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Building a Healthy Newport Environment Coalition BHNEC
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Business Naval Station, URI, Old Port Marine, Newport Hospital ... Radon test kits promoted. State, Realtors, City. School Air Quality. Condition/Issue ... – PowerPoint PPT presentation
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Title: Building a Healthy Newport Environment Coalition BHNEC
1
Building a Healthy Newport Environment
Coalition(BHNEC)
- January 2009
2
Project Goals
- Assess community perceptions of environmental
health risks. - Analyze data on environmental health risks.
- Prioritize environmental health risks.
- Seize opportunities for short term action.
- Establish plans for longer term actions.
3
Who Was Involved
- City Staff Planner, public works,
recreation/parks, - Local Housing Authority, Schools, Chamber of
Commerce, Energy Environment Commission,
Visiting Nurse Services - Advocates Clean Water Action, Ocean Access,
Save the Bay - Business Naval Station, URI, Old Port Marine,
Newport Hospital - State Dept. of Health (asthma, radon, etc.),
RIPTA, Dept. Environmental Management
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Perceived Data Driven Risks
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Outdoor Air Quality
- Health Risk Potential respiratory problems
(asthmatics, children non-whites most affected) - Hazardous Air Pollutants Newport County may
have higher levels than most counties data are
not conclusive. Potential sources diesel,
industrial emissions, heating oil, cars/trucks - Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) Carbon
Monoxide (CO) Newport is average. Sources
cars/trucks, boats - Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) Newport is average.
Sources Residential distillate oil combustion is
the single greatest contributor (65 homes use
oil)
6
Traffic Congestion Emissions
- Heavy traffic and congestion likely contributes
to poor air quality - Parking not sufficient 50,000 people 25,000
cars visit Newport on average summer day, but
only 3,000 off-street parking spaces - Well studied congestion reduction options for
downtown business area not yet implemented - Economic Impact Frustrated residents visitors
adversely effects tourism
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Outdoor Air Emissions Actions
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Beaches Swimming Water Quality
- Health Risk Unknown. The number of people who
become sick from bacterial contamination on the
beach is unknown because it is not reported.
Illnesses from exposure generally dont require
hospitalization. - Economic Impact - Eastons Beach was closed 7
days in 2008 affecting 2,900 people. - The total number of beach closure days decreased
over the past few years, but is variable with the
weather due to storm water runoff. - Beaches are not monitored in the off-season by
the city or state. - The warning system used to indicate that a beach
is contaminated may be inadequate.
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Beaches Swimming Water Quality Actions
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Residential Air Quality
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Potential Housing Actions
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School Air Quality
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Potential School Actions
- Request RI Dept of Health to evaluate schools for
asthma triggers - Incorporate Draw a Breath asthma education
- Renovate schools to improve ventilation and
heating systems - Support state funding for school bus retrofits
- Enforce anti idling on school grounds
- Incorporate green cleaning, lawn care and
maintenance (e.g., painting) - Implement no spray pest control policy promote
low toxicity alternatives - Curriculum to emphasize green health school
programs
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Short Term Actions
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Longer Term Actions
- Air
- Better document air pollution sources and
identify strategies to address local sources - Define congestion reduction plan and seek funding
- Swimming Water Quality
- Undertake enhanced beach and swimming water
quality monitoring and contaminant reduction - Promote radon testing and moisture assessment in
homes - Retrofit school buses
16
For More Information
- Contact
- Diane Vendetti
- Southern RI Area Health Education Center
- 401-841-0007
- dcvendetti_at_southernriahec.org
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