EPA and NIH Announce the Winning Team in My Air, My Health Challenge

Winners developed a low cost, real time personal digital device that measures health effects of harmful air pollution

WASHINGTON — Today the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced the winner of the My Air, My Health Challenge. The Challenge called upon innovators nationwide to design a small, low-cost sensor that integrates air quality measurements with related health data, such as heart rate and breathing. Such innovations will help EPA and NIH as they continue their work together to better understand, in real time, the impacts of harmful air pollution on people’s health.

Judges for the EPA and NIH challenge selected the team of David Kuller, Gabrielle Savage Dockterman, and Dot Kelly from among finalist teams. The award will be presented today at Health Datapalooza IV in Washington, D.C.

The winning team will receive a $100,000 award for developing Conscious Clothing, a wearable, real-time breathing analysis tool that calculates the amount of polluted air a person inhales. Estimates of pollution exposure result from how deeply the person breathes and how much pollution is in the air. This data is transmitted to any Bluetooth-enabled device, such as a cellphone.

“This integration of technologies represents a growing area of interest for environmental and health scientists,” said Glenn Paulson, Ph.D., EPA science advisor. “We’re at the edge of a technology wave where anyone can use these sensors – these innovations will help EPA better understand air pollution’s impacts on people’s health. The potential impact on personal health care and local environmental quality is tremendous.”

“With people wearing these new data-collecting devices, researchers will be able to see and understand the relationships between varying levels of chemical exposures and individual health responses—in real time,” said Linda Birnbaum, Ph.D., director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, part of the NIH. “This is a big step forward toward treating, and more importantly, preventing disease and illness. This is an exciting time in research.”

These types of low-cost, portable, easy-to-use sensors have the potential to produce a more complete picture of air quality and individual health in communities across the country.

More information on the My Air, My Health Challenge: http://epa.gov/research/challenges
Also, see the EPA blog.
Cross-posted from: http://epa.gov/

Millbourne Borough, A Local Community Led By A Sierra Club Volunteer, Wins DVRPC's Air Quality Partnership Award

Millbourne Borough was honored to receive Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission's (DVRPC) Air Quality Partnership Award on Wednesday, May 15th, 2013. Speakers included Jeanette MacNeille, Millbourne Borough Council President, Bill McCune, President of Delaware County Memorial Hospital, Sue Edwards of the Sierra Club's Pennsylvania Clean Air Campaign, John McBlain, Commissioner to DVRPC and Sean Greene, Senior Planner at DVRPC.

Many actions led to this award. The Borough planted 160 trees last year with support from PENNVEST and Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, Natural Lands Trust and PECO, bought and upgraded its street light system resulting in estimated savings of $105,000 over 6 years and 20% reduction in energy use, and developed a transit-oriented plan for an 18-acre lot near the Millbourne Station on the Market-Frankford EL.

In the future, the Borough and Millbourne businesses will fly Air Alert flags at Millbourne Borough Hall, Wister Drive Park, and Millbourne Train Station to let neighbors know that they should take steps to avoid adding ozone and particulates on days when air pollution is bad.

The award was accepted by Mayor Tom Kramer and Borough Council President Jeanette MacNeille in honor of all the children of Millbourne, who represent our future and need clean air to breathe.

Sierra Club House Party/Meeting Sunday May 19th

To all my environmental friends,

The local Sierra Club group seeks creative ways to get out its message about the need for clean energy (efficiency and solar and wind power) to replace dirty fossil fuels. Recently we held a mock tug-of-war near Independence Mall between Fossil Fuel Fat Cats and supporters of Clean Green Energy. It was lots of fun while having a serious message for President Obama about the need for bold action to follow up on his words supporting clean energy.

You are invited to a Sierra Club House Party/Meeting.

Join like-minded people at my home and hear an update of the Sierra Club's 100-day plan. Find out what's planned ahead and how, if you'd like, you can help or be involved.

We will have refreshments (finger foods) wine, coffee and if anyone cares to bring beer. Our last event was fun and informative.

WHEN: Sunday, May 19th
TIME: 2- 5 pm
WHERE:

527 Wartman Street
Phila PA 19128

Call 215-508-2532 or Email <maria.dilullo@gmail.com> to RSVP or for directions
Maria DiLullo

Symbolic Tug O' War Between Fossil Fuel Fat Cats and the Glorious Greens: Come See the Spectacle

GUERRILLA THEATER TUG OF WAR!

DIRTY FOSSIL FUELS VS. CLEAN RENEWABLE ENERGY

Mon., April 8th, 5:00 – 7:00 PM [Rain Date Wed., April 10]

Independence Mall - 5th & Market Sts.

Philadelphia

Join Sierra Club activists and others as we stage a mock tug of war

“Filthy rich” titans of coal & oil, with tuxedos and money bags

vs.

The forces of green energy:

people in lab coats, scrubs, or green hard hats; people from island nations, the Arctic; animals threatened by sea level rise, etc.

(create your own costume!)

In the middle, President Obama, weighing Renewable Energy or settling for “All of the Above” (including fossil fuels)

The stark choice will be made visible—will you be there?

Afterwards, free refreshments for participants at Soho Pizza, 218 Market St.

RSVP: William Kramer at william.kramer@sierraclub.org 732-589-8024 or Sue Edwards at sueedwards79@gmail.com 610-543-2986 with your costume plans

---

This is one of our events to push President Obama to take action on climate change policies that he promised in his Inaugural Address. For more information, check out our previous blog post outlining our strategy to motivate Obama on climate policies.

---

Stay in touch with us on Twitter , Facebook or, of course, right here on Blogger.

---

Kids' Concert for Clean Air

A Kids' Concert for Clean Air on Feb. 2, 2013, Groundhogs Day, at the Lucien E. Blackwell West Philadelphia Regional Library, co-sponsored by Sierra Club and Mom's Clean Air Force. It was a free concert featuring Meg Russell of Meg's Melodies.

It was attended by about 35 or 40 people, two thirds of them children. It was a lively event, and the children got to move, play and hear songs about healthy eating and exercise, pretend to be a variety of things, make sounds like rain and thunder, and play with percussion instruments, a beach ball, ribbons, pompoms, and a parachute. They were greeted by a large green groundhog (aka William Kramer) as the concert got underway. Sierra Club activist Kevin Little spoke at the end about riding bikes, walking and using public transportation, turning off lights, and taking other steps to reduce climate change. Parents and older children took the opportunity to write short notes to Pres. Obama or Sen. Toomey about clean air and protecting our environment. Moms Clean Air Force had petitions to sign as well as stickers, notebooks and pads of paper for participants.

--Sue Edwards

---

---

Citizen's Hearing on the EPA's Carbon Standard June 19

On Thursday, May 24, 2012, concerned doctors, nurses, moms, and everyday citizens descended on Washington, DC and Chicago to testify at public hearings on the EPA's proposed carbon standards for new power plants. Medical professionals and public health officials agree that carbon pollution, left unchecked, will contribute to climate change and an increase in dangerous smog, which will trigger more episodes of respiratory distress in children and seniors. For the approximately 15% of Pennsylvania children that have suffered from asthma, this new standard, which will reduce pollution by 123 billion pounds annually, will also help reduce missed school days, missed work days, severe asthma attacks, and hospital visits. The EPA’s proposed carbon pollution standard limiting industrial carbon pollution from new power plants is critical to protect the health of our children and families.

Without traveling to DC or Chicago, you too can speak out in support of this critical public health safeguard. Join us at a Citizen's hearing on the rule here in Southeastern Pennsylvania. To date over 1 Million comments have been submitted in support of this rule! This event will be an opportunity for Pennsylvania residents to learn more about the new carbon standards, hear expert testimony, and have a chance to submit your own official comments to the EPA at the event.

Philadelphia Citizens' Hearing on EPA's Carbon Standard:

June 19, 2012

5:00 – 8:00 PM

Philadelphia City Council Chambers

Philadelphia City Hall (Market & Broad Sts.) 19107

Host: City Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds-Brown

Air Quality Is a Problem Facing Every Community

Dr. Albert A. Rizzo, a pulmonologist and critical care physician at Christiana Care Health System, recently wrote to the Delaware County Daily Times to express his concern about the air quality in the greater Philadelphia area. He has watched patients struggling to breathe across three decades of treating patients with lung disease. He makes the point that air pollution doesn't respect governmental boundaries. For example, the state of Delaware, which would otherwise have had a good grade for clean air, suffered from bad ozone pollution because it drifts in from other states. Polluted air is a shared problem.

When we think about clean air, more than anything else we need to think about the future of our children. It's hard to think when you can't breathe well. It's hard to study, or run or walk or go bicycling or play basketball or even just hang out with your friends. We all want every child to grow up healthy and achieve great things -- but you need to be able to study and think and run and play as a child to do that. We need cleaner air. I strongly endorse Dr. Rizzo's thoughts and comments and thank him for writing.

Jeanette MacNeille,
President, Millbourne Borough Council

 

Pennsylvania Streams Run with Mercury

Join Us at a Rally to Let Senator Casey Know You Support Mercury Regulations

Mercury Fouls Over 70 Streams and Lakes

The Pennsylvania Fish Commission lists 75 streams and lakes that have fish contaminated with mercury. It recommends against eating more than two meals a month of fish caught in those waters.

Pennsylvania Power Plants Major Source of Mercury

When PennEnvironment reviewed the EPA's data, it found that Pennsylvania power plants were the second largest contributors of mercury. Only Texas contributed more.

Mercury Jeopardizes Over 300,000 Infants Each Year

The mercury in the blood of a pregnant woman affects the fetus within her womb. The EPA has found that over 300,000 babies are born each year with an increased risk of disabilities due to mercury exposure.

Sierra Club Strongly Supports Mercury Rule

The Sierra Club has spoken out against the mercury spewing from coal fired power plants.

Rally with us in front of Senator Bob Casey's office at 20th and Market Streets in downtown Philadelphia to support the Mercury Rule proposed by the EPA. Supporters will gather at 8:00 AM on Wednesday, November 2, 2011.