Discourse for all interested in all things air-quality related
When it comes to news, 2019 has not been a particularly encouraging nor comforting year where environmental protection is concerned. In getting at specifics, we’re talking air quality news here folks! As a case in point, it was announced that the U.S. had formally withdrawn from the Paris Climate Accord. Here at home also, California … Read more
The below Nov. 27, 2019 press release from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Hospitalizations for several common diseases—including septicemia (serious bloodstream infection), fluid and electrolyte disorders, renal failure, urinary tract infections, and skin and tissue infections—have been linked for the first time with short-term exposure to fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5), according to a … Read more
It’s no secret transportation emits more greenhouse gas pollutants (carbon mostly) than any other single sector and that emissions from transportation worldwide are on the rise. And, it should be no mystery either that for every gallon of gasoline burned in an internal combustion (IC) engine, 19.64 pounds of carbon dioxide from said burning is … Read more
Snafu: Situation normal all fouled up, what the acronym snafu stands for. They are probably more common than we think. Shiver me timbers, it’s showering cinders! I gotta tell you: I’ve been on many a tourist train ride. But, there were none like the one in the mid-1980s I was on. These tourist pikes are … Read more
The below Oct. 21, 2019 news release is from the California VW Mitigation Trust. Today [Oct. 21, 2019], the first Volkswagen (VW) Environmental Mitigation Trust funding program launched for projects throughout California. The Zero Emission Transit, School, and Shuttle Bus program provides $130 million to replace internal combustion engine transit, school, and shuttle buses with … Read more
A concluding thought in “Road expansion or repair: Can either do anything to lower burden on air?” (Part 1) had to do with whether road-based projects – expansion or repair thereof – could have “an air-remedying effect.” Affirmative is the answer. Though “yes,” it’s conditional. A new overpass used to replace a physical intersection, for … Read more
Each year since 2000 the American Lung Association has released its annual “State of the Air” report. The purpose of such is to bring to the attention of the public and others the condition or “state” of air in America. Part of the report deals with American cities known for having the poorest quality air … Read more
There is a chill in the air. The smog in it – the air – is fading. Not because of diminishing daylight but, presumably, on account of lower ambient levels of heat. That could change; Monday in Fresno is forecasted to be 91 degrees. Parents picking up their children from schools in air-conditioned automobiles are … Read more
Brief intro: Anytime a newspaper article (report or opinion piece) appears dealing with the subject of air pollution in terms of it helping to bring about greater awareness to the people reading, I applaud such effort. Read all about it! One article, “Health of Stanislaus County residents is more important than Trump’s ego,” an opinion … Read more
I don’t know why, but in 2019 it seems like there are more earth-moving air-quality-news-related items than usual. And, the year isn’t even over yet. The American Lung Association in April issued its latest findings of the quality of America’s air in its 20th annual “State of the Air” report as well as in a … Read more