WI air pollution advisory yesterday and today

[Connonym]

<snip> The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is issuing an Air Quality Watch for Particle Pollution effective 10:00 am on Monday, February 25th 2008 through 11:59 pm on Monday, February 25th 2008 for all Wisconsin counties. The watch is being issued because of the forecast for elevated levels of fine particles in the air. Fine particle pollution is composed of microscopic dust, soot, liquid droplets and smoke particles that are 2.5 microns or smaller. These fine particles come primarily from combustion sources, such as power plants, factories and other industrial sources, vehicle exhaust, and outdoor fires.

The Air Quality Index is forecast to reach the orange level, which is considered unhealthy for people in sensitive groups. People in those sensitive groups include those with heart or lung disease, asthma, older adults and children. When an air quality watch is issued, people in those groups are advised to reschedule or cut back on strenuous activities during the watch period.

People with lung diseases such as asthma and bronchitis and heart disease should pay attention to cardiac symptoms like chest pain and shortness of breath or respiratory symptoms like coughing, wheezing and discomfort when taking a breath, and consult with their physician if they have concerns or are experiencing symptoms. Fine particle pollution deposits itself deep into the lungs and cannot easily be exhaled. People who are at risk are particularly vulnerable after several days of high particle pollution exposure.

ETA a link http://dnr.wi.gov/air/aq/health/status.asp

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Be careful out there, especially if you've got asthma or any other respiratory condition.

[dembotoz]

1. had a nasty asthma attack saturday night.

not fun
not fun

[Broca]

2. Unfortunately

the politicians show little concern. Gov. Doyle even had his picture taken at the Groundbreaking of the Weston 4 coal-fired plant at Weston.

You can help:

The message is simple: tell your state legislators to vote “Yes” on the Wisconsin Safe Climate Act (SB 81 / AB 157).

To find out who your state legislators are and their contact information, go to http://waml.legis.state.wi.us/

The toll free number direct to your assembly person's office is 1-888-534 00__ and the last two digits are the assembly district, for example 1-888-534-0069 for Scott Suder.

The Wisconsin Safe Climate Act is a vital measure to combat the potentially disastrous effects of global warming. This legislation will put us on the right track to decreasing global warming pollution in our own back yard. Provisions of the bill that increase energy efficiency and invest in clean energy will lower carbon dioxide emissions to 1990 levels by 2020.

Our state legislators will be voting on the Wisconsin Safe Climate Act as early as Tuesday, February 26. We must take action to urge state legislators to support this bill, as there are very few days left in the legislative session. A few votes are likely to make the crucial difference in either house.

Please let your State Senator and State Representative know that you support the Wisconsin Safe Climate Act and that you want them to Vote “Yes” on this critical bill. Your voice is essential if we are to pass this legislation.

[sloquick]

4. Politicians and Air Quality

Surprisingly, George Bush doesn't get enough credit for his efforts.......


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ph0kvSADDGE

[kb9vrg]

3. That explains the strange breathing...

...And why I felt I actually had to grab the old inhaler a couple of times in the last few days.

[undeterred]

5. Doyle is terrible on this.

Gov. Jim Doyle has asked the federal government to declare all of Wisconsin in compliance with national clean air standards, despite recent findings by his own Department of Natural Resources that the air in several counties is so dirty it could threaten human health.

In a letter to the federal Environmental Protection Agency late last year, Doyle acknowledged that several counties are in violation of standards for particulate pollution -- the fine particles that come from burning coal and vehicle exhaust and that make breathing difficult for people with asthma and other lung afflictions.

But changes in state law should bring all counties into compliance by 2015, he wrote. Doyle 's letter, along with documents and e-mails detailing internal debate within the DNR about the issue, were obtained last week in an open records request by the Sierra Club.

Officials with Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce, the state 's largest business lobbying group, praised Doyle 's action and said the stricter pollution controls required for counties declared out of compliance -- or "non-attainment " areas -- would be a hardship on state industries and utilities.

http://www.madison.com/wsj/topstories/275159

How nice to have our Democratic governor praised by WMC. :sarcasm: