Clean Air

Is it me or is the sky clearer? I read a Forbes.com article that China has shut down some major industrial polluters. That pollution gets blown east across the ocean to the U.S. And now I wonder if our sudden clear skies are due in part to China's reduction in air emissions?

There is a history of China's air pollution including mercury traveling east over the ocean to the United States. Maybe with China's air in better health we can also take a deep breath.

Buffalo, NY has a history with air pollution and strong winds like China. As it happen the polluting industries that are still left here are in three major hubs...to the north in North Buffalo & Tonawanda, NY, to the east on the Buffalo-Cheektowaga boarder and to the south in the South Buffalo area. The wind blows from the southwest to the northeast. So, anyone living east of these facilities get doused with air emission. The south towns, Buffalo's west and central areas seem to be are relatively safe. This is simply because they are up wind from the factories.

To see who the top polluters are you can go to scorecard.org For Buffalo, NY readers here is a list of Top Polluters. The two biggest polluters are both in Tonawanda the Huntley coal plant with 2.6 million pounds and 3M Co. with 684,000 pounds of pollution.

For the Huntley plant Mercury compounds, Lead compounds and Hydrochloric Acid top the list of chemicals. From 1998 to 2002 the non cancerous chemicals have increase by 2969%. No I did not leave out a decimal point.

Toxic Household Materials

Report

Toxic Air Contaminants

COMMON INDOOR SOURCES OF VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS: EMISSION RATES AND TECHNIQUES FOR REDUCING CONSUMER EXPOSURES. Principal Investigator: Alfred T Hodgson. University of California, Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory. 1999. 95-302.

"Objectives: To characterize and quantify the emissions rates of VOCs, including TACs (Toxic air contaminants), from three general categories of common indoor building and decorating materials. Also, to measure the effectiveness of various practical measures that consumers can take to reduce their exposures to the VOCs emitted from these products during and after home remodeling activities. Materials studied included carpets, carpet pads, adhesives, vinyl flooring, and interior latex paint."

"Findings: The investigators characterized the VOC emissions from three groups of materials: carpets and vinyl flooring (including associated installation material), and latex paints. Fifteen TACs were identified in the emissions from these products. Evaluation of methods for reducing exposure to related VOCs determined that use of low emitting products is the most effective means for limiting exposure to emissions from all categories of materials, and airing out the carpet and carpet cushion before installation is effective for reducing exposure from carpet compounds. Additionally, using a high rate of mechanical ventilation (exhaust fans) for at least three days, and for as long afterward as is practical, should lower occupant exposure to VOCs from paint and carpet."

"Importance to ARB’s Program: Results from this study will provide a scientific basis for future indoor air quality guidelines that advise Californians on ways to reduce their exposure to indoor pollutants in new or remodeled homes. Emissions data will be used in models to improve estimates of indoor exposures to TACs, as required by the California Health and Safety Code."

For more information go to: http://www.arb.ca.gov/research/apr/past/indoor.htm

Tobacco Smoke - VOCs

Report

TOXIC VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS IN ENVIRONMENTAL TOBACCO SMOKE: EMISSION FACTORS FOR MODELING EXPOSURE OF CALIFORNIA POPULATIONS. Principal Investigator: J. M. Daisey. Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory. 1994. A133-186.

"Objectives: To measure the levels of over 20 toxic air pollutants in aged second-hand smoke (ETS) from the brands of cigarettes most smoked in California. In order to compare the results with existing data, emissions of the same pollutants from fresh sidestream smoke (smoke from the burning end of the cigarette, or SS) were also measured. "

"Findings: Most of the target compounds were present in levels high enough to be measured in both ETS and SS. ETS emissions were highest for particles, aldehydes, nicotine, and the aromatic hydrocarbons. The ETS emissions were fairly consistent among the different cigarette brands, even when "regular" cigarettes were compared to mentholated and "light" cigarettes. ETS emissions were generally higher than emissions measured in SS, apparently due to chemical losses in the SS apparatus. The ETS emission factors agree with other literature values and the investigators recommend their use in exposure modeling."

"Importance to ARB’s Program: Cigarettes are a major indoor source of many toxic air pollutants. This study provides unique information to help estimate Californians' exposures to many toxic components of ETS."

For more on this subject and the full report go to: http://www.arb.ca.gov/research/apr/past/indoor.htm