Trending...
- Conexwest Delivers Custom Shipping Container MRI Lab, Saving California Hospital an Estimated $9 Million in Renovation Costs
- Atlanta Magazine Names Dr. Rashad Richey One of Atlanta's Most Influential Leaders in 2026 as the FIFA World Cup Approaches
- Sleep Basil Unveils Revamped Natural Latex Mattress Collection Page for Cooler, Cleaner, Better-Aligned Sleep
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C., Aug. 4, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League released a report which shows that hazardous air quality during the Weaver Fertilizer Plant fire was downplayed.
The report Winston-Salem Weaver Fertilizer Plant Fire - Analysis of Publicly Disseminated Air Quality Information During Facility Fire Incident highlights instances when local officials told the public that the air quality was okay and pollutants were just "irritants" when, in fact, levels of Particulate Matter 2.5 were in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's hazardous and very unhealthy categories.
It has been six months since the Weaver fertilizer plant fire which began on the evening of January 31. BREDL has recently received EPA air quality data through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) which show that hazardous air quality conditions were downplayed during this industrial incident. We are still waiting for information from a March 22, 2022 open records request with the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality.
More on ncarol.com
The report compares official statements to the then current air quality data, specifically PM 2.5. This air quality data was available to the fire command center in real time but was not available to the general public.
Once EPA set up temporary air monitors around the perimeter of the fire, 29 hours into the incident, the PM 2.5 readings were well into the hazardous category. These air monitors became operational around midnight on Wednesday, February 2.
Five hours later during a press conference officials stated that "all levels have been in the acceptable range". While, in fact, PM 2.5 concentrations were as high as 9200 micrograms per cubic meter (ug/m3) at the temporary air monitor located at the Wake Forest University police station. EPA community action hazardous conditions start at a concentration of 500 ug/m3.
Mark Barker, author of the BREDL Report, said, "On the afternoon of February 2 a Wake Forest University alert stated that the EPA indicated air quality readings on and near campus posed no threat to individual health and was safe to breathe. However, the on campus EPA air quality data indicated hazardous and very unhealthy PM 2.5 levels."
More on ncarol.com
PM 2.5 has long been associated with significant health effects especially impacting respiratory and heart conditions.
The community within a one-mile radius of the Weaver facility has a high prevalence of asthma and heart disease according to EPA's EJScreen tool.
Barker said, "Our analysis leads us to make several recommendations for local, state and federal officials during industrial incidents: be transparent in reporting air quality and associated health impacts, make air quality data available to the public, include an air quality expert in incident press briefings and statements, utilize EJScreen to identify vulnerable communities, and incorporate temporary air monitors into existing EPA current air quality maps."
The BREDL report is available online at www.bredl.org/reports.htm.
Contact: Mark Barker
(540) 342-5580 (landline)
(540) 525-5241 (mobile)
[email protected]
SOURCE Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League Inc
The report Winston-Salem Weaver Fertilizer Plant Fire - Analysis of Publicly Disseminated Air Quality Information During Facility Fire Incident highlights instances when local officials told the public that the air quality was okay and pollutants were just "irritants" when, in fact, levels of Particulate Matter 2.5 were in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's hazardous and very unhealthy categories.
It has been six months since the Weaver fertilizer plant fire which began on the evening of January 31. BREDL has recently received EPA air quality data through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) which show that hazardous air quality conditions were downplayed during this industrial incident. We are still waiting for information from a March 22, 2022 open records request with the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality.
More on ncarol.com
- Diversified Roofing Solutions Strengthens Industry Leadership With Expanded Roofing Services Across South Florida
- ZRCalc™ Cinema Card Calculator Now Available for Nikon ZR Shooters
- Mountaineer Heating & Cooling Announces Expanded HVAC Services for High Country Homes and Businesses
- Revolutionary Data Solution Transforms Health Insurance Underwriting Accuracy
- $36 Million LOI to Acquire High Value Assets from Vivakor Inc in Oklahoma's STACK Play — Building Cash Flow and Scalable Power Infrastructure; $OLOX
The report compares official statements to the then current air quality data, specifically PM 2.5. This air quality data was available to the fire command center in real time but was not available to the general public.
Once EPA set up temporary air monitors around the perimeter of the fire, 29 hours into the incident, the PM 2.5 readings were well into the hazardous category. These air monitors became operational around midnight on Wednesday, February 2.
Five hours later during a press conference officials stated that "all levels have been in the acceptable range". While, in fact, PM 2.5 concentrations were as high as 9200 micrograms per cubic meter (ug/m3) at the temporary air monitor located at the Wake Forest University police station. EPA community action hazardous conditions start at a concentration of 500 ug/m3.
Mark Barker, author of the BREDL Report, said, "On the afternoon of February 2 a Wake Forest University alert stated that the EPA indicated air quality readings on and near campus posed no threat to individual health and was safe to breathe. However, the on campus EPA air quality data indicated hazardous and very unhealthy PM 2.5 levels."
More on ncarol.com
- Kobie Wins for AI Innovations in the 2026 Stevie® Awards for Sales & Customer Service
- Berman | Sobin | Gross LLP Celebrates 35 Years of Advocating for Maryland's Injured Workers and Families
- Art of Whiskey Hosts 3rd Annual San Francisco Tasting Experience During Super Bowl Week
- PADT Earns Prestigious 2025 Americas Customer Loyalty Award from Ansys, Part of Synopsys
- Florida Keys Visitors Can Save 15 Percent With KeysCaribbean's Advanced Booking Discount
PM 2.5 has long been associated with significant health effects especially impacting respiratory and heart conditions.
The community within a one-mile radius of the Weaver facility has a high prevalence of asthma and heart disease according to EPA's EJScreen tool.
Barker said, "Our analysis leads us to make several recommendations for local, state and federal officials during industrial incidents: be transparent in reporting air quality and associated health impacts, make air quality data available to the public, include an air quality expert in incident press briefings and statements, utilize EJScreen to identify vulnerable communities, and incorporate temporary air monitors into existing EPA current air quality maps."
The BREDL report is available online at www.bredl.org/reports.htm.
Contact: Mark Barker
(540) 342-5580 (landline)
(540) 525-5241 (mobile)
[email protected]
SOURCE Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League Inc
Filed Under: Business
0 Comments
Latest on ncarol.com
- Ski Johnson Inks Strategic Deals with Three Major Food Chain Brands
- NIL Club Advances Agent-Free NIL Model as Oversight Intensifies Across College Athletics
- Atlanta Magazine Names Dr. Rashad Richey One of Atlanta's Most Influential Leaders in 2026 as the FIFA World Cup Approaches
- Apostle Margelee Hylton Announces the Release of Third Day Prayer
- Slotozilla Reports Strong Q4 Growth and Sigma Rome Success
- "Lights Off" and Laughs On: Joseph Neibich Twists Horror Tropes in Hilariously Demonic Fashion
- Families Gain Clarity: Postmortem Pathology Expands Private Autopsy Services in St. Louis
- Beethoven: Music of Revolution and Triumph - Eroica
- Amy Turner Receives 2025 ENPY Partnership Builder Award from The Community Foundation
- The "Human Bridge": Why Leading with Tools is Failing Our Children
- Hubble Tension Solved? Study finds evidence of an 'Invisible Bias' in How We Measure the Universe
- Boonuspart.ee Acquires Kasiino-boonus.ee to Strengthen Its Position in the Estonian iGaming Market
- Vines of Napa Launches Partnership Program to Bolster Local Tourism and Economic Growth
- Finland's €1.3 Billion Digital Gambling Market Faces Regulatory Tug-of-War as Player Protection Debate Intensifies
- Angels Of Dirt Premieres on Youtube, Announces Paige Keck Helmet Sponsorship for 2026 Season
- Still Using Ice? FrostSkin Reinvents Hydration
- Patron Saints Of Music Names Allie Moskovits Head Of Sync & Business Development
- Dave Aronberg Named 2026 John C. Randolph Award Recipient by Palm Beach Fellowship of Christians & Jews
- General Relativity Challenged by New Tension Discovered in Dark Siren Cosmology
- Unseasonable Warmth Triggers Early Pest Season Along I-5 Corridor