From Ohio Citizen Action, we learn more about our disgraceful Mittal/ISG mess, and that their environmental representative is none other than "non-profit" Sustainable Cleveland partner attorney David Nash. At least nobody in NEO can be fooled into thinking Sustainable Cleveland is about environmentalism! What a price to pay for some low wage offshore-owned toxic jobs... killing 25% of our population more quickly and horribly with lung and heart disease. That's not sustainable.

CLEVELAND -- Cleveland's air ranks among the worst in the nation for pollution from fine, microscopic particles, which can cause lung and heart disease. Mittal Steel put out 403 tons of fine particles per year into Cleveland's air in 2005, according to figures submitted to the Ohio EPA in April 2006. Mittal also reported putting 175 tons of heavier, visible particles (soot) into the air. Over Memorial Day weekend, neighbors of Mittal Steel on Independence Rd. in Cleveland witnessed "black clouds" of pollution coming from the steel mill, and called one of the company's environmental representatives, attorney David Nash, to come and witness the problem himself. Neighbors also experienced metal showers overnight and were kept awake by trucks working throughout the night in the area behind Independence Rd, Sandy Buchanan, Ohio Citizen Action.
MORE ON NOACA
May 30: Fine particle pollution warning issued today for Cleveland

From my work with lead eradication I know Environmental Health Watch has great information on the 25% environmental death factor in NEO - and they have extensive information on air pollution - definitely review all the info they provide there and follow their links to learn much more...

From Ohio Citizen Action, we find the following article...

Jun 17:  Almost a quarter of all disease caused by environmental exposure

16 JUNE, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND -- "As much as 24% of global disease is caused by environmental exposures which can be averted. Well-targeted interventions can prevent much of this environmental risk, the World Health Organization demonstrates in a report issued today. The report further estimates that more than 33% of disease in children under the age of 5 is caused by environmental exposures. Preventing environmental risk could save as many as four million lives a year, mostly in developing countries. The report, Preventing disease through healthy environments - towards an estimate of the environmental burden of disease, is the most comprehensive and systematic study yet undertaken on how preventable environmental hazards contribute to a wide range of diseases and injuries," press release, World Health Organization.

I was driving past a used car lot in Shaker and saw two Hummers front and center - so they're starting their second reign of terror - the first owners, who surely just leased these curses for "kicks", or to be biggest man on the block while it seemed soooo cool, are already out of their jams... leases up and huge wealth destroyed but these people clearly burn money for fun - the owners can now escape and be cool having whatever Madison Ave says is cool next. But society is stuck with the cursed big iron and pollution and wasted resources for decades. Gas guzzler owners do not only curse themselves and the planet for the terms of their leases but they curse generations for decades by creating a market for gas guzzlers in the first place and leaving a leagcy of waste that lasts as long as their old iron hangs on... I don't imagine Hummers will hold up very well  but even after GM is finally bankrupt or at least stops making Hummers we'll be seeing them passing through increasingly desperate hands of people who can afford them less and less...

I'm trying to understand this air pollution thing - it rained like crazy yesterday and that seems to clear the air - this morning the ozone maps read "good" - can we perdict how it will be later today? Is the pollution level related to rain, and does that mean all that pollution is now in Lake Erie? Any experts in this out there?