisioon to the State Implementation Plan (SIP) within 3 years. The SIP will require emissions rductions adequate to return the area to "attainment" of the EPA Health Standard. Ultimately, this will require reductions in emissions of fine particulates, and the implementation of these reductions is to occur by 2014. The major source will be the Fort Martin power plant, which has >80 % of Mon County's emissions. I suspect that the addition of scrubbers at Fort Martin (already under construction) will dramatically reduce emissions, and DEP may argue that this will return the area to attainment. Useful steps at this point would be to prepare letters to the editor to announce this designation (I have not seen it published yet) as well as urging local officials to do more to protect human health. This is also an opportunity to point out the contributions from the unwise land use development currently occurring in Monongalia County. Some will seek to blame the expanding student population at WVU, however, their contribution while measurable, is relatively trivial compared to all the shopping malls, housing devlopments, and other developments. We need to keep our officials focussd on the real problems, rather than to blame convenient scapegoats like "students" or "environmentalists". JBK >>> "Bill Reger-Nash" <wreger(a)hsc.wvu.edu> 12/24/08 5:53 PM >>> Duane et al, Thank you for disseminating this info. I would appreciate your lsuggestions about how and where to appropriately respond. Of course, local industries and many politicians will want to call the designation into question whereas we need to further publicize the health hazards associated with the conditons observed. Thoughts? Have a happy holiday all, and thank you for all you do on behalf of us all. Be well and continue to do good. Bill WV Walks - 30 minutes or more daily Feel the power of half an hour! Bill Reger-Nash, Ed.D Professor of Community Medicine West Virginia University School of Medicine Morgantown WV 26506-9190 Phone: 304/293-0763 Fax: 304/293-6685 Dept. web page: http://www.hsc.wvu.edu/som/cmed BRN's web page: http://www.hsc.wvu.edu/som/cmed/wreger/ >>> <Duane330(a)aol.com> 12/24/08 4:09 PM >>> West Virginia Charleston, WV Kanawha Putnam Kanawha Putnam Kanawha Putnam Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH Cabell Mason (p) Wayne Cabell Mason (p) Wayne Morgantown, WV Monongalia Monongalia Parkersburg-Marietta, WV-OH Pleasants Wood Pleasants (p) Wood Pleasants (p) Wood Steubenville-Weirton, OH-WV Brooke Hancock Brooke Hancock Brooke Hancock See the following web site.............. _http://www.epa.gov/pmdesignations/2006standards/regs.htm#3_ (http://www.epa.gov/pmdesignations/2006standards/regs.htm#3) **************One site keeps you connected to all your email: AOL Mail, Gmail, and Yahoo Mail. Try it now. (http://www.aol.com/?optin=new-dp&icid=aolcom40vanity&ncid=emlcntaolcom00000…) _______________________________________________ MVCAC mailing list MVCAC(a)cheat.org http://cheat.org/mailman/listinfo/mvcac

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Re: [MVCAC] US EPA Designated Monongalia County [PM 2.5]
by Bill Reger-Nash 24 Dec '08

24 Dec '08

Duane et al, Thank you for disseminating this info. I would appreciate your lsuggestions about how and where to appropriately respond. Of course, local industries and many politicians will want to call the designation into question whereas we need to further publicize the health hazards associated with the conditons observed. Thoughts? Have a happy holiday all, and thank you for all you do on behalf of us all. Be well and continue to do good. Bill WV Walks - 30 minutes or more daily Feel the power of half an hour! Bill Reger-Nash, Ed.D Professor of Community Medicine West Virginia University School of Medicine Morgantown WV 26506-9190 Phone: 304/293-0763 Fax: 304/293-6685 Dept. web page: http://www.hsc.wvu.edu/som/cmed BRN's web page: http://www.hsc.wvu.edu/som/cmed/wreger/ >>> <Duane330(a)aol.com> 12/24/08 4:09 PM >>> West Virginia Charleston, WV Kanawha Putnam Kanawha Putnam Kanawha Putnam Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH Cabell Mason (p) Wayne Cabell Mason (p) Wayne Morgantown, WV Monongalia Monongalia Parkersburg-Marietta, WV-OH Pleasants Wood Pleasants (p) Wood Pleasants (p) Wood Steubenville-Weirton, OH-WV Brooke Hancock Brooke Hancock Brooke Hancock See the following web site.............. _http://www.epa.gov/pmdesignations/2006standards/regs.htm#3_ (http://www.epa.gov/pmdesignations/2006standards/regs.htm#3) **************One site keeps you connected to all your email: AOL Mail, Gmail, and Yahoo Mail. Try it now. (http://www.aol.com/?optin=new-dp&icid=aolcom40vanity&ncid=emlcntaolcom00000…)

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MVCAC December 2008