Air Quality Action Tip For April

Courtesy of our friends at the Air Quality Partnership of Susquehanna Valley: 

Take your lunch to work and avoid a mid-day trip.

old engines pollute up to five times more than warm ones. A cold engine is one that has been sitting for over an hour. By eating lunch at work, you can avoid starting your car an extra time in the afternoon. You can also save money by packing a lunch as opposed to buying one.

You can also enjoy the clean air outside at a nearby park or green space!

Reminder: LANTA Meetings Tomorrow

Partnership member the Coalition for Appropriate Transportation is sponsoring two public meetings to discuss possibe LANTA service cuts with local and regional leaders.  

FRIDAY, MARCH 23, 2007
BETHLEHEM SENIOR CENTER
720 OLD YORK RD. BETHLEHEM
10:00– 11:30 AM
BETHLEHEM CITY HALL
10 E. CHURCH ST. BETHLEHEM
5:30 – 7:00 PM
SPONSORED BY  the Coalition for Appropriate Transportation
60 West Broad Street #97, Bethlehem, PA  18018
610.954.5744

“Going, going, green!”

This article  at Sports Illustrated discusses carbon neutral and self-sustaining sports stadiums of the future.

Air Quality Forecast, Thursday, March 8

Date: Thursday, March 8, 2007
Action Day?:  No
Temperature:  Mid 30s
Discussion:
High pressure building across the Mississippi Valley will make for a generally quiet and breezy day on Thursday. Northwesterly winds will kick up during the afternoon and become gusty at times before relaxing towards the evening hours. The northwest flow will keep skies fair with partly to mostly sunny conditions expected. Temperatures will remain cool for this time of year, but will be warmer than recent days with afternoon highs approaching the freezing mark. Brisk winds and dry, clean background air will keep fine particulates in the code GREEN range.

Air Quality Forecast, Tuesday, March 6

Even colder air will work across the Northeast early Tuesday morning behind the continued strong, northwesterly winds. Morning lows in the low to mid teens will struggle to reach the mid 20s despite nearly brilliant sunshine for much of the day. Fine particulate levels will fall further into the code GREEN range due to the dry, clean nature of the airmass along with the expected gusty conditions throughout the day.

Air Quality Forecast for Monday, March 5

Date: Monday, March 5, 2007
Action Day?: No
Temperature: Lower 40s
Discussion:
Partly sunny Monday with brisk northerly winds and a stray flurry or shower possible. Monday afternoon temperatures should peak in the lower 40s. Fine-particulate concentrations should remain in the code GREEN (good) range

Used Water-Based Paints This Spring

Spring is just around the corner.  As you prepare for your spring cleaning activities, keep air quality issues in mind.  Today we look at how you can apply air quality awareness to your next painting project.

Oil-based paints and varnishes contain a high percentage of volatile organic compounds that evaporate into the air we breathe. Low or no VOC paints are usually water-based latex paints and are less polluting and easier to wash off your hands and equipment. The American Lung Association notes that VOCs can cause eye or skin irritation and lung and kidney damage.
 

 

What Is Particulate Matter?

Particle pollution (also known as “particulate matter”) in the air includes a mixture of solids and liquid droplets. Some particles are emitted directly; others are formed in the atmosphere when other pollutants react. Particles come in a wide range of sizes. Those less than 10 micrometers in diameter are so small that they can get into the lungs, potentially causing serious health problems. Ten micrometers is smaller than the width of a single human hair.

• Fine particles. Particles less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter are called “fine” particles. These particles are so small they can be detected only with an electron microscope. Sources of fine particles include all types of combustion, including motor vehicles, power plants, residential wood burning, forest fires, agricultural burning, and some industrial processes.

• Coarse dust particles. Particles between 2.5 and 10 micrometers in diameter are referred to as “coarse.” Sources of coarse particles include crushing or grinding operations, and dust stirred up by vehicles traveling on roads.

For more information on particle pollution visit:

Particle Pollution and Your Health

http://www.epa.gov/air/particlepollution/index.html

EPA: Particulate Matter Website

LANTA Service Cuts?

Partnership member the Coalition for Appropriate Transportation is sponsoring two public meetings on possibe LANTA service cuts.  Please see the CAT memo below.  LANTA is also a valued part of our partnership.

 From CAT:

Are LANTA service cuts coming?

Many bus trips may be eliminated in 2008 including some route B, J, R, C, S, W & K runs, plus some Stable, Trexlertwon, Sunday N & E and Night Owl Runs.

SAVE OUR SERVICE BY ATTENDING ONE OF TWO PUBLIC MEETINGS FOR ALL LANTA RIDERS TO DISCUSS PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION WITH OUR REGIONAL, COUNTY AND LOCAL LEADERS.

FRIDAY, MARCH 23, 2007
BETHLEHEM SENIOR CENTER
720 OLD YORK RD. BETHLEHEM
10:00– 11:30 AM
BETHLEHEM CITY HALL
10 E. CHURCH ST. BETHLEHEM
5:30 – 7:00 PM
SPONSORED BY  the Coalition for Appropriate Transportation
60 West Broad Street #97, Bethlehem, PA  18018
610.954.5744 or cat@car-free.org
See our website at car-free.org for more info and to join CAT today!