By Patricia Hilliard • Executive Committee Member and Hudson County Group Chair
Ever smell something stinky while enjoying your backyard? Have you or your family been suffering from frequent bronchial or sinus problems? You may want to do some air-quality detective work. Fortunately, there are several resources to help you with your research. Once you have proof, you can act.
In 1986, the federal Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) became law, giving everyone the right to know what chemicals are floating around in the air of our communities.
In New Jersey, we also have the NJ Worker and Community Right-to-Know Act. This strengthens efforts to protect public health and the environment by ensuring that workers and community members have access to information about hazardous chemicals and the means to take appropriate actions to safeguard themselves.
Here is how to find out what’s blowing in the wind around you.
The first and easiest online tool to use is AirNow.gov. All you have to do is go to the link, enter your ZIP code, and you will see if the air in your community is good, bad, or dangerous. The information comes as a partnership between the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). A big colorful dial makes the information clear and easy to understand. However, details are limited, so if you want to know more try the links below.
What the EPA offers
The EPA has a Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) Program database that tracks industrial discharges of toxic chemicals by facilities in the United States. At the bottom of the title page, there’s a handy TRI Toxics Tracker. Enter your search information. You can just enter your ZIP code to learn about your immediate area.
Once the map downloads, it’s best to click on the full screen option and zoom in so that you can click easily on the dots that provide details on the pollution sites. Dark burgundy and wide circles indicate the worst pollution.
If you adjust the radius of your search, the tracker tool will show toxic releases even across state lines. The charts and maps are a generalization, but they give you some idea of where the worst industrial pollution is and which companies are releasing toxins.
Corporations are obligated to file reports on a regular basis. Depending on when companies report, the data can be a bit outdated. If a new company has just moved into the area, it may not be listed on the map. Check back later.
The NJ Worker and Community Right-to-Know Act
This is New Jersey’s effort on behalf of residents. Click the link to the NJ DEP site to find out about air quality in your neighborhood. Be sure to scroll down on the page to “What’s in Your Community?” It advises that you use the “layer list” to see what’s happening in overburdened communities, which is probably applicable if you live in any metropolitan area.
This tool even shows current local air direction and speed, if you want to know whether you are currently exposed to air from the pollution source.
Other information provided by the layering function includes major air quality sites that have pollution permits and locations that are being monitored by the DEP.
Clicking on the plus sign (+) brings the map closer and provides more detail on smaller sources of pollution.
The DEP is advised on clean air matters by the Clean Air Council which is made up of appointees of the governor taken from various other agencies such as Community Affairs and the Dept. of Commerce and Economic Development. Pollution from airports and other facilities is not included on the maps.
Make Use of These Sites and Tools!
Vote for politicians who favor protecting and funding government agencies that help provide information to citizens. Join Sierra Club in the fight for our freedom to breath clean air.
Information on Water Quality
If you missed my previous article in The Jersey Sierran on how to find out about toxins in your community drinking water and school drinking water, click on this link.
Resources
AirNow: https://www.airnow.gov
EPA TRI: https://shorturl.at/oMkyz
NJ Right to Know Act: https://dep.nj.gov/airquality/
Water Updates: https://shorturl.at/Sy4Sl
