Pollution

Mercury in Fish Pose Health Risk

October 13, 2011

New research on mercury levels in the Great Lakes shows walleye and other fish that people eat contain more of the toxin than previously thought. The study says there has been a general decline in mercury levels over the past four decades but the current levels are higher than recommended for eating certain fish.

The three-year study released by the Great Lakes Commission found 6 of the 15 most commonly eaten sport fish had mercury levels higher than recommended for consumption. Mercury is a pollutant that poses hazards to the unborn and the brain development of young children. At high enough levels it can be lethal to wildlife and at lower levels can harm the reproductive systems of loons and bald eagles.

Atmospheric emissions are the primary source of mercury deposits in the Great Lake basin. Regulations have led to a 20 percent reduction in emissions and the study says further controls on are expected to lower mercury concentrations.

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Traffic Pollution Linked to Honeybee Decline

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

October 11, 2011

Pollution from traffic fumes could be a factor in the global collapse of the honeybee population. Scientists believe particles from diesel engines could be affecting the brains of honey bees and are starting a three-year investigation to find out if there is a connection. Scientists at the University of Southampton believe traffic pollution could be damaging the bees’ built-in navigation skills, making it more difficult for them to find food. In the U.S., there was an unexplained 35 percent drop in the number of beehives from 2007 to 2009.  One recent study found the global decline in honeybees ranges from 25 to 87 percent, depending on the region and species.

Researchers at Southampton also want to investigate the possibility that the traffic fumes are one of a number of stress factors that could lead to a tipping point in bee health, which could contribute to a bee colony collapse.The team of researchers include biologists, ecologist and nanotechnology experts. Southampton professor Guy Poppy says “Diesel road-traffic is increasing in the UK and research from the US has shown that nanoparticles found in its fumes can be detrimental to the brains of animals when they are exposed to large doses. We want to find out if bees are affected in the same way.”

It’s estimated bees contribute billions to the world economy by pollinating crops, producing honey and supporting employment. A recent study of the bee decline in the U.S. blamed the problem on the use of pesticides, pollution and habitat loss.

 

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The Real Cost of Coal Power

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

October 7, 2011

The health damage caused by air pollution from coal-fired power plants costs more than the value of coal plants to the U.S. economy. That’s according to new research published in the journal American Economic Review. Researchers say coal plants produce what they call the largest gross external damages than any industry they examined. Economists who took part in the study say pollution from coal-fired power plants is linked to $53 billion dollars in health costs every year. That’s more than the value they bring to the economy including the electricity produced by the plants.

Researchers modeled the physical and economic consequences of six major pollutants from about 10,000 pollution sources in the U.S. They found coal plants cost about twice the annual value added to the economy by those facilities. Researchers did not add the cost of carbon dioxide pollution which would cause an additional $15 billion dollars in damages.

The goal of the study was to develop a better system of accounting for pollution costs to the economy. The tool could help policymakers dealing with energy development and environmental regulation. The authors of the paper recommend more abatement of coal plants to lower the damage that they cause. They also say the current regulated levels of emissions from the industry are too high.

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Traffic Pollution Linked to Low Birth Weight

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

October 6, 2011

A new study shows that car fumes could be to blame for low birth weight in newborn babies. Researchers found that mothers living in suburbs with average traffic emissions gave birth to babies who were an average two ounces lighter. Researchers from the University of Western Australia monitored traffic emission levels in a region with moderate industrial activity and compared it with the birth records of over 1,000 mothers over a period of six years between 2000 and 2006. They then took the child’s birth weight and worked out their expected size under optimal conditions.

Authors of the study say they were surprised by the results because the air quality during the study met national standards. Researchers also thought fetuses would be more protected from pollution. Other studies have found some associations between traffic emissions and birth weight but researchers say this is the first time they have found a link between normal suburban traffic pollution and its effect on fetal growth.

The lead author of the study says it should open the debate about whether there should be a minimum distance set between new houses and major roads. Epidemiologist Gavin Pereira says there should also be continuing efforts to reduce vehicle emissions through greater use of public transportation and cleaner engine technologies. Pereira published a study last year that found traffic pollution also increased the risk of young children having serious asthma attacks by up to 70 percent.

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Online Tool Helps Reduce Your Commute

September 30, 2011

Apartment hunters who are looking for a short and walkable commute to work can find answers fast with a new online tool. Walk Score Apartment Search allows users to search for apartments based on commute time. Users simply type in their work or school address and can then see apartment listings that are automatically sorted by estimated commute time. The Walk Score tool also provides links MyNewPlace and ForRent.com to search their national databases for rentals with easy commutes.

Walk Score says commuters waste 4.2 billion hours and 2.8 billion gallons of gas in traffic per year. Research also shows that for every ten minutes a person spends in a daily car commute, the time spent in community activities falls by 10 percent.  WalkScore.com already helps people figure out the most walkable properties in cities across the country. The web tool assigns properties a score from 1 to 100 based on how close homes are to amenities like restaurants and theaters. A score of 90-100, for example, is considered a ‘Walker’s Paradise’. A score between 0 and 24 means that almost every errand from the property requires a car.

According to Walk Score, a walkable neighborhood has some type of center like a main street or public space. It also has enough people for businesses to flourish and public transit to run frequently. A walkable neighborhood also has streets designed for bike riders, walkers and vehicles as well as buildings that are close to the street with parking in back. The Walk Score website also just added commute costs to its Commute Map to help users understand how much their commute will cost in terms of time and money.

 

 

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Turning Food Waste Into Organic Soil and a Profit

September 28, 2011

Did you know Americans produce nearly 30 tons of food waste a year? As if the waste isn’t bad enough, while the food scraps sit in the landfill, they release harmful methane emissions into the air. Learning the dirty facts about wasted food motivated an entrepreneur to start a business that keeps spoiled food out of landfills and turns it into valuable fertilizer. EcoScraps collects food waste which would otherwise be thrown away and turns it into a high quality soil conditioner. The company says the production of one cubic foot of compost mix reduces greenhouse gas emissions as much as not driving your car for a month.

Every day EcoScraps picks up 30 tons of old fruits and vegetables from stores across Utah and Arizona. After the food waste is composted and turned into organic soil it is sold back to the stores where the waste was collected as well as nurseries and garden centers. The process saves stores money because they would normally have to pay for food waste to be hauled away. CNN Money reports EcoScraps came up with a way to create compost material in three weeks versus the six to nine months it takes at landfill composting facilities. The organic soil conditioner has the same nutrients as chemical based products.

Brigham Young University graduate Dan Blake and his two partners started experimenting with composting in an apartment and founded the company with savings and money from a business plan competition. The company now runs a 5,000 square foot composting facility and collects food waste in Utah and Arizona. The entrepreneurs hope to expand into Colorado and Washington and eventually the East coast.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Pollution on the Rise at National Parks

September 27, 2011

Visitors to America’s hundreds of national parks typically expect to find clean, fresh air. But many parks are reporting ozone levels above the health standard. A new report by the National Parks Conservation Association shows ozone pollution levels exceeded health-based standards more than 200 times at 18 of the national parks with ozone monitors. That’s the highest level in three years and resulted in several ‘Code Red’ days when even healthy people are advised to avoid vigorous outdoor exercise.

The Air Resources Division of the National Park Service has air monitoring systems set up in about 70 national parks around the country. The parks service says Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks experienced some of the worst air pollution of any national parks in the U.S. since they are downwind of many pollution sources including industry, agriculture and major highways.

Studies show breathing ozone can trigger health problems including asthma, chest pain, coughing, throat irritation and congestion. The National Parks Conservation Association is urging Congress not to pass legislation that would roll back important protections against harmful air pollution. There are currently two measures moving through Congress which would weaken the Environmental Protection Agency’s air quality regulations.

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Houses Passes Bill to Block Clean Air Rules

September 26, 2011

A bill just passed by House lawmakers would delay and possibly scale back rules to reduce mercury and other harmful air pollutants. The legislation would force the Environmental Protection Agency to delay pending pollution rules and would also require President Obama to set up a committee to evaluate the impact that new pollution rules would have on jobs, electricity and gasoline prices.

Health and environmental advocates say the stricter air pollution rules would prevent asthma and other lung conditions. White House spokesman Jay Carney says the protections being rolled back under the House bill would prevent tens of thousands of premature deaths and hundreds of thousands of childhood asthma attacks. Critics of the EPA regulations say they would hurt the economy by preventing investment and causing plants to close.

The bill would repeal a recent EPA rule governing pollution from power plants that crosses state lines. It would also stop a separate rule that sets stricter standards for toxic pollution from power plants. The legislation now heads to the Senate where Environment and Public Works Committee Chairperson Barbara Boxer vowed to defeat it.

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America's Smoggiest Cities

September 22, 2011

Air quality has improved in the last decade, but nearly half of Americans still live in cities with unhealthy levels of pollution. A new report ranks the cities with the highest amount of smog, one of the most harmful and pervasive air pollutants. The five smoggiest cities are in California but included in the top ten are Baltimore, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Houston and Atlanta. Studies show high levels of smog pollution is connected to higher numbers of asthma attacks, increased breathing problems and reduced lung function. The report, Danger in the Air, was released by the group Environment America.

The report also says the pollution problem may be worse than once thought. The national health standard for smog pollution was set in 2008 at a level that some scientists say does not protect human health. An independent board of air experts and scientists created under the Clean Air Act unanimously recommended a ground level ozone standard of 60 to 70 parts per billion over eight hours. The standard is currently 75 parts per billion. That means people in cities across the country could be exposed to poor quality air without even knowing it. Riverside-San Bernadino, CA is listed as the smoggiest city with 110 days when pollution levels exceeded the existing ozone standard but another 25 days when pollution exceeded the standard some experts believe better protects public health.

Environment America recommends toughening standards for ozone pollution. President Obama considered updating the 2008 standard, but decided to wait until 2013 to implement stricter standards. The group is also recommends passing policies that ensure we get more energy from clean, renewable sources.

 

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Find Healthy, Green Products Online

September 22, 2011

Finding products that protect your health, prevent pollution and save money is now just a click away. The Environmental Protection Agency is launching a new tool designed to provide Americans easy access to information about everyday green products. The new Greener Products Portal will help users save water and energy, reduce waste and pollution, and protect their families from exposure to toxic chemicals.

Consumers using the new tool can find energy efficient electronics and appliances that have earned the EPA’s Energy Star label. Users can also find WaterSense labeled products that save energy and water. Consumers worried about the chemicals in cleaning products can find cleaners that are safer for the environment and people’s health. Green office supplies, landscaping products and automotive supplies are also included on the website. Manufacturers and buyers can also use the portal to find information on standards and criteria for designing greener products.

The launch of the Green Products Portal comes during Pollution Prevention Week which highlights the efforts of EPA, its partners, and the public in making pollution prevention a cornerstone of sustainability. Also this week, the EPA is recognizing its safer product labeling program. The Design for the Environment (DfE) program has recognized 2500 products that are safer for people and the planet.

 

 

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