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2010 Air Quality Season sees decrease in green days, increase in orange days
A hot and humid summer contributed to a decline in air quality conditions during the 2010 forecasting season. From the start of the season on May 14 through the end of the season on Sept. 17, the region saw 68 green days, 42 yellow days, 13 orange days and no red days.
These numbers represent a considerable decrease in green days and a significant increase in orange days compared with the 2009 season, which saw 79 green days, 44 yellow days, four orange days and a red day.
While weather patterns definitely played a role in the increase in orange days and decline in green days this summer, the continued commitment from area residents, businesses and organizations to do their share for cleaner air remains critical as we work to help the region breathe easier in 2011 and beyond.
For a list of steps you can take to help improve the region's air quality, visit The Partnership's website at www.cleanair-stlouis.com or find us on Facebook and Twitter.
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EPA preparing to make final ruling on new ozone standard
New Year's Eve is the new target date for the release of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) final ruling on a stricter standard for ground-level ozone pollution aimed at improving air quality and lung health nationwide.
Originally expected last summer, the highly anticipated decision will set a tougher National Ambient Air Quality that will fall between 60 and 70 parts per billion. The standard will replace ozone limits set in 2008, which many felt weren't strict enough to protect human health.
The proposed new standards are the strictest to date for ozone, and have the potential to greatly improve the nation's air quality and the health of many over time. Depending on the final standard adopted by the EPA, it's estimated that the ruling will yield health benefits worth $13 -100 billion, and will prevent 1,500-12,000 premature deaths by 2020.
We encourage you to stay tuned to our Facebook and
pages for the latest news updates on this story. We'll be sure to keep you informed on the new ozone standard once it's released and share any related news coverage following the ruling. |
Partnership now hosting lunch-and-learn events at area businesses
If you're interested in learning how your office can help improve the region's air quality, we encourage you to spend your lunch hour with us! Representatives of The Partnership are available to host an information lunch-and-learn event at your worksite. You'll learn about the air quality issues facing our region, gain insight on the effects of poor air quality on the business community and hear about steps you and your co-workers can take to go green and improve air quality conditions in the St. Louis area. To schedule a lunch-and-learn event at your worksite, contact Susannah Fuchs at (314) 645-5505, ext. 1007 or send and e-mail to sfuchs@breathehealthy.org. We look forward to lunching with you! |
Tips to help you do your share for cleaner air this winter
The holiday season is here, and that means the official start of winter is just around the corner. As the bitter winds blow, air quality typically isn't top of mind for most of us. And while the region doesn't have to deal with ozone pollution during the cold weather months, particulate matter pollution remains a concern, making it critical for individuals to do their share for cleaner air year-round. This winter, there are a variety of steps you can take to help the region breathe easier and reduce your overall environmental impact:
- If and when the next measurable snow storm hits, consider using electric snow removal products, rather than gas-powered ones. While they consume energy, they don't emit greenhouse gas pollutants into the air. Snow shovels, ice crackers and brooms can also serve as environmentally friendly alternatives for snow removal.
- If you have a manual thermostat, replacing it with a programmable thermostat can help save energy and money and, in turn, improve air quality during the winter months. Programmable thermostats feature four programmable temperature settings for weekdays and weekends that can save you nearly $100 annually on heating bills. They also save energy and reduce pollution from burning coal used to produce electricity.
- Recycle old newspapers by making rolled paper logs for your fireplace. Roll newspaper sheets around a broom stick until your log is the desired size, then soak it thoroughly in water. Dry the log overnight and use it like ordinary wood. Choosing to recycle the paper helps conserve energy and reduces pollution created during resource extraction, manufacturing and disposal.
- Check your heating ducts and clean or change the air filter in your heating system. Heating accounts for 34 percent of all annual utility useage, and is part of what makes an average home emit twice the amount of carbon dioxide emissions as a vehicle. To ensure that as much warm air as possible is delivered through your central heating system, check the ductwork and wrap any leaks with duct mastic. Doing so can increase energy-efficiency considerably. Dirty air filters can also increase energy costs. As such, air filters in the heating system should be cleaned or changed every three months.
- Bundle up your home. Hidden gaps and cracks in a home add up to as much airflow as an open window. By sealing air leaks and adding insulation where needed, you can save up to 10 percent on energy costs and reduce pollution from burning coal used to produce electricity.
For information on additional steps you can use throughout the rest of the year to improve the region's air quality, visit our website at www.cleanair-stlouis.com. |
 Emily Andrews "LEED"s the way to a more sustainable future
Emily Andrews, executive director of the St. Louis Regional Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC-STL) is greening the region one building at a time. As executive director of the USGBC-STL, Andrews has emerged as a leading advocate for cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings in St. Louis. Her primary responsibilities with USGBC-STL include providing outreach, education and advocacy for green building principles and practices throughout the region. With green building design continuing to grow in popularity, Andrews is focused on demonstrating the many benefits that can be derived from green building practices. "There's nothing typical about this job," Andrews said. "Really it's about making sure that we're transforming the built environment into a healthier, more environmentally friendly and more profitable place to live and work." St. Louis established its own chapter with the USGBC in 2001. Since then, the chapter has grown to include more than 700 architects, engineers, developers and other stakeholders. By bringing together individuals from many different sectors of the building process, the chapter allows project teams to create a shared vision of a project that takes an integrated, holistic approach to the design and construction of a building. The USGBC's national office is most recognized for the development of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system, the primary benchmark tool for green building in the country. Although the St. Louis Chapter doesn't oversee the LEED certification process, it does aggressively promote the benefits of LEED to various developers and stakeholders within the region. The LEED rating system is composed of five categories: sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, indoor environmental quality and materials and resources. Within each category are minimum prerequisites for obtaining the basic level of LEED certification. However, it is primarily a voluntary rating system where project teams can pick and choose which elements they want to focus on most heavily. LEED certification can have a big impact on both air quality and the bottom line. Buildings account for approximately 76 percent of all electricity consumption in the country. Since the St. Louis region gets a majority of its energy from coal, energy-efficient buildings are vital to clean air within the region. LEED also provides credits for buildings that utilize materials produced within a 500-mile radius of the construction site. Not only does this reduce emissions from transportation, it also benefits the local economy because materials are being purchased from local sources. Additionally, LEED certification helps improve indoor air quality, which often can be three times more polluted than the air outside. "A really key piece of the puzzle is looking at ways you can make the indoor environment not only more healthy but more comfortable," Andrews said. "There's a huge opportunity to impact the bottom line when you have a healthier, more productive and happier workforce." In addition to her work supporting environmental initiatives with the USGBC, Andrews has been serving on the St. Louis Regional Clean Air Partnership's Advisory Council for the past eight years. She also oversaw the community outreach program for the St. Louis Community Air Project, an initiative of the St. Louis Association for Community Organizations (SLACO). Currently, Andrews serves on the board of the Old North St. Louis Restoration Group and the Forest Park Advisory Board. To learn more about green building and the USGBC's St. Louis Chapter, visit http://www.usgbc-stl.org. For more innovative ways you can improve the region's air quality, visit www.cleanair-stlouis.com or call the American Lung Association at (314) 645-5505, ext. 1007. |
We need your input!
As we continue our work to improve the air quality in the St. Louis region, we remain on the lookout for new partners to join us in our efforts. If you have friends or colleagues at companies or organizations that you think would be interested in serving as Clean Air Coordinators or Employee Transportation Coordinators, please ask them to call (314) 645-5505, ext. 1007 or send an e-mail to sfuchs@breathehealthy.org for information on how they can get involved.
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