CLEAN AIR NEWSLINE

December 2006 Edition

In this issue:

"Clean Air Rangers" recognized for clean-air efforts
Clean-burning firelogs for a cleaner home hearth
Gas fireplaces at a discount (and they work in a power outage)
Ad campaign raises awareness about health effects of outdoor burning
Get a FREE poster
Don’t burn that storm debris!
How was October’s air?

Agency and maritime partners recognized as "Clean Air Rangers"

Participants of the Puget Sound Maritime Air Forum, including the Clean Air Agency, were recognized by the American Lung Association of Washington as "Clean Air Rangers" and came away from their quarterly meeting with kudos and hard hats, and a pledge to continue working together for cleaner air.

As advocates for clean, healthy air, the American Lung Association of Washington likens its work to that of forest rangers that oversee the health of a forest or range. As "Clean Air Rangers" they raise needed funds for research, educating the public about clean air and as advocates with organizations like the Maritime Air Forum to advance clean air initiatives.

Diesel engines used in and around our region’s ports – powering ships, tugs, trains, trucks, supporting ground equipment, etc. – are believed to be significant generators of fine particle and toxic emissions, which are harmful to our health. To maintain healthy air quality and also allow for healthy growth in our maritime trade, the Puget Sound Maritime Air Forum, a voluntary collaboration of public and private partners, seeks to reduce diesel emissions from these activities.

Pollution-reducing efforts already undertaken by forum partners have included switching marine vessels and equipment to cleaner fuels such as low sulfur and ultra-low sulfur diesel, biodiesel and compressed natural gas; retrofitting cruise ships to operate on electric shore power rather than diesel engine power while docked for hours during their port of call; and retrofitting dockside and airport equipment with emission-reduction technology.

Because of the Maritime Air Forum's important work in this area, the American Lung Association of Washington has extended Clean Air Ranger recognition to forum partners. With this honor, forum participants received white hard hats emblazoned with the Clean Air Ranger seal – and accepted the pledge to continue cooperatively implementing pollution-reducing projects.

For learn more about port and marine-related efforts to reduce diesel emissions, including the maritime forum, visit www.pscleanair.org/programs/dieselsolutions/marine.aspx .

‘Tis the season to gather friends and family around the hearth – think clean!

Manufactured logs, such as Duraflame and Java Logs, are a clean-burning option for your holiday fires if you don’t have a natural gas or propane stove or fireplace. These logs are made of compressed sawdust, and they burn cleaner than cut firewood and longer for less hassle.

The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency is partnering with Duraflame on radio ads to promote these clean-burning logs in late December and again just before the Super Bowl, another hearth-based “holiday.”

If you do use cut firewood, make sure it is dry, and use small pieces for a hot, clean burn (DON’T use that fallen storm debris that is too green to burn). Check your chimney for visible smoke, which indicates incomplete combustion and fuel – and money – wasted.

It is also important to pay attention to air quality, since we often experience stagnant weather during the winter months, which can lead to a burn ban. If we call a burn ban, no fires are allowed in open fireplaces or uncertified wood stoves, and all outdoor burning is prohibited.

You can sign up to notified by e-mail for burn bans and other air quality calls to action at www.pscleanair.org/news/agencynews.aspx . If you receive this newsletter directly, you are already signed up to receive e-mail notification of air quality alerts. You can also check burn ban status on our Web site, www.pscleanair.org, or our burn ban hotline at 1-800-595-4341.

Upgrade to a cozy natural gas fireplace, get a rebate

Interested in clean heat at a discount AND heat that works during a power outage?

Puget Sound Energy customers can save up to $500 instantly on a natural gas fireplace through PSE’s Contractor Referral Service. The “Instant Heat, Instant Rebate” rebate is available through January 31, 2007.

Benefits of a natural gas fireplace include:

Clean, soot-free and easy to use
Approved for use during burn bas
Ambience, heat and comfort that works even during power outages

For product details and special offer information, visit PSE’s Web site at www.contractorreferralservice.com/crs/CRS_Promo8.html . For more information about natural gas fireplaces and other clean-heating choices, visit www.pscleanair.org/actions/woodstoves/gas.aspx .

Promoting the right to breathe clean air – agency participating in statewide media campaign

This winter the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency has taken its clean air messages to the airwaves.

In partnership with other air-quality agencies across the state, we recently launched a media campaign to raise awareness about the health effects of outdoor burning – and encourage the use of alternatives instead.

Through February, a 30-second television ad is running on cable channels throughout our region, complemented by a print ad targeted to areas where outdoor burning tends to occur more frequently. The ads communicate the toxic nature of smoke from outdoor fires, emphasizing in particular the impact on children and teens. Viewers are directed to AirwatchNorthwest.org , the portal for clean air agencies in our region, for more information.

Additionally, copies of a FREE, "My parents are so protective" poster, sized 11” x 17,” are available for anyone interested, and we would welcome your assistance in getting them into your communities. To request copies, please send an e-mail to communications@pscleanair.org , providing your name, organization (if any), mailing address and the quantity desired. Thank you!

To view the ad and supporting poster, visit:
www.airwatchnorthwest.org/outdoorburning.htm

Dealing with debris: Many cities, counties offering free or discounted disposal options

The recent windstorms downed trees and flung branches, leaving many Puget Sound area residents with a heap of debris. What to do with the mess?

Burning it all may seem like an efficient solution – but in fact state law prohibits outdoor fires in urbanized areas and in other areas burning is subject to additional local restrictions. Plus, with its high levels of particulate matter and toxic carcinogens, smoke from burning fallen limbs and yard waste negatively impacts air quality – and your health. Make the healthy – and legal – choice for your family and neighbors instead, and consider alternate disposal options.

Many cities, counties, and private companies are right now offering free or discounted drop-off, pick-up or other services to help residents recover from the storm. Check their Web sites to see what is available to you or visit www.pscleanair.org/news/newsroom/releases/2006/12_19_debris.aspx where we’ve compiled as many disposal options we are aware of in our four-county area.

Monthly air quality data summary: October*

October ushered in longer, cooler nights with accompanying temperature inversions. As such, pollution levels rose, with October having the fewest days in the “Good” category than any of the last eight months. For the month, there were only 15 days with air quality categorized as “Good,” 15 days in the “Moderate” category, and one in the “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” category.

Precipitation (SeaTac Airport) totaled 1.55 inches, less than half the normal rainfall for the month. The airport average temperature for the month was 52.3 degrees – 0.4 degrees below normal and the first month out of the last seven with the average monthly temperature being below normal.

For data summaries of air quality monitored throughout our four-county region, click to www.pscleanair.org/airq/aqsumm/06-10.aspx .

* Because of the time it takes to review data for quality assurance and process data for reports, our air quality discussions in each “Newsline” edition will be two months previous. Thus, our report for this edition is for October 2006.

About the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency

The mission of the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency is to ensure that people in King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish counties have clean, healthy air to breathe. Our job is to provide air quality management services on behalf of cities and counties for their citizens. We do this by adopting and enforcing air quality regulations, sponsoring voluntary initiatives to improve air quality, and educating people and businesses about clean-air choices. To learn more about our work, visit us at www.pscleanair.org.

About the Clean Air Newsline

Clean Air Newsline is a monthly electronic newsletter to provide air quality information to the residents of King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish counties. Subscribers receive the latest on air quality news, trends and projects that affect our local communities and the air we breathe. Feel free to pass the information along to others.

We also use the Newsline as needed to send timely and important messages about burn bans, Smog Watches and early calls to action when air quality deteriorates.

If you would like to subscribe, you can do so at www.pscleanair.org/news/email_list.shtml. Be sure to select Clean Air Newsline to be added to the e-mailing list.