Healthy Air, Healthy Us

WI Focus on Energy has just announced a new program in which they will come to your house to pick up working, older refrigerators and freezers for recycling.  You will receive $30 for each appliance (limit 2 per customer per year).  This is a fantastic opportunity to get rid of appliances that are costing you two- or three-times more in electricity than newer models.  For more information visit WI Focus on Energy.

In 1970 Gaylord Nelson, a U.S. senator from Wisconsin, proposed a spring day for Americans to speak out about conserving natural resources. That first Earth Day rallied millions of citizens and spurred Congress to create significant laws for clean air, clean water, and energy conservation. Nelson earned natural resources a lasting place in national politics.

As this year’s Earth Day (Sunday, April 22) approaches, the Fond du Lac County UW-Extension offers an update on local air quality and why it still matters.

According to the American Lung Association, 14% of us have lung diseases like asthma, emphysema, & chronic bronchitis. These people, in addition to active adults, children and senior citizens, are highly susceptible to air pollution.

 Air pollution affects the health of people and the economy. The Wisconsin Asthma Coalition reports that asthma costs the state $60 million a year in hospital and emergency room visits, not to mention a loss of productivity at school and work. Reducing air pollution – inside and out – improves health outcomes and the economic costs of preventable diseases.

 81% of us drive alone to work. Unfortunately, 80% of Fond du Lac County’s ground level ozone, or “smog,” comes from personal miles traveled in gasoline-powered vehicles. Ozone is a major irritant to lungs and can negatively impact anyone who breathes it at levels routinely found in this area.

 21% of us work in manufacturing. As the EPA tightens air quality standards, our county could face stricter permitting, which can negatively impact job growth and economic development.

Lastly, the Wisconsin Office of Energy Independence finds 81% of Wisconsin’s energy comes from burning petroleum, coal, and natural gas. These fuels all create more air pollution when burned.

In response to these data, Fond du Lac County businesses and municipalities are taking significant steps to conserve energy and are improving air quality at the same time. Mid-States Aluminum Corporation has saved $86,000 per year on energy costs thanks to Lean Six Sigma techniques and a volunteer Energy Team. At Mercury Marine, a new primer/paint formula in the assembly plant has reduced hazardous air pollutants by 50 percent since 2008.

How can individuals make a difference in air quality? Many local residents combine their errands to reduce car emissions. Some bike, walk or carpool. Even one or two fewer trips a month will improve the air we breathe.

Now in its 100^th year of educating residents, Fond du Lac County UW-Extension provides information on clean air at www.FDLHealthyAir.com.

The State Energy Office compiles a list of funding opportunities for clean energy including energy efficiency, solar, wind, biomass, biogas, ground source heat pumps and clean fuels that you might want to peruse on a regular basis. Some of these offerings are local to particular utility districts or communities and some are statewide. The list includes programs for residential, commercial and industrial sectors.

 Find this month’s incentives at the link below:

OPPORTUNITIES/INCENTIVES CLEAN ENERGY AND ENERGY INDEPENDENCE FUNDING

To purchase a radon test kit, contact:

• Short-term kits (48 hours) cost $8.
• Long-term kits (90 days – 1 year) cost $20.

Available this spring from clerks in Campbellsport, Eden, Taycheedah, and Ripon (Short-term kit only):

The Campbellsport Village Clerk is at 177 E. Main Street.

In Eden, phone the Town Clerk at

(920) 539-0405 to arrange for a test kit.

Test kits are also available at the Taycheedah Town Hall, W4295 Kiekhaefer Parkway.

The City of Ripon has kits at 100 Jackson Street.

Download this printable flyer with coupon (English, PDF, 876 KB).

Descarga un folleto imprimible con cupon (Español, PDF, 1067 KB)

Instructions are included with the test kit. Place it in the lowest level of the house that you use. When the testing period is over, mail the kit to the lab, and the lab mails back your results in a few weeks. Contact Gloria Smedema at the Fond du Lac County Health Department (gloria.smedema@fdlco.wi.gov or 920/929-3085) if you have questions about your results.

If you are planning to buy or sell a house, it is highly recommended that you use a certified radon measurement professional.

With a result of 4 pC/L or higher, the EPA recommends mitigating your home using a certified radon mitigation contractor. This can be done after a home is built or during construction. People age 62 and older with very low incomes living outside the City of Fond du Lac may apply to receive a loan or grant from the USDA to finance a radon mitigation project in their home.

January is the perfect time to take a radon measurement in your home. Radon is a naturally-occurring radioactive gas and the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. All homes should be checked individually for radon, although certain regions tend to have higher readings than others. Get more information on Testing for Radon in Fond du Lac County. The table below shows measurement averages by zip code region. A measurement over 4pCi/L is considered high by the EPA.

This workshop series will teach local government officials about renewable energy planning with an emphasis on wastewater and solid waste bioenergy, public/private development options, project management, and feasibility.

One of these workshops will be held at UW-Fond du Lac on Tuesday, December 13 from 10 am – 3 pm in UC 113/114 (Large Group Instruction Room).  The cost is only $30 which includes lunch.

View the flyer and press release for registration details.

“Fond du Lac County Action for Air Quality” is complete.  This publication describes all of the ways that air quality matters locally and includes notes about actions manufacturers and groups like the Asthma Coalition are taking to improve it.  If you would like hard copies of this publication, contact our office about how many you need and by when.

Here is DNR’s statement about the forest fire smoke covering Eastern WI today. There is no official action alert issued, but everyone should reduce their exposure to outside air today if possible.

This morning we are smelling smoke from the Pagami Creek Forest Fire in Minnesota. DNR is monitoring air quality levels every hour around the state and will be sending out an alert (which will also be posted here) if fine particle levels exceed the health standard.

Residents, especially seniors, children, and anyone with lung or heart conditions such as asthma should take care to limit exposure. The general rule about smoke, whether from campfires, burn barrels, or outdoor wood boilers is the less of it you breath in, the better off your body is.

More about the health effects of wood smoke (EPA)

Ideas on how to minimize smoke indoors (EPA). This is not a good day to vacuum or leave the windows open.

A change to a stricter ozone standard has been delayed by the Obama Administration and when it comes in 2013 will likely not be as strict as the EPA recommended last year. Read the article from Friday’s Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.