Title: EPA Releases Final Report on Toxic Air Pollution Near Manhattan I.S. 143 School Finds Pollutants Below Levels of Concern
Author: Elias Rodriguez
Date: 5-19-2011
Link: http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/0/98C3CCB88141C48885257895004FEEA5
Summary: The EPA tested the Intermediate School 143 of Manhattan, New York, a middle school for several air pollutants. They started testing in April and it lasted for two months. The main pollutants the EPA was testing for was 1,3-butadiene and benzene which come primarily from mobile sources such as; cars, trucks and buses. Since Manhattan is filled with transportation, it was the perfect representative for this study. It was revealed that there are no huge amounts of pollutants to cause much harm.
Opinion: I think this is great. I like to see people actually doing something to make sure, even if the situation is fine. The EPA showed that by testing the air quality of Manhattan. They could have said, “Eh, what’s the point of testing for if it will just give us results and no improvement.” I’m happy to see the air is not extremely toxic (yet) and that some people are doing their job in this country.
Graphic: http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://blog.petaflop.de/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/broadway-corner-w72-street-downtown-manhattan-nyc-new-york-city-usa-dscn8509.jpg&imgrefurl=http://blog.petaflop.de/2008/02/02/day-113-new-york-city-2/&usg=__f456cG4bn5SjMSwyBXM2qbeNNgY=&h=331&w=400&sz=55&hl=en&start=0&sig2=M7M4k_aXWVkrZ70P_sgMEw&zoom=1&tbnid=rBg3M-WmTCYzqM:&tbnh=126&tbnw=154&ei=mbnaTeqwKor1gAfx9qxY&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dmanhattan%2Bnew%2Byork%2Bstreets%2527%26hl%3Den%26biw%3D1020%26bih%3D558%26gbv%3D2%26tbm%3Disch&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=412&vpy=74&dur=187&hovh=204&hovw=247&tx=153&ty=158&sqi=2&page=1&ndsp=15&ved=1t:429,r:2,s:0&biw=1005&bih=558
This picture is a good visual of the streets and how much pollution can be given off in just that tiny little second the picture was taken.
Questions:
1) Should our school have the same tests done?
2) What other tests could our district do?
3) Are you glad to see stuff is being done?
4) What is another representative for a different type of test?
5) If their tests came up that they did have excessive pollution, what might of that done to their future lives?
Opinion: I think that taking a precausion and testing for air pollutants is a good idea. It lets people know that air pollution is a big deal and people should be more careful of what they do to the environment. Air pollution is a big deal and if other schools have tests done for air pollution it will make students and people realize that it is a big deal and that they should take action instead of just saying oh thats too bad. I remember hearing all the time on the news how air pollution is effecting many parts of the world and I thought that we don't have to worry about that in this part of the country. Reading this artcle about air pollutant testing has made me realize that we still need to worry about it in this area so that we can prevent air pollution from occurring in our part of the country.
ReplyDeleteAnswer to Questions:
1)Yes, I think our school should have tests done for air pollution. There are many pollutants released in the air each day from transportation and many other sources.
2) Another test our district could do is the temperature of humidity. In the middle school there is no air conditioning and I remember coming to school and it would be hotter in the school than it actually was outside.
3) Yes I am glad to see this stuff being done it lets other people would aren't aware of air pollution to see that is can have a great effect on the community if we aren't causious about it.
5) If air pollution was found in the school it could effect the kids reproductive system and could cause trouble with their health later on in life.
http://arch1design.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/pollution.jpg
This picture shows a school built right next to a factory that is letting out air pollution
I think that this is a step in the right direction for making our world a safer place. In just two months, the EPA was able to conclude that there was not a high enough amount of toxic pollutants to do any harm. Since other schools have become to do these tests, it could become more and more popular for schools to have tests conducted to determine if their school is safe or not. The way that this ties into my life is that if our school was to get tested, I am pretty sure that we would have low levels of toxic pollutants considering we have few industries. If not, I would probably have to switch schools and move to a different district possibly. All in all, I think that this is a great thing for our planet and I hope that many schools consider having the EPA conduct tests like the ones done in New York.
ReplyDeleteExpansion: http://manhattan.ny1.com/content/top_stories/139417/toxic-air-pollution-near-i-s--143-not-dangerous--epa-finds Good video and synopsis of what happened and why the toxic pollutants were tested by the EPA.
Questions Answers:
(Answer to #1): I suppose. It might not be as effective or accurate as the one conducted in the Manhattan School because we do not live in a densely populated area or industrial area. However, it would show us the presence of toxic pollutants such as benzene and butadiene and whether are high enough to cause health problems.
(Answer to #3): Yes, I am happy to see things like this being done to ensure the safety of staff and students of schools. The EPA is stepping up to conduct tests and make sure that these schools are safe for our children to attend.
3 Questions:
1. What are the possible health effects of being exposed to benzene and butadiene?
2. Are other schools in other states being tested similarly, or just in New York?
3. What should be the decision if there are high levels of toxic pollutants present
Opinion:
ReplyDeleteI agree with Charles that it is very good to know that people are actually testing for pollutants in our atmosphere. I am surprised that there are no really harmful pollutants in New York's air because there is a lot of carbon being released there. This is good for me because I go down to Philadelphia a lot, where there are lots of cars and trucks. I like to know that I am breathing healthy air when I travel to Philly. I think that we should run more tests similar to this in ALL of the world's major cities. I hope that we continue to have healthy air in the world.
Answers to Questions:
1) Yes we should have this done to prove to people that our air is safe.
2) We should have water tests, soil tests, and air tests in our district.
3) Of course I am glad to see things being done because it is important that we have a healthy world
Extension:http://www.orangecountymoldtesting.com/node/46
This article is about how mold can pollute the air and how you should test for it.
My Questions:
1)Were there any harmful pollutants found?
2)Did we ever run these tests in our area?
3)How do these tests work?
4)How much do these tests cost?
Opinion:
ReplyDeleteThis is interesting because it is so surprising. Manhattan seems like it would be one of the most polluted cities in the country, considering all the buses, cars, taxis, and such. I think it's great that there is no pollution, but I don't think that it will stay this way. I believe the EPA should do this more often for this school and the schools around it because it could get polluted very easily. The way this connects to me personally is because in class we talked about temperature inversions. A temperature inversion could happen in Manhattan, and that could result in that poisonous gas getting in the buildings and all over the city.
Answers to Questions:
1. Our school should be tested for air pollutants, but probably not this specific pollutant, because we live in a pretty suburban area with not a lot of buses, cars and such.
3. Yes because in class we always talk about how bad it is and it's nice to see something actually being done.
5. This would, obviously, affect the lives of the students and faculty in that particular building.
Graphic:
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.lookchem.com/UserFilesUpload/00%2869%29.png&imgrefurl=http://www.lookchem.com/Benzene-ethenyl--polymer-with-1-3-butadiene/&usg=__Tfv2pAcZnsz816idB8DIRFhwNng=&h=150&w=150&sz=3&hl=en&start=11&sig2=rpMnO7h3ck4tqoM_Nthjuw&zoom=0&tbnid=cUFkJPsT9mUZEM:&tbnh=96&tbnw=96&ei=cx7cTZiSIorL0AHNxsnvDw&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dbutadiene%2Band%2Bbenzene%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26biw%3D1045%26bih%3D484%26tbm%3Disch&um=1&itbs=1
I'm not sure, but I believe this is the molecule for the pollutant they tested for.
Questions I ask:
1. How harmful is this specific pollutant?
2. What would have been done if they found it in the school?