Subj: TIPSHEET of 24 MARCH 1999 Date: 99-03-23 17:09:36 EST From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Beth Parke) To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] TIPSHEET of 24 MARCH 1999 Story Ideas for Environmental, Science, and Health Journalists TipSheet provides biweekly news tips for journalists on potential environmental stories and sources. TipSheet is a joint product of the Society of Environmental Journalists, the Radio and Television News Directors Foundation, and the National Safety Council's Environmental Health Center. ************************ -- School Air May Be Poor -- EDF to Post Air Toxic Data <<---------********** -- Greenhouse Gas Data Now Online -- Wind Power Blowing Strong ************************ ONE IN FIVE SCHOOLS HAS POOR INDOOR AIR Why can't Johnny stay awake in class ... or stop wheezing? Poor indoor air quality (IAQ) at school may be the culprit. A January 1999 report from Oak Ridge National Lab noted that 20% of U.S. elementary and secondary schools have IAQ problems. It summarizes the science and offers prevention and mitigation tips. Children are more susceptible to IAQ health risks than adults, and growing asthma among kids is a major cause of absence. Not only may lead, radon, formaldehyde, volatile organic compounds, pesticides, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide be problems, but molds and mildews can cause serious allergic reactions. Pollutants may interfere with learning by causing drowsiness, headaches, and a lack of concentration. New school construction is an opportunity to prevent IAQ problems. Has your school district checked for problems and addressed them? Check with local American Lung Assn. chapters and PTAs. Download report from <http://www.eren.doe.gov/buildings/pdfs/iaq.pdf> or ask for "Causes of Indoor Air Quality Problems in Schools" from NTIS, 800-553-6847. Charlene Bayer, Georgia Tech, 404-894-5361. Ask for the "Tools for Schools Action Kit" from the EPA/EHC IAQ Hotline, 800-438-4318. ************************ SOMETHING IN THE AIR? EDF TO POST SUPPRESSED DATA The Environmental Defense Fund plans to post on its web site within a few weeks controversial estimates of people's cumulative exposure to 148 toxic air pollutants. It is the first geographically detailed estimate of exposure to air toxics, which went largely unregulated before 1990. The database, expected to be on-line by Earth Day (April 22), will allow reporters to estimate toxic air pollution exposure -- with cancer risks and a comparison to EPA exposure standards -- for particular zip codes and census tracts. EPA has published a national summary of the data (with caveats) at: <http://www.epa.gov/cumulativeexposure/air/air.htm> The agency killed plans to publish local data when the U.S. Conference of Mayors complained that estimates were based on modeling of conditions in 1990, not current monitoring (1996 data due out later this year). EPA and the mayors note the accuracy of models is limited and that progress may have been made in many cities since 1990. But enviros say estimates fit real-world data fairly well. Bill Pease, EDF, 510-658-8008, <http://scorecard.org>. Kevin McCarty or Katie Cullen, U.S. Conference of Mayors, 202-293-7330. ************************ DRAFT INVENTORY OF 1999 GREENHOUSE EMISSIONS ONLINE EPA released the draft 1999 inventory of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions on March 9. It includes a detailed breakdown of latest trends in emissions by industry sectors. Download from <http://www.epa.gov/globalwarming/inventory/1999-inv.html>. For hard copy, fax: 202-260-6405. Wiley Barbour, EPA, 202-260-6972. *********************** U.S. WINDPOWER BOOM TIME ... AT LEAST FOR NOW New wind turbines are whirling throughout the nation. In 1998, the U.S. added 230 megawatts of wind energy capacity -- the biggest expansion since 1986 -- largely due to a federal tax credit set to expire in June 1999. It may or may not be renewed. Recent projects range from ME to NM, but focus in MN, CO, WY, and TX. The Great Plains and Rocky Mountain states are the "Saudi Arabia of wind," with especially rich unexploited resources in ND, SD, and IA. See: http://www.igc.org/awea/faq/usresource.html Wind farm siting can be controversial, mainly because of aesthetics. Europe still leads this industry. Michelle Montague, American Wind Energy Assn., 202-383-2508, <http://www.igc.org/awea>. Chris Flavin, WorldWatch Institute, 202-452-1999. George Douglas, National Renewable Energy Lab, 303-275-4096. See Mar/Apr 1999 WorldWatch magazine or <http://www.worldwatch.org/alerts/981229.html>. ************************* NEXT TIPSHEET: APRIL 7, 1999 Journalists: Have a tip? Comments? Suggestions? Please contact Joe Davis, editor, at 202-974-2464 <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> or Beth Parke, associate editor, at 215-836-9970 <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>. TipSheet is posted on a delayed basis to searchable archive on SEJ's web site <http://www.sej.org/tipsheet/> and EHC's web site <http://www.nsc.org/nsc/ehc/journ/tipsheet.html>. ============================================== TipSheet is a biweekly publication of the Society of Environmental Journalists, the Radio and Television News Directors Foundation and the Environmental Health Center. If you are getting TipSheet by e-mail, you can stop by sending an e-mail message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the words unsubscribe sejtipsheet in the body of the message. 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