Say It Isn't So - Fireworks

I happened to come across the memo below written by John Blair.  I was drawn to read this memo because of the first word, “Fireworks”. 

I can only say now that I have read it, I know those who fought for America’s freedom were in incredible life-threatening situations.  I’m certain  the  gun smoke was so thick one couldn’t see or breathe at times as they battled governmental taxation, oppression and control by the British. 

We celebrate our independence by remembering those who dedicated their lives to the establishment of our country.  Our custom of celebrating our independence happens to include fireworks.

Now that you have read this, I need to say for the record, I am not making any disparaging references to any of the unfortunate individuals affected or could be affected whom were mentioned in Mr. Blair’s letter.

I’m just saying no fireworks during the fourth of July is like Christmas without devotion to one’s faith.  We, the people, cannot afford to continue to give up our freedom and liberties.

Mack Steffen

http://www.mackformayor.com/

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From: John Blair; Valley Watch
Sent: Tuesday, July 05, 2011 3:57 PM
To: Cumberland Committee List
Subject: Deadly particulates reach historic levels in Evansville July 4

Fireworks throughout the community caused levels of fine particles to rise to historic levels in Evansville last night. At 9 PM, levels reached 153.92 (more than 4X the standard) at the monitor located on Buena Vista Ave. a level I have never seen recorded since the data was placed online in the 1990s.

Fine particles were projected to be bad due to normal activity for most of the weekend but instrument problems knocked the State's internet monitoring program down for both Sunday and Monday when fireworks cut visibility to near zero in many places in the Evansville community.

Thus, there will be no indication of any ambient air pollution violation since most of the data from these two horrible days may remain unknown. Fine particles are known to cause heart attacks, stroke, asthma and cancer for sensitive populations including children.

Botched data on days with high levels of pollution is not an uncommon occurrence. In fact, numerous days  are missing from Evansville data that is used by EPA to determine if an area meets the health based National Ambient Air Quality Standards for fine particles. Just recently, the comment period closed on the most recent effort by the State to have Evansville comply with the standards. Valley Watch filed comments on that proposal objecting to a "re-designation" from nonattainment to attainment because of "data gaps" we identified that occurred on some days when pollution was high everywhere around us but our monitors mysteriously did not function properly.

In any case, the level reached in Evansville last night could have been deadly for people and not only those that suffer from chronic respiratory ailments. It seems to us that some kind of warning should have been issued outlining the health risks that accompany the setting of fireworks, especially when the problem already exists even if the fireworks are not being fired.

Currently Evansville and much of SW Indiana remain in violation of the annual fine particle standard. It is unknown what EPA will decide on the re-designation. THe annual standard which is supposed to be revised downward in the near future is 15µg/m3. And the twenty four hour standard is 35µg/m3. 

John Blair