Starting July 1st is the second annual Clear the Air Challenge. The Challenge lasts for the month of July (high ozone season) and encourages participants to reduce the miles driven each week. The idea is that if every Wasatch Front resident left their car parked for just one day each week, vehicle emissions would be reduced by 6,500 tons per year. Other ideas to reduce miles driven include carpooling, flexible and compressed work schedules, trip-chaining and using public transportation.

The Clear the Air Challenge website lists TRAVELWISE strategies.

The overall goal is to eliminate 300,000 trips, save 2 million miles, reduce 3.4 million lbs of carbon and YOU can help make this happen.

You have two days left to register. Join a team, start a team or go solo — any which way we will all be part of the air pollution solution!

Associated Press reports what many Americans have suspected for years: “The nation’s oil and chemical plants are spewing a lot more pollution than they report to the Environmental Protection Agency — and the EPA knows it.”

The Associated Press says that records, scientific studies and interviews “suggest pollution from petrochemical plants is at least 10 times greater than what is reported to the government and the public.”

AP says that records, scientific studies and interviews “suggest pollution from petrochemical plants is at least 10 times greater than what is reported to the government and the public.”

How come? The United States is using outdated measuring devices, not the lasers, solar technology and remote sensors used by European countries. Critics blame the political influence of the petrochemical industries and bureaucratic inertia within the EPA. Significant changes still won’t happen for at least two more years, officials acknowledge.

“Emissions, we do believe, have been underestimated in general,” Peter Tsirigotis, a top EPA air-quality official, said recently, though he could not say why it has taken so long to modernize measuring.

Over the past month, I’ve noticed a change in my 2 year old.  Over and over again I see him itching his nose, rubbing his ears, getting increasingly frustrated with the propensity of the burdensome anguish in his head region…all the while wondering, what could possibly be going on?  I am embarrassed to admit that it never occurred to me the possible connection between my 2 year old’s frustration and allergies.

I didn’t have allergies until my adult years and even so at minimal, my husband is also a sufferer during allergy season but he too didn’t have them at the young age of 2…so why would it ever cross my mind that my son could be one of the millions of allergy sufferers in our country?

When my sister in law watched Park over the weekend, she casually asked if Park had allergies.  Duh…I should have known.

We quickly walked to the store to pick up children’s Claritan and gave it to him in hopes of some immediate relief.  Unfortunately, on day 3 I’m not so sure the drug that helps so many is making any impact at all on my suffering son.

As relief for my son is a constant in my thoughts, I also can’t help but wonder how my seemingly healthy baby boy could have allergies at such a young age and ponder what in his environment other than the trees could be causing his suffering.

Our household cleaning products are all non-toxic, our air vents/ducts are super clean, we have non-toxic paint on our walls, we keep driving to a minimum and keep our cars running clean, demand that all shoes be taken off at our door, use HEPA filters, purchase many safe, all natural toys, clothes, blankets, etc etc etc.  I really thought I had taken every precaution to avoid the issue. So what have I done wrong…what have I missed?

Maybe it’s the daily stroller rides.  Or maybe it’s from turning off our ac unit and opening our windows at night in hopes of bringing in fresh air.  But wait, am I really saying this?  Daily walks outside and opening our windows to outdoor air could  be the culprit harming my child???  Sounds crazy right?  Well, that’s because it is!

According to Allergens in Paved Road Dust and Airborne Particles (Miguel, A., 1999),  “Paved road dust present on the surface of streets in Southern California consists of a complex mixture of soil dust, deposited motor vehicle exhaust particles, tire dust, brake lining wear dust, plant fragments, and other biological materials.” “Motor vehicle exhaust, brake lining wear dust”, yuck.  So in other words, what good intentions of exercise, scenic stroller rides, reduction of electric use could really be the means harmful toxins have aggravated my son’s little body?  This is all too much.

“In conclusion, paved road dust when entrained into the atmosphere by passing traffic is a source of allergen exposure for the general population…” (Miguel, 1999)

I once commented on an article about Utah’s “bowl” of bad air with which another individual suggested “I move to higher ground”.  True and slightly funny yes, I could.  But how about this:  How about everyone drive less?  This could help with the situation.  Sounds easy right?  That’s because it is.  Ask anyone who consciously drives less and they will tell you it is so.

With Utah being among the top cities with the worst air in the country many times over, I’d like to conclude my rant of allergen concern with this:

For the safety of our children’s health and well being, I am begging as a mother to please keep in mind the impact your habits are making to those around you.  Deciding to cut out one day of unnecessary driving could tremendously decrease the allergens in our breathing air.  I am not a scientist or an educator, I can’t give you specific data in scientific detail (although I promise you other SuperMoms with Utah Moms for Clean Air and Breathe Utah easily could) but I am a protective mother very aware of the dangers foul air has on my child.  That and I would REALLY like to open our windows one day to fresh CLEAN air.

Bridget James

(author of) The Curious Case of Mommyhood

1. Miguel, A., et. al., (1999).  Allergens in Paved Road Dust and Airborne Particles.  Environmental Science and Technology, 33 (23), 4159-4168.

by Michael Reilly
Wed Jun 16, 2010

Everyone knows air pollution is bad for you, your kids, trees, and the planet. Small particles of partially burned car and truck exhaust are particularly insidious, and can get into your lungs, your bloodstream, even your brain.

Now a new study suggests it can mess with your breathing while you sleep, too, and put you at higher risk for a host of serious health problems.

People exposed to high levels of “microparticle” pollution — mostly those living near roadways and/or in urban areas — can have higher rates of asthma and other lung afflictions, but they just as often show no ill effects, even after years of exposure.

It isn’t until researchers look at data from thousands of people across a whole city, or many cities, that patterns begin to emerge — high microparticle concentrations increase risk of high blood pressure, heart attack, and stroke.

Antonella Zanobetti of Harvard University and a team of researchers put a new twist on this type of work — they looked at whether air pollution could interfere with sleep. They matched a dataset of 6,000 people monitored for the Sleep Heart Health Study between 1995 and 1998 to air pollution measurements from the same time and locations.

The team found that “sleep disordered breathing,” — a catch-all term for snoring and any other interference with normal breathing during sleep — increased 13 percent with elevated levels of pollution. Blood oxygen levels were depleted for 20 percent more time in people sleeping in high-pollution environments, too. This was primarily seen during the summer, when high temperatures are known to exacerbate the effects of air pollution

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The team found that “sleep disordered breathing,” — a catch-all term for snoring and any other interference with normal breathing during sleep — increased 13 percent with elevated levels of pollution. Blood oxygen levels were depleted for 20 percent more time in people sleeping in high-pollution environments, too. This was primarily seen during the summer, when high temperatures are known to exacerbate the effects of air pollution.

The researchers’ work appears in American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. Zanobetti was quoted in an article on PhysOrg.com:

“Particles may influence sleep through effects on the central nervous system, as well as the upper airways,” wrote Dr. Zanobetti. “…Poor sleep [associated with poor health outcomes] may disproportionately afflict poor urban populations. Our findings suggest that one mechanism for poor sleep and sleep health disparities may relate to environmental pollution levels.”

Poor sleep habits have also been shown to increase risk of cardiovascular diseases, so this study presents a kind of double whammy. Not only are people exposed to high levels of microparticle pollution already at risk for heart attack, stroke, and the like, but the pollution is preventing them from sleeping well, exacting yet more punishment on their bodies.

As if we needed another reason to clean up air pollution, this is a pretty good one.

Source: American Thoracic Society, via PhysOrg

During the warmest months of the year when we have some of the best opportunities to enjoy the outdoors, Utahns are routinely exposed to ozone merely by the air we breathe. Sometimes you can feel the consequences of inhaling ozone-ladened air, whereas other consequences have a long-term delayed effect.

As the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) states, “People with lung disease, children, older adults, and people who are active can be affected when ozone levels are unhealthy.” Even otherwise healthy people can feel the stinging effects of ozone exposure. Countless scientific studies have linked ground-level ozone exposure to a variety of problems, including:

• airway irritation, coughing, and pain when taking a deep breath;
• wheezing and breathing difficulties during exercise or outdoor activities;
• inflammation, which is much like a sunburn on the skin;
• aggravation of asthma and increased susceptibility to respiratory illnesses like pneumonia and bronchitis; and,
• permanent lung damage with repeated exposures.

The two most common contributors to ozone creation are NOx and VOC, which can primarily be traced back to:

• Emissions from industrial facilities and electric utilities
• Motor vehicle exhaust
• Gasoline vapors
• Chemical solvents

Kathy Van Dame, a member of the Utah Air Quality Board and advisory board to Utah Moms for Clean Air, recently sent this useful summary of the how the Department of Air Quality (DAQ) decides how to rate ozone risks:

According to Kent Bott with DAQ it is pretty simple and complex at the same time. The color codes reflect predicted monitor values. These ozone “color-changing limits” are as follows:

GREEN (GOOD) is 0 to 59 ppb;
GREEN (MODERATE) is 60 to 67 ppb;
YELLOW is 68 to 75 ppb;
UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS 76 to 95 ppb;
UNHEALTHY is 96 to 115 ppb.

These limits are all running 8-hours average concentration values.

For PM 2.5, 15 ug3 is GREEN
YELLOW is called when 24 is predicted,
RED is when 35, the standard, is predicted.
These limits are based on a 24-hour average.

Kent listed eleven different sources he checks for meteorology, and he uses this information along with current monitor values and trends to predict air quality. He consults with Cheryl (head of DAQ) and it seems they reach a joint decision about questionable calls. He says he does all the forecasting, working every day during the bad air seasons.

He says forecasting ozone is more difficult, and at a national meeting, they were amazed that Utah attempted 3 day ozone forecasts. St George is particularly challenging to predict as the movement of air masses there is not well understood yet.

You can reduce your ozone footprint by reducing your VOC and NOx emissions, which can range from daily activities and lifestyle choices both in and outdoors:

• Avoid using aerosol products (hairspray, spray deodorant, air freshener, spray paint and other aerosol craft supplies) –especially during the day
• Use low/free VOC paint (check-out the Green Building Center in Salt Lake City)
• Buy local! By supporting a local economy you’ll reduce the need for consumer products to get to you via big exhaust-belching semi trucks.
• Fill-up your gas tank at night when temperatures are cooler
• Limit your daytime driving, join a carpool, telecommute, take TRAX, or ride your bike.
• Trade-in your gas-powered lawn mover, trimmer and leaf blower for electric versions. Or better yet use the old-fashioned and much quieter alternatives such as a push mower, shears and rakes, which are all coming back in fashion!
• Be idle free! If your car is idling for longer than 10 seconds, turn it off. One hour of idling = one gallon of gas — and lots of unnecessary emissions that contribute to unhealthy air.

Together we can make a difference!