Videos
April 29th, 2009: Fox43 News
By Sarah Arbogast
"Area Gets an ‘F’ from the American Lung Association for Air Quality"
Excerpt: "A new report card is out and our area gets a failing grade. The report, by the American Lung Association, rates air quality. The Harrisburg area ranks 24th in the nation for short-term particle pollution. That pollution could lead to health problems, like asthma and bronchitis.
Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, and York counties all received a grade 'F'. Officials with the Department of Environmental Protection say heavy truck traffic is one reason the air quality is poor. 'The more trucks you have, the more truck emissions you have and this area is a big area for Interstate trucks,' said Teresa Candori, DEP spokesperson.
Paula Terry lives just a few miles away from Interstate 81. She says the results of the report card are not only surprising, but incredibly disturbing. 'It is bad for all of us: it is bad for our kids to grow up in and, quite truthfully, I don't really want to live in a place that might be damaging to my health,' said Paula Terry.
'Its pretty bad, I run track and I'm always thinking about running and what I'm breathing in,' said Shannon Greenbaum."
View the full Fox43 News video.
December 2nd, 2008: WGAL News8
"Cumberland County's Deteriorating Air Quality"
Added December 2nd, 2008
A Breath of Air: What Pollution is Doing to Our Children
This clip discusses the findings of the Children's Health Study by the Southern California.
Excerpt: "In healthy children, lungs grow as the body develops, but the greatest growth rate is during puberty. From ages 10-14, healthy children see their lungs grow by about 12% each year. By the late teens or early twenties, lungs have essentially stopped growing. The Children's Health Study shows that during the crucial puberty years, the lungs of a child exposed to high levels of pollution will grow 10% less each year. Over a period of four years, that is a significant deficit in lung function compared with kids growing up in low-pollution neighborhoods."
Added November 19th, 2008
Diesel Pollution, School Buses and Children's Health
Air pollution from diesel vehicles can affect everyone, especially children.
Added November 19th, 2008. Video produced by the PA Department of Environmental Protection.
Air Pollution: A Medical Perspective
In this video, Philip D. Carey, MD discusses the dangers of PM2.5 to the health of our nation. Dr. Carey gives particular focus to the residents of Cumberland County, PA. Cumberland County has been ranked the 24th most polluted county in the United States based on the level of PM2.5.
added November 14th, 2008
WGAL News8 Report
Reported by George Lettis and Brian Roche
Watch the clip to see Kevin Stewart of the American Lung Association, Jennifer McKenna of the Clean Air Board and local resident Mike Crochet discuss the impact of the region's declining air quality on health and new efforts to raise awareness of this serious issue.
Excerpts:
"It does have an impact on your life, definitely- when you can't breathe." -Mike Crochet, Boiling Springs resident
"For years now, the skies over Carlisle have not met federal clean air requirements. Now, an environmental group is leading a new effort to help residents keep an eye on what they're breathing in. The Clean Air Board announced a partnership with the Carlisle Regional Medical Center and the Sentinel Newspaper. They purchased an EPA-certified air monitor that measures the toxic particulate matter that comes from soot and diesel exhaust." - WGAL News8
added September 27th, 2008
Clean School Buses
Watch an informational video from a youtube user about the importance of reducing school bus idling to benefit the health of school-aged children. Please note: the Clean Air Board did not film this video or work with the video producer.
added July 2nd, 2007