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Preliminary Results Available for EPA’s Air Quality
Monitoring at St. Helens Elementary School
Early analysis indicates air quality is well within acceptable health-based standards.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 29, 2009
VANCOUVER, Wash. - This monitoring project is part of a larger national initiative measuring air quality at 62 schools in 22 states to better understand whether outdoor toxic air pollution poses health concerns to school children. Monitoring at St. Helens Elementary will continue through the fall and may extend into the winter months. Additional results from this study will be posted as data become available on EPA’s website.
“These preliminary results are in line with what we expected to see for the Longview area,” said Robert Elliott, executive director for the Southwest Clean Air Agency. “While these initial numbers do indicate air toxics are present, they are well below the acceptable health-based screening levels as determined by the EPA. As the study continues and we learn more, we will communicate that information. At the end of the study we will hold an informational meeting with parents, teachers and the community to answer questions and address concerns.”
Air toxics are pollutants known or suspected to cause cancer and other serious health effects. SWCAA regulates emissions of toxic air pollutants throughout southwest Washington. While industry contributes to regional toxic air pollution, most exposure to toxic air pollution is caused by vehicle engines, fuel evaporation, wood burning and a host of other small sources.
The Southwest Clean Air Agency’s air quality regulations have resulted in considerable reductions of air toxics originating from many types of industrial processes. SWCAA has also facilitated the retrofitting of more than 100 diesel school buses and diesel fleet vehicles in the Longview/Kelso area to reduce toxic diesel emissions. To further reduce toxic air pollution from vehicle emissions, the agency has also been working with area schools to launch anti-idling programs.
If you wish to be notified of further developments with this monitoring program, please contact Laurie Hulse-Moyer at or 360-574-3058, ext. 32.
Founded in 1968, the mission of the Southwest Clean Air Agency is to preserve and enhance the air quality in southwest Washington. Serving the counties of Clark, Cowlitz, Lewis, Skamania and Wahkiakum, SWCAA is responsible for protecting the public’s health through the enforcement of federal, state and local air quality standards and regulations.
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For more information contact:
| Robert Elliott Executive Director Southwest Clean Air Agency 360-574-3058 |
Laurie Hulse-Moyer Air Quality Specialist Southwest Clean Air Agency 360-574-3058 |
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Madonna Narvaez, Air Toxics Team Leader |
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