Galveston-Houston Association for Smog Prevention - Syndicate Health effects feed

Fine particles linked to cardiovascular events, decreased lung function

SStrawn — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 05:17:08 -0800

In a study published today in the New England Journal of Medicine, scientists find long-term exposure to fine particle pollution to be associated with the incidence of cardiovascular disease and death.Â This particular study compared exposures of nearly 2,000 older women in 36 urban areas to find also that intra-city differences in risk exceeded inter-city differences.Â In a separate editorial, the NEJM editors advocate tighter regulation and controls:Â

Local study links childhood cancer and toxic emissions

SStrawn — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 07:37:27 -0800

AÂ City of Houston sponsored study released January 18th shows aÂ 56% increased risk of leukemia among children within two miles of the Houston Ship Channel compared with children living further away.

In addition, the study estimated exposures to two carcinogens known to be at high levels here, butadiene and benzene.Â Children living in areas with the highest levelsÂ of butadiene,Â estimated from monitoring data collected by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, had significantly higher rates ofÂ Â any type of leukemia (40%, p-value=0.02), acute lymphocytic leukemia (38%, p-value=0.05), and acute myeloid leukemia (153%, p-value=0.03) compared with children living in areas with the lowest estimated butadiene levels.Â

Scientists agree: Houston's air is dangerous

Laurie H — Wed, 27 Sep 2006 09:43:39 -0700

According to a new report by leading air quality scientists, Houston area residents face a dangerously high risk of cancer and other chronic disease as a result of breathing toxic air pollution.

In the report's executive summary, a stunning series of tables and graphs shows that yearly levels of certain air toxics are 20 times higher than levels found in other major U.S. cities.

The report, entitled "The Control of Air Toxics: Toxicology Motivation and Houston Implications," was funded by Houston Endowment. It focuses on four air toxics: benzene, 1,3 butadiene, formaldehyde and diesel particles. It recommends that the state of Texas implement enforceable ambient standards for these pollutants.

Odors - dealing with the nuisance of industry

GHASP — Fri, 22 Sep 2006 07:50:23 -0700

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Concerns about odors are well-founded. Unpleasant odors are often an indication that dangerous pollutants are in the air.

Even if the odors don't indicate danger, they can make people ill or at least cause people to curtail activities. How about that picnic to celebrate a 50th wedding anniversary being canceled?

A good resource for information on odors is the Global Community Monitor website. GHASP collaborates with this organization from time to time.

Air Pollution and Lung Cancer Link Suggested

SStrawn — Tue, 19 Sep 2006 06:00:20 -0700

As reported in Forbes (!) today, researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas have found higher lung cancer rates in Texas counties with higher emissions, specifically of zinc, chromium and copper.

"It's disturbing that there might be something in the environment causing the problem," said study author Dr. Yvonne Coyle.

If you want to read the study in the Journal of Thoracic Oncology, it's found here. You won't find any report of the study in the Houston Chronicle or Dallas Morning News, though.

Mercury exposure can affect anyone

GHASP — Mon, 11 Sep 2006 13:06:01 -0700

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According to an essay in NRDC's This Green Life, many more people may be injured by mercury pollution exposure than is widely assumed.

The danger from mercury is not just to developing brains. A growing body of evidence suggests an association between mercury exposure and heart disease.

Even low levels of ozone affects infants

John Wilson — Fri, 30 Jun 2006 12:07:56 -0700

If your baby started showing asthmalike symptoms, you might be a little concerned. If you knew that the wheezing was caused by air pollution, you might be outraged. Even worse, even if we were meeting current federal health standards, it wouldn't be enough to protect that baby.

The recent study, led by epidemiologist Elizabeth W. Triche of the Yale University School of Medicine, is summarized by Science News (including references).Â

Triche's team recruited 691 women with 3-to-5-month-old infants from nonsmoking households around Roanoke, Va. Sixty-one moms had asthma, signaling that their babies were at high risk for developing the disease. The researchers collected daily respiratory data, as reported by the mothers, on all the children for 83 days in summer- the peak ozone season-and then correlated the infant's symptoms with outdoor measurements of several air pollutants.

Reporting Industrial Air Pollution

Laurie H — Sat, 10 Jun 2006 21:00:00 -0700

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A Guide for Residents of the Houston Region

If you live in the Houston area, you’ve probably seen or smelled air pollution from a refinery or petrochemical plant. Perhaps you’ve even begun to think of it as a normal or inevitable part of living in the region. However, some of these pollution events are violations of state and federal air quality regulations. If the pollution bothers you, or you suspect a facility is breaking the law, you should report the air pollution incident to a local air quality agency. See the back page for contact information and other resources.

How do I know if I’m witnessing an air pollution violation?

It can be difficult to know for certain when an industrial facility is violating the law. In general, though, let your senses guide you if something seems amiss. If you see large clouds of gray or black smoke coming from a facility, or if you smell a strong odor, make a report. Even if your complaint doesn’t result in the discovery of a violation, it may provide useful information to air pollution investigators.

What if I’m not at home when I see the problem?

If an air pollution problem affects you at home or work, it is more likely to lead to fines or penalties against the polluter. If you have to go inside because of the smell, or if you have difficulty breathing, make sure to inform the investigator. Such an incident may constitute an unlawful “nuisance,” because it affects the normal use and enjoyment of your home and property. If you aren’t at home or work, your complaint may not be considered a “nuisance.” Even so, it’s still a good idea to file a report, because it can trigger an inspection.

May I make an anonymous complaint?

If you wish, you may make an anonymous complaint. But if you can provide your name, address and phone number, your report is more likely to be admissible as evidence. Also, the investigator may need to contact you for additional details. Your confidentiality is protected, and this information will not be revealed to anyone without your consent. However, it is possible – though unlikely – that you may be asked to testify if the matter ends up in court.

What information should I provide in my complaint?

When you report an air pollution problem, an investigator will guide you through questions designed to help determine the characteristics and possible source of the pollution. If you have recurring problems with air pollution, consider keeping a journal or log that includes the details of each incident.

Visual Evidence

If you report smoke or a flare, you will need to describe the appearance of the pollution and duration of the event. A flare that emits smoke for more than five minutes, or that burns brightly for an extended time, may indicate a violation. For smoke, factors like color and opacity are important.

Odor Evidence

If you experience an odor, the investigator may ask you to describe how intense it is, how long it has lasted, and what it smells like (say, rotten eggs). If you limited your outdoor activities because of the odor, include that in your report.

Physical Effects

The investigator will also ask about the effects the pollution has had on you or others in your household, including health effects such as breathing difficulties or eye irritation. If anyone has needed to visit a doctor or take medication as a result of the incident, give the investigator the details.

Should I submit photographs or video of the pollution?

Yes. Even if your photos are not admissible as evidence, they can provide useful information. At a minimum, a photo can document the precise location of an event. If you take photos or video, it is helpful if you have a time/date stamp on them. Also, it is important to get a minimum of 5 minutes of coverage. Continue to take photos or recordings occasionally for as long as you observe the pollution. Make sure at least one of the photos or a portion of the video shows the overall location of the problem, including any company signs, cross streets or other identifying information.

Who should I call?

Who you call depends on where the problem is. Try to choose the agency with the proper jurisdiction, but don’t worry about calling the wrong one. Whoever answers the phone should direct you to the proper authorities.

Within Houston city limits
City of Houston – Bureau of Air Quality Control
Call 311 or (713) 640-4200

Within Harris County, but outside Houston city limits
Harris County – Public Health and Environmental Services
Call (713) 920-2831

Within Galveston County
Galveston County – Pollution Control Division
Call (409) 938-2251

Within the larger Houston region
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Environmental Hotline

1-800-777-3186 or e-mail cmplaint@tceq.state.tx.us
You can also visit www.tceq.state.tx.us/goto/report_problem
To report a smoking vehicle, go to www.smokingvehicle.org
or call 1-800-453-7664

Where can I learn more?

GHASP has a variety of air quality information on its website. To find out more about air pollution complaints, download “Whiners Matter! Citizen complaints lead to improved regional air quality.” You can also download a form for recording air pollution incidents.

ALA Publishes 2006 State of the Air Report

Laurie H — Thu, 04 May 2006 09:33:50 -0700

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In April, the American Lung Association released its annual State of the Air report for 2006. The 230-page report focuses on ozone pollution and particulate pollution throughout the U.S. In the study, the Houston area gets a grade F for ozone pollution and a grade C for particulate pollution.

The report lists Houston as number 6 on the list of cities with the worst ozone air pollution problems. However, you may recall that in 4 out of 7 recent years Houston has actually been in the number 1 spot . So did our air get better?

The answer is no. What changed is the standard for determining an ozone exceedance. In the past, EPA used 1-hour measurements of ozone to determine if an exceedance had occurred. Now, EPA uses an 8-hour ozone standard. This standard is considered more protective of public health, and has resulted in an significant increase in the number of declared ozone days in some cities.

However, it hasn't affected the number of ozone days declared in Houston nearly as much. Because of our large petrochemical industry and our weather patterns, we tend to have spikes of ozone pollution rather long, sustained events. However, these events still have adverse health effects.

When measured by the 1-hour ozone standard, Houston still ranks number 1 in the nation for ozone air pollution. Nothing has changed but the yardstick.

Hope is a real thing

John Wilson — Thu, 09 Mar 2006 13:00:00 -0800

As someone who works on air pollution issues, I get to hear stories from a lot of people. People have shared stories about kids with asthma, parents who got cancer from exposures at work, neighbors who got nauseous from the unavoidable accident at the plant down the street, employees who participated in illegal dumping, and just questions from average people about whether or not it is safe for them to take a walk in the morning.