LV Breathes Project: Only 23 of 40 Air Monitors Installed Since August

In a sunny August day last year, as diesel trucks belched fumes as they brought in equipment for Musikfest at Sand Island, County Execs Phil Armstrong (Lehigh) and Lamont McClure (NorCo) announced a project  called Lehigh Valley Breathes. The plan was to install 40 air monitors throughout both counties. These measure tiny particulate matter called PM2.5. These are fine inhalable particles, less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter, that come from emissions of gasoline, oil, diesel fuel and burning wood. After collecting data for a full year through all four seasons, report is to be issued to both counties and to the public, including possible recommendations to municipal governments. How's this project going? 

As of today, only 23 of the 40 monitors purchased by both counties have been installed. 

According to the latest monthly report from Lehigh Valley Breathes, "our preliminary analysis of existing monitors shows that there are higher levels of average PM2.5 in areas that are proximate to roadways and warehouses than at our urban background sites." This seems like common sense. But interestingly, whenever I look at their ShinyApp, the highest concentrations of PM2.5 I've seen have been in Lower Mount Bethel, nowherenear a major roadway or warehouse.

UPDATED - LV Air Quality is Now "Hazardous" - Code Maroon

Lehigh Valley Air Quality was Code Red (198) as of 8 am.  As of 2 pm, it has jumped to Code Purple (361).  As of 3 pm, it has risen to Code Purple (422) This means our aiur quality is now considered "hazardous" for everyone.  "Avoid all physical activity outdoors." Our reduced air quality is the result of smoke spreading from Canadian wildfires. Below is a guide.

AirNow has the following advice:

Smoke is made up of a complex mixture of gases and fine particles produced when wood and other organic materials burn. The biggest health threat from smoke is from fine particles. These microscopic particles can get into your eyes and respiratory system, where they can cause health problems such as burning eyes, runny nose, and illnesses such as bronchitis. Fine particles also can aggravate chronic heart and lung diseases - and even are linked to premature deaths in people with these conditions.

If you are healthy, you're usually not at a major risk from short-term exposures to smoke. Still, it's a good idea to avoid breathing smoke if you can help it. Everyone should take the steps below when wildfires are present.

Use common sense. If it looks smoky outside, it's probably not a good time to mow the lawn or go for a run. And it's probably not a good time for your children to play outdoors.

Pay attention to local air quality reports. Stay alert to smoke-related news coverage or health warnings.

Visit AirNow to find out the Air Quality Index in your area. As smoke gets worse, the amount of particles in the air changes - and so do the steps you should take to protect yourself. AirNow recommends precautions you can take to protect your health when air pollution gets bad.

If you are advised to stay indoors, take steps to keep indoor air as clean as possible. When smoke levels are high, try to avoid using anything that burns, such as wood fireplaces, gas logs, gas stoves - and even candles! Don't vacuum. That stirs up particles already inside your home. And don't smoke. That puts even more pollution in your lungs, and in the lungs of people around you.

If you have asthma or other lung disease, make sure you follow your doctor's directions about taking your medicines and following your asthma management plan. Call your doctor if your symptoms worsen.

Run your air conditioner if you have one. Keep the fresh air intake closed and the filter clean to prevent bringing additional smoke inside. Note: If you don't have an air conditioner, staying inside with the windows closed may be dangerous in extremely hot weather. In these cases, seek alternative shelter.

If you have heart or lung disease, if you are an older adult, or if you have children, talk with your doctor about whether and when you should leave the area. When smoke is heavy for a prolonged period of time, fine particles can build up indoors, even though you may not be able to see them.

To track wildfires across the U.S., go to Fire and Smoke Map.

As of 5 pm, the Lehigh Valley has the worst air quality in the state. 464!

UPDATED 2:58 PM, 4:13 PM, 5:38 PM

Where to Check Air Quality - We Were Code Purple

When I walked yesterday morning, things seemed fine. But in the late afternoon, when I left Nazareth to meet my grandson for a bike ride on the Ironton Trail, the skies were hazy and I could smell burning wood. One of my neighbors told me it was from a wildfire on Farmersville Road. I figured that I'd be fine in Coplay, but it was just as bad there. I was unaware at the time that the haze and burning odor were the result of a Canadian wildfire. I checked and learned that the air we were breathing was unhealthy and we should refrain from outdoor activity. So we rode. It was very nice because, other than a dead body here and there, there was no traffic. 

As the evening progressed, I developed a burning sensation in my eyes. I looked for and found the Air Quality Index here. At 11 pm, the Air Quality Index in the Lehigh Valley was 220. That is Code Purple, meaning the air is "very unhealthy." At this time of year, our AQI is usually 42. 

The forecast for today is an AQI of 135, which means the air will be unhealthy for sensitive groups. 

Guess what? N95 Facemasks help. 

RIP Charlie Chrin

Colorful business leader Charlie Chrin, age 94, passed away on Saturday. His obit claims that his route 33 Interchange in Tatamy is the"crown jewel" of his career. I'd disagree. I think it would be hard to single out any of his numerous ventures, from landfills to banks to residential and commercial development. I'd say his legacy is his charity, especially to organizations like The Miracle League.

“On behalf of my family and the good people of Northampton County, we send our deepest condolences to the Chrin family at this difficult time," said NorCo Exec Lamont McClure. "We pray the fond memories they have comfort them in the days, weeks and months to come.”

Gas Compressor Foes Ask NorCo Council For Help

Columbia Gas plans to expand a compressor station in Forks Township. But a group of local residents are urging the state Department of Environmental Expansion to deny a permit. Forks Township has already adopted a resolution signalling its opposition. Although the deadline for public comment has passed, compressor foes asked Northampton County Council to take similar action at their meeting last Thursday.

According to the state DEP, the project application can be reviewed at its Wilkes-Barre or Bethlehem District Offices. but you have to make an appointment. (610-861-2070).

The state has already ruled that compressor stations are not major sources of pollution, but four people at Thursday's Council meeting had a different view. Joan Deen, who is active in the Northampton County League of Women Voters, made the following observations:

• Columbia Gas wants to increase the horsepower at the compressor station from 2,250 hp to 21,000 hp (The Express Times said the increase would be from 5,000 to 22,000) "Obviosuly, they have plans for the future, notes Deen.
• Though a school bus is unable to idle for more than 15 minutes because of air pollution concerns, this expanded station will be the equivalent of 168 school buses idling 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. 
• The station as expanded will annually emit 70 tons of nitrous oxide; 163 tons of carbon monoxide; 15 tons of particulate matter that we will breathe in; 9 tons of volatile components; 99,000 tons of greenhouse gases; and 1/2 ton of sulfur dioxide.  

Tom Church, who worked for natural gas companies for 15 years, is opposed to the expansion. He argued that even if council fails to adopt a resolution opposing the permit, it really should update its emergency response plan. He stated the station is only 300' from some homes, though a google map search reveals that the compressor station is surrounded mostly by farmland.

Compressor foes have established a Facebook page, Stop the Easton Compressor Station.