NOAA
- NOAA releases final management plan for Flower Garden Banks Sanctuary
- Rise in Asian Tiger Shrimp sightings prompts scientific look at invasion concerns
- Global ocean drifter deployed off of Maui
- Severe weather: Know your risk, take action, be a force of nature
- Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary hosts public meetings, seeks comment on sanctuary marine zones and regulations
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- As Summer Smog Season Starts, Free Resources Help Protect People(Boston, Mass. – April 27, 2012) – Next week is Air Quality Awareness week – a cooperative effort amongst EPA, state environmental agencies, and the National Weather Service, to remind everyone to protect their health by paying attention to local air quality […]
- As Summer Smog Season Starts, Free Resources Help Protect People
Water
- Jerome dairy processing facility failed to publicly disclose chemical use and disposal(Seattle—April 26, 2012) Idaho Milk Products, Inc., a dairy processing facility in Jerome, Idaho, failed to publicly report the use and disposal of several hundred thousand pounds of toxic chemicals in violation of community right-to-know laws, according to a settlement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The company has corrected the violations o […]
- Jerome dairy processing facility failed to publicly disclose chemical use and disposal
EPA
Ocean Temperatures
- Morgans Point, TXRecent Water Temperature: 76.3°F (24.6°C) Observation Date and Time: Sun, 29 Apr 2012 07:54:00 GMT […]
- Coast Guard Sector Mobile ALRecent Water Temperature: 78.3°F (25.7°C) Observation Date and Time: Sun, 29 Apr 2012 07:54:00 GMT […]
- Valdez AKRecent Water Temperature: 45.1°F (7.3°C) Observation Date and Time: Sun, 29 Apr 2012 07:48:00 GMT […]
- Morgans Point, TX
Invasive Species
- USDA's Chief Veterinary Officer on the Recent BSE Case (aka Mad Cow) (Apr 25, 2012)USDA's Chief Veterinary Officer on the Recent BSE Case (aka... […]
- 8th Annual Oregon Invasive Weed Awareness Week -- May 20-26, 20128th Annual Oregon Invasive Weed Awareness Week - R.2 I.... […]
- USDA's Chief Veterinary Officer on the Recent BSE Case (aka Mad Cow) (Apr 25, 2012)
Energy Research
- Ames Lab's Canfield makes mark in condensed matter physicsPaul Canfield, a physicist at DOE's Ames Laboratory, is known for his skill in synthesizing and characterizing materials in small, single-crystal form. […]
- Ames Lab's Canfield makes mark in condensed matter physics
Energy Savers
- How Can You Save Energy While Spring Cleaning?Cleaning your home in between winter and summer is a great way to welcome warmer weather and get some fresh air. Speaking of fresh air, Stephanie talked about her challenge in replacing her furnace filter - a project that usually leads to replacing other filters that can make appliances less efficient (and use more energy), and cleaning the surrounding basem […]
- How Can You Save Energy While Spring Cleaning?
Food And Drugs
- FDA challenges marketing of DMAA products for lack of safety evidenceThe U.S. Food and Drug Administration today issued warning letters to ten manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements containing dimethylamylamine, more popularly known as DMAA, for marketing products for which evidence of the safety of the product had not been submitted to FDA. […]
- FDA challenges marketing of DMAA products for lack of safety evidence
Consumer Health
- It's a Small World, After AllNew "Global Engagement" report opens a window of FDA's work around the world to guarantee the safety of imported foods, medical products and other regulated goods. […]
- It's a Small World, After All
Help Protect People
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania has some of the most dangerous air to breath. During the summer months, conditions worsen.
Next week is Air Quality Awareness week – a cooperative effort amongst EPA, state environmental agencies, and the National Weather Service, to remind everyone to protect their health by paying attention to local air quality. With the onset of warmer weather, EPA urges New Englanders to be aware of the increased risk of ground-level ozone and fine particle pollution (when combined, often referred to as smog), and take health precautions when smog levels are high.
“Air pollution is a significant public health concern in New England, especially for people who suffer from asthma and other respiratory ailments,” said Curt Spalding, regional administrator of EPA’s New England Office. “People should pay close attention to air quality alerts and limit their strenuous outdoor activity on air quality alert days.”
Air quality forecasts are issued daily by the New England state air agencies. Current air quality conditions and next day forecasts for New England are available each day at EPA’s web site. People can also stay informed about air quality in New England states by following EPA on Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/EPAnewengland). In cooperation with the New England states, EPA has also set up an “Air Quality Alerts” system, provided free through the EnviroFlash program, where people can sign up to receive e-mails or text messages when high concentrations of ground-level ozone or fine particles are predicted in their area.
Warm summer temperatures aid in the formation of ground-level ozone and fine particle pollution. In 2008, EPA strengthened the ozone air quality health standard to 0.075 parts per million (ppm) on an 8-hour average basis. Air quality alerts are issued when ozone concentrations exceed, or are predicted to exceed, this level.
Poor air quality affects everyone, but some people are particularly sensitive to air pollutants, including children and adults who are active outdoors, and people with respiratory diseases, such as asthma. When air quality is predicted to be unhealthy, EPA and the states will announce an air quality alert for the affected areas. EPA recommends that people in these areas limit strenuous outdoor activity and EPA asks that on these days, citizens and businesses take actions that will help reduce air pollution and protect the public health. Everyone can help reduce air pollution by taking the following steps:
- use public transportation or walk whenever possible;
- combine errands and car-pool to reduce driving time and mileage;
- use less electricity by turning air conditioning to a higher temperature setting, and turning off lights, TVs and computers when they are not being used; and
- avoid using other small gasoline-powered engines, such as lawn mowers, chain saws, power-washers, generators, compressors and leaf blowers on unhealthy air days.
Cars, motorcycles, trucks, and buses are a primary source of the pollutants that make smog. Fossil fuel burning at electric generating stations, particularly on hot days, also generate smog-forming pollution. Other industries, as well as smaller sources, such as gasoline stations and print shops, also contribute to smog. In addition, household products like paints and cleaners, as well as gasoline-powered yard and garden equipment, also contribute to smog formation.
The federal Clean Air Act has led to significant improvements in ozone air quality over the past 30 years and EPA continues to take steps to further reduce air pollution. For example, since 2004, new cars, sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks, and mini-vans are meeting stringent new emission standards. The requirements have resulted in new vehicles that are 77 to 95 percent cleaner than older models. Also, EPA’s standards for new (starting with model year 2007) diesel trucks and buses are estimated to reduce NOx and fine particle emissions by up to 95 percent.
In addition, last year, EPA finalized the Cross State Air Pollution Rule. Although the rule is currently subject to litigation, EPA believes the rule is legally sound and is vigorously defending it. Under this rule, power plants in the eastern half of the country will need to cut air pollution with proven and cost-effective control technologies. By 2014, the Cross State Air Pollution Rule and other state and EPA actions are expected to reduce sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions by 73 and 54 percent from 2005 levels, respectively.
More Information on *Bad* Ozone