| Matt, thanks for the update on this issue. After reading your message, I'm concerned about the human impacts of pollution in northeast Ohio.
First and quite simply, I think that it's inadequate to expect networked monitors in a region as large as northeast Ohio to be able to compensate for each other's outages, and that it's a matter of opinion whether high particulate levels are unhealthy only if they persist for a 24-hour period. I'd say it's downright insensitive to claim otherwise, particularly for those who live in a relatively less polluted area.
Second and more core to my concerns, I think all of this points to inadequate attention and resources given to the environmental health and welfare of Ohioans. At a certain point, the profit made from polluting just isn't worth it anymore, and we have to look seriously at major pollution sources. For the compassionate, there are sick kids missing school; for the pragmatic, there are astronomical health bills. Also, I haven't heard of these kinds of ongoing technical problems in other places - does northeast Ohio just not getting the funding it needs, or have the state or federal programs not done their part?
In the interest of a sustainable economy and health communities, we need public officials to see these things and take action today to protect people and the environment tomorrow.
-best, m!-
--
Matthew/Mattie Reitman
Beyond Coal Field Organizer, Ohio
Sierra Club, 131 N High St #605, Columbus OH 43215
mattie [dot] reitman [at] sierraclub [dot] org
614.461.0734 x316 (o) / 315.450.6628 (c)
On Wed, Aug 4, 2010 at 11:47 AM, Carroll, Matthew <MCarroll [at] city [dot] cleveland [dot] oh [dot] us> wrote:
Norm,
The Air Quality staff have prepared this response to the questions you have raised, including a brief update since your June 22nd email regarding inaccuracies and lack of monitoring data. We were able to obtain use of a replacement monitor through USEPA which is a newer continuous dichotomous ambient monitor. We also had to make that monitor the index (main data collection) monitor when our continuous PM monitor was malfunctioning due to environmental factors. The switch was made on June 24th.
Because of the switch in monitors, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency has the responsibility, assets and the software to make available raw data to the various agencies such as NOACA. Any changes in instrument designation, such as making an instrument the index (main data collection) must be made by and through them. Switching instruments to the index monitor must be done with care and consideration.
We looked at what you forwarded from Air Now which appears to be a forecast for July 29th. You are correct that there was no information showing on the NOACA website for the monitoring site because the USEPA replacement instrument which we have chosen to use as the index (main collection) data monitor which has been providing data since the switch occurred on June 24th until it started malfunctioning and was placed in maintenance mode on July 28th. Our technician responded immediately and has been working diligently along with conferring with technicians from USEPA to troubleshoot the instrument and make any repairs necessary to get it back up and running. On July 28th the AQI’s was in the moderate range.
In your email you also mentioned the air was unhealthy as you drove through the Flats. The categories for healthy or unhealthy are based on a 24 hour average. A one hour average of 40µg/m3 does not mean it is unhealthy, only when the average persists for 24 hours. For the most part the air quality in Northeast Ohio is considered the same with usually only minor differences in the results from the various monitors. If one or two monitors are not operating correctly within the network, they still have good representation from the other instruments to determine the AQI.
The continuous PM monitors allow us the opportunity to collect data in “real time” of possible events that can be used to get information to that segment of the population that may have health problems that may benefit from an early warning.
We continue to review possible solutions to maintain as consistent and reliable “real time” data stream. We are currently reviewing newer instruments on the market with higher reliability, less down time and can function better under less than ideal conditions. Our technicians will continue to maintain and operate the instruments in our inventory until such time as newer or additional assets become available.\
Please let us know if you would like to discuss further or if you need more information.
Thank you for your concern.
Matt Carroll, Director
Cleveland Department of Public Health
75 Erieview Plaza, 2d Floor |Cleveland, Ohio 44114
(office) 216-664-6790 | (fax) 216-664-2197|(mobile) 216-857-5099
mcarroll [at] city [dot] cleveland [dot] oh [dot] us| www.clevelandhealth.org
Cleveland Conserves - Do Your Part to Save Energy
From: Norm Roulet [mailto:norm [dot] roulet [at] gmail [dot] com]
Sent: Thursday, July 29, 2010 12:43 PM
To: Carroll, Matthew; Ryan, John (Brown); pamszoo [at] sbcglobal [dot] net; mattie [dot] reitman [at] sierraclub [dot] org; sgreenberg [at] ehw [dot] org
Subject: Fwd: Daily Air Quality Forecast for Cleveland-Akron-Lorain
This is already so far off today it may be regarded only as a sick, evil, stupid joke. We were in moderate at best at 12AM, even with the rain, wind, temperature and BP changes - I just drove through the Flats and the conditions South, East and West are clearly unhealthy.
And, even with all the monitoring data broken, we see our air is unheathy now via the incomplete data available via the EPA
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: EnviroFlash <enviroflash [at] sonomatech [dot] com>
Date: Wed, Jul 28, 2010 at 4:51 PM
Subject: Daily Air Quality Forecast for Cleveland-Akron-Lorain
To: norm [dot] roulet [at] gmail [dot] com |
Printer-friendly version
This doesn't answer my questions, and is gibberish
Daily Air Quality Forecast for Cleveland-Akron-Lorain
I need to see documentation and source documents.
I'm just a citizen and have suffered greatly for having to address these issues for you.
I'll make a new list and cross off what you have answered if anything and return it to you, the Senator, the Ohio EPA, Region 5 and the Sierra Club.
Mattie, thank you for expressing your expert perspectives on this.
Disrupt IT
Why don't you send this to the doctors on your committee
Daily Air Quality Forecast for Cleveland-Akron-Lorain
Why don't you send this to the doctors on your committee and see if they agree with the City.
Norm
Disrupt IT
What does our Asthma data report for these communities?
Daily Air Quality Forecast for Cleveland-Akron-Lorain
How dies this chart from the Ohio EPA serve the purposes of citizens, what data is correct and not, where is the NEW Cleveland Monitor data in this, and are the people in the core of Cleveland, say 2000 yards from Mittal, really safer than the people in Medina?
What does our Asthma data report for these communities?
I look forward to your response - 1,000s more screenshots and questions to follow until this map shows real data every second of every day, without any of your people touching one thing.
Doesn't that make sense?
Disrupt IT
Is the air more dangerous today in Sheffield Lake
Daily Air Quality Forecast for Cleveland-Akron-Lorain
Is any of the data reflected in the attached Cleveland 12 PM chart correct, and which data - and where is that reflected in any of the other air quality charts and information provided to taxpayers, like the previous AirNow chart I sent you?
Is the air more dangerous today in Sheffield Lake - are they polluting Cleveland? Is Akron polluting Cleveland?
Are you familiar with the reality of source point pollution and the existence of a combination steel mill in the Cleveland Flats?
Is this region simply unsafe for all... and for how many 100 miles?
Disrupt IT
I will analyze the politicians who did this to us to death
Medical Center Company hearing on Tuesday!
We are looking at filing a class action law suit
We are starting a trade embargo of UCI institutions on MCCO - my parents will seed the fund
I will pursue criminal and civil charges against the Cleveland Department of Air Quality and all parties associated with our air quality data in the world...
I will analyze the politicians who did this to us to death
For starters
--
Norm Roulet
ICEarth - realNEO - real coop
norm [at] realneo [dot] us
216-688-5221
Disrupt IT
CLASS ACTION SUIT ON BEHALF OF TREMONT RESIDENTS
Does anyone know if the 2010 census results have been posted yet? After the last census it was determined that the Tremont community was home to approximately 9,000 residents with approx. 50% being at or below poverty level.
Just to refresh memory's, approx. 520 business owners and residents make up the membership of TWDC. That means that out of the 9/10 block clubs those who are running the show and making decisions for our so called best interest (quality of life issues) is basically less than 4% of the Tremont population.
Why do we have a select handful of people deciding what we do and do not have to deal with? These individuals get to gether and raise their hands as to our right to breath clean air, our right to quiet and peaceful enjoyment of our homes, etc. They pass along their agreemfents of support to our city council who inturn passes it along to other city officials, BOZA, etc., in letters of support and endorsement that it is "what the people want." How can less than 4% of the population speak on our behalf?
How can our council people and other city officials stand up and with a straight face say this is the will of the people when they have no idea what the other 96% thinks?
Since it is our leadership and local government that is handing out one permit right after the other granting permission to block our sidewalks, blast noise in our back doors, force us to stay indoors to avoid the multitude of drunks, pissers and vomiteers, I do believe it is time for accountability.
I attended a TWDC Economic Development Meeting tonight wherein certain business owners were patted on the back and after years of non-compliance, two zoning board resolution that were never complied to and yet I heard, 'let's give them a chance."
I think it's time to call the City of Cleveland and it's officials personally up to muster. Let's get them into court and find out why the other 96% of the population has no voice, are not taken seriously, and basically told to "suck it up." Are our leadership and elected officials put in office to only represent the big time business owners and those with deep pockets? Perhaps it is time to start looking for new leadership and those of us who are left to deal with the fall out find someone who has the balls to stand up for our rights?
If I were looking for a pat on the back, I could easily swing to the other side, scoot myself up to the table and jive but I'd rather stand for something that to fall for bullshit. It was handed out tonight by the buckets.
census 2010
Jerleen, I have been wondering the same thing re: census results. I will check next week to see if any results have been released.
The results of the census will be interesting. One end result will be that city council will be reduced again, and Cleveland will lose more funding with the decreased population figures.
Need info/Help
Sorry, didn't know to get this message on the recent comments section unless I wrote on someone else's. Anyone have an email for anyone who works at Merrick House, either the director or someone else higher up? I'm interested in starting a creative writing class in Tremont and thought Merrick House might be a good venue. Thanks!
try contacting lovief [at]
try contacting lovief [at] mhsettlement [dot] org see if you get a response, if not, I'll look up someone else.
Thanks!
Thanks!
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census questions
I answered all the questions. I gave them all the information they wanted. I used old census records to track family many generations back and found the information invaluable.
There are penalties for not answering the questions in full but the Census people say that NO ONE can get private information for a number of years. They do not say how the patriot act impacts the confidentiality of the information. Anyone know?