Chasing Clean Air

Ask Donna: So Where Are Our Rights To Breathe Clean Air?

Donna Barnett — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 09:51:37 -0800

Hi Donna,

I am writing for several folks who are looking to breath free. We live in Candler NC, 28715. We have a couple who live in our little valley and they burn all the time. They have burned three times this week since Monday and three times last week. They would have burned more, but it rained. The people I am writing for are older people who live in a mobile home park, who have all kinds of health problems. They range from COPD, breathing problems to cancer survivors. Just like me they want to breath free. We have not been able to get any of the local agencies to help us. We have been told they are within their rights. So where are our rights?

That is what we want to know. We have all tired to talk to these people about burning less, but they will not hear of it. They could move the burning onto the main part of their land which is near their home, but they will not do that either. They don't want smoke in their home, but it is okay for us. Our central heating and cooling units bring in the smoke when we have our windows closed. When it is nice, like it had been, we like to open our windows and we get a home full of smoke from them. They have threaten us to stop calling on them and they have told one lady that she must have done something to deserve not being able to breath. They feel they have all the rights. I wonder if you can tell us where to go to get help. I am going to look on the internet under rights and see what I can find. We are sick of these people and all the abuse we have to take from them. We should have rights too.

Thank you for listening.

Vicki Myers

Dear Vicki,

You ask an excellent question: Why do wood-burning neighbors have the right to pollute your air but you have no rights to breathe clean air?

I spoke to Kevin Lance, the burning inspector for West North Carolina Regional Air Quality Agency and Tom Mather, the public information officer at North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

The state says neighbors can burn leaves and yard brush on burn days, and it's against the law to burn man-made products. BUT if burning becomes a nuisance, you can get a note from your doctor and the state air quality agency can levy a fine if those who burn and cause a nuisance refuse to stop. If after a warning, the neighbors still don't comply they can be fined up to thousands of dollars.

Unfortunately, from what I understand, your district is under the jurisdiction of West N. Carolina Regional Air Quality Agency and Kevin Lance. I say "unfortunately" because when I spoke to Kevin he said that a "nuisance" is hard to enforce. He said he's personally been out to your area one time and he "never deemed it as a nuisance."

Now we all know you can't judge air quality from one visit or one hour.

Air quality changes as quickly as the wind blows but it doesn't mean your location wasn't affected.

If many people are complaining of fine particulates and corresponding health problems, I trust there is a problem that must be addressed.

If it were me, I'd take photos of the smoke, get a note from my doctor, and visit Kevin so he can put a personal face and story to the calls and letters he's received thus far.

That said, I'm sorry you and your neighbors suffer physically, emotionally, and spiritually from insensitive neighbors.

The ash of fine particulates showering into your homes, seems symptomatic of a darker cultural problem of self-centered humans unwilling to exercise compassion.

How maddening to use your precious energy, "fighting" insensitivity, which, seems prevalent in our It's-All-About-Me culture--just in order to breathe.

I came up with a few ways you might deal with your neighbors' smoke, which you may have already explored:

1. Speak up (in person with authorities), and have others speak up for you. I wonder if these burning neighbors go to Church or have some sort of spiritual leaning, in which case, if you went to their pastor or ? to suggest teaching compassion and compromise.

2. Buy air purifiers. I realize this is an expense and it may not do the trick if it's a lot of smoke but another reader here, bought two air purifiers to deal with her thoughtless neighbors' wood-burning and she found some relief.

3. Move and or relocate on burn days. I realize this may not be possible, and it doesn't guarantee that you move to an area with a thoughtless new neighbor. If you do move, keep in mind particulates can get stuck in a Valley and winds tend to blow east.

4. Work with your clean air agency to create new laws to allow wood-burning only at certain times so that you can be forewarned. Though it sounds like you've explored this option to no avail.

Here are three organizations that may also have ideas for you to explore, it includes a link to an Oregon clean air agency that apparently deals effectively with wood smoke.

Burning Issues

Canary Coalition

Lane Regional Air Quality AQMD

I'm sorry I can't wave a magic wand and transform your neighbors into compassionate souls eager to find a way to ease your suffering by finding a solution to their burning needs, which doesn't negatively impact your lungs.

If I had such a wand, this would be a loving, peaceful world powered by the sun with clean air for all.

For whatever comfort it may be, I have listened to you, heard you, and you're not alone.

I wish you better breathing soon.

Best wishes,

Donna

If you enjoyed this Ask Donna column, you may enjoy reading my response to a woman suffering from her neighbor's sage and incense burning by clicking here. And to subscribe to the Chasing Clean Air feed and never miss a clean air adventure or Ask Donna column, click here.

From Fear To Exhilaration!

Donna Barnett — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:06:45 -0800

Oprah had a show today on getting out of your box. Boy, oh, boy! Have I done that. On high cliff roads. High wires. High hopes. I plan to do more but not before I regroup and feed spiritually on my Los Angeles life; still my home. And lately, quite beautiful with clear skies and mild temps.

Oprah's show got me thinking about where I've been, and where I may go next.

As you may know, a couple of years ago, tired of complaining about Los Angeles smog and traffic, I decided to seek clean air, beauty, and a sustainable life. I hit the road and started this clean air blog, hoping people would share areas to breathe and live well, and I'd do the same.

At the time, I had no idea this would bring up phobia issues.

And courage. :-)

Where I once was afraid to drive solo from L.A. to San Francisco, as many of you also know, I just returned from a round-trip solo drive from Los Angeles to Canada where I reviewed clean air areas and participated in "crazy" adventures. (But I figured what's crazier than breathing gray air?)

As it turned out, I've learned that clean air occurs mostly in remote areas where locals come up with crazy ideas for tourists.

Ziplining, grizzly bear watching, and kayaking near killer whales require signing liability forms. Just in case of accident or death.

With nothing to lose, except my life, I said "yes!" to anything offered.

As a result, I'm more confident and have enjoyed thrilling experiences.

I'm considering kayaking near Manitoba, Canada next summer amongst Beluga Whales. Yes, I'm scared.

If you have thrilling, beautiful experiences to suggest for 2010, please do.

To put my adventures in perspective, I am the owner of books Feel The Fear and Do It Anyway, and The Panic Attack, Phobias and Anxiety Solutions Handbook. I'm no natural at adventure.

But I found that pushing myself, made me more confident.

I also take thyroid medication, and when I'm under or over-medicated it can cause anxiety. My history includes running out of shopping malls and almost passing up graduate school because I got anxiety just thinking about being trapped in a classroom. I still have anxieties, including driving on high cliff roads, which came up on my recent drive from Victoria, B.C. to Los Angeles.

Nonetheless, I mostly enjoy overcoming fears and turning them into power. I look forward to more adventures in clean air locations, and becoming a better, BOLDER, more interesting human BEing! DOing! LIVing!

Ahhhh!!

Suggestions welcomed.

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Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act

Donna Barnett — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:28:16 -0800

According to Organizing for America, Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW) will start making final decisions about what to include in its energy and climate legislation, the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act.

But oil companies and special interests are pushing hard to weaken the EPW bill. Some Republicans who oppose energy legislation are even threatening to boycott the proceedings to block all progress on the bill.

It's essential that we demonstrate that voters across the country strongly support bold action to build America's new energy future.

California Senator Barbara Boxer has a seat on the committee. Please call your senator today and tell them you support clean energy and climate legislation:

Sen. Barbara Boxer

Calling your senator will only take a few moments:

Dial the number above, then tell the staffer who answers where you live.
Tell them you support legislation that would create a clean energy economy, reduce emissions that endanger our planet, and make us safer by breaking our dependence on foreign oil.
Let them know that if your senator works hard to pass a strong energy bill out of committee, they'll have your thanks.

The Windy Blues Needs Obama's Smart Grid Plan

Donna Barnett — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 08:54:24 -0800

I'm recovering from the Canada to Los Angeles roundtrip drive solo, and busy catching-up. While waiting for my car tune-up, I met Sr. Project Engineer Steve Gibbs, of Clipper wind turbine company, who told me he has around 700 men out of work or under-working because few companies are erecting wind turbines.

He said his company is one of the biggest out there. If that's true in the emerging age of clean energy, well, I wonder about our green, clean environmental talk.

What does our clean energy talk get us?

Yesterday I shared a meal and movie with Dave Freeman, the acting head of LADWP (Los Angeles Department of Water & Power), who explained the biggest obstacle toward renewable energy here is money. In this lousy economy, no one wants the increased fees rate payers would have to pay in order to buy and create distribution of renewable energy sources.

Distribution of solar and wind is a huge expense.

The fellow from the wind company echoed the distribution blues. Sure, there's plenty of wind in North Dakota, he said, but how do we harness the wind and distribute it through the United States. Obama, are you listening?

I see your White House web site on clean energy investment but I don't see how Los Angeles, one of the most polluted cities in America contributing to climate change and air pollution using a lot of coal to light our world, is benefiting with renewable energy infrastructure.

Regarding your speech about Smart Grid for the country where does L.A. fit in?

Speaking of wind in North Dakota, based on my recent Canada to Los Angeles drive, I can attest to several howling wind spots. I'm not sure how well turbines may be secured but I feel qualified to be a wind scout. I own hats with straps to protect against wind and cold. A must when driving to Canada! :-)

The movie last night was Michael Moore's Capitalism: A Love Story. We loved it, highly recommend.

To read about Denmark and how they created a society based on sustainable wind energy, click here.

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If It's Not Real, Don't Do It, Love!

Donna Barnett — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 20:09:32 -0700

To be loved for who you are, and what you have to offer naturally must be wonderful.

I'm naturally well-endowed, and I'm not sure what that gets besides jealousy when you're young, eyes upon you at any age whether tenderness is attached or not, and a propensity to hunch over so people don't stare. That's what I thought this evening at Baja Bud's with my vino and taco waiting for friend, as I stared at a blonde with big hoop earrings and big... who sported high heels, painted toe nails, and, at around 55 years old, maintained the look of a one-time-beauty.

Surely, a beauty is the most over-rated status symbol in our society, I thought. Or others. Look what it got Cleopatra. Or how about Juliet. To be born plain and ignored. Think of the possibilities. What you may become without interference. The possibilities are endless like a stream of boring wannabe lovers...

So why bother when you can develop unique skills and talents instead. And if someone comes along to say I love you, who actually does beyond the twinkle in your eye and his elevating hormones, and your curves whatever they may or may not be, then consider a pause in the river of your life. Is what I thought while looking at Miss 55 Something still sporting vestiges of her youth in a somewhat contrived stance that may have brought her pleasure and definitely brought you this post.

If it's not real, don't do it, love! are words that came to me this evening. Words had I listened when I was younger, I wondered where I'd be.

Bunker Fuel Spilled Into San Francisco Bay Today

Donna Barnett — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 09:55:43 -0700

Underscoring one more reason we need clean fuels and energy. Oh my. To read more, click here.

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Ask Donna: Where Do I Find Cleaner Air In California?

Donna Barnett — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:26:32 -0700

Donna,

Every morning I am searching for websites that will answer my questions:

Where do I find clean air in Marin County; in the Bay Area, in California... to live, to vacation? Which politicians or organizations are truly committed to clean air? Why is there a lack of media attention to clean air? Why is the general public complacent about clean air?

Starting winter 2007 the wood smoke pollution in Novato became intolerable for me to breathe (I have no lung problems) and I lobbied the Bay Area Air Quality Management to limit and preferably eliminate fireplace wood burning. Regulation 6 passed in July which prohibits wood burning on spare the air days and excessive chimney smoke year round.

Neighbors are still burning, even after receiving information about the health consequences of their wood smoke, my suggestions to the Bay Area Air Quality Management District on the need to mail a copy of the regulation to each homeowner have been ignored, the media lacks interest, and the politicians are no help.

I am looking for a group of people who are committed to the cause. Any suggestions?

Hope you write your book soon. Your title is perfect. That is exactly what I have been doing this past year: "Chasing Clean Air".

Thank you,

Norma

Dear Norma,

For Marin, Point Reyes may be the cleanest but it's fairly remote, expensive, and I understand mold is an issue for many residents living in West Marin.

Point Reyes is a California state park on the beach and it's beautiful. You'd need to check how close neighbors are, and if they burn wood with fine particulates blowing in the wind. Winds tend to blow east.

According to the Clean Air Task Force, an organization that rated risk from diesel soot in U.S. counties, Marin ranked 852 of 3,109 counties. Unhealthy. (Though not nearly as bad as Los Angeles)

Lake, Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties reportedly have some of California's cleanest air but that's according to the American Lung Association, which doesn't test for pesticides.

Right now twist ties to defeat the Light Brown Apple Moth (LBAM) have been distributed throughout parts of Marin, Monterey, Santa Cruz, Napa, Sonoma and Los Angeles Counties. I've had trouble finding out exactly where these twist ties are, and what's in them. I know carcinogens and hormone disruptors were in the LBAM aerial pesticide spray in Nov. 2007 in Monterey County (I was there as a visitor, and I felt sick as a result).

I wish your neighbors would be more considerate of your health. I wonder if they need a new cleaner stove and or fireplace. If that's the case, some clean air agencies help pay for them. I'm not sure if BAAQMD will or not. I just checked and didn't see incentives for stoves, though I know other areas do offer this and maybe BAAQMD can start.

By way of example, Lane Regional Air Protection Agency in Southern Oregon provides tax incentives for clean-burning pellet stoves or certified woodstoves.

Meanwhile, I suggest buying air purifiers and placing more than one in your living room and bedroom.

Sometimes it takes a scream, and writing letters, testifying for stricter air pollution standards to get noticed and get things done.

Other times, it takes extra consideration for your neighbor, friend, and family-member's well-being.

I'm sorry you're suffering.

Best wishes,

Donna

Photo of Monterey, California taken October 25, 2009

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Route 46: Most Dangerous Road-Trip In California Began Amongst Birds & Butterflies

Donna Barnett — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:12:00 -0700

We're all innocent until we listen to the wrong voices. Why is trial and error painful? Listen to your heart and you fall in love with a narcissist who makes life miserable, listen to your head and you lose your heart, listen to your fears--never give counsel to your fears. So what's left?

Mapquest.

I listened to Mapquest's directions to get home expediently. To get into the safety of my own bed after getting the boot in Canada, pollen in Oregon, & a welcome from my dad's wife in San Rafael, "When are you leaving?"

After driving solo thousands of miles on straight and windy roads for my Los Angeles to British Columbia round-trip escapade, I was on my last leg going home in a twelve year old car without a CD player--I've never owned a CD player deemed a luxury after shoes--when I found myself locked in a soul-gripping game:

Avoid Trucks, SUVs, and Big Black Sedans while they play Let's-Speed-Into-Oncoming-Traffic on the worst road in California!, which I learned is: Route 46

I was driving Route 46, the connector between the 101 and 5, which I picked up in Paso Robles to avoid Santa Barbara and Los Angeles traffic thanks to Mapquest.

Mapquest: all head and no heart. Sure it all connected logically but oh my God!!!

As soon as I veered off the 101 near Paso Robles, after leaving Monterey and the Butterfly Sanctuary in Pacific Grove---Hummm, peace---for Route 46, something inside me said: This doesn't feel right. THIS DOESN'T FEEL RIGHT!

But I knew General George S. Patton's adage: Don't ever give counsel to your fears.

Why am I quoting a war hero instead of listening to my own voice. Nevertheless, I plowed on: Mapquest lead me home!

I continued on and on. And on.

Through desolation. Through rolling hills. Yellow. Dry. Brush.

On a two lane narrow road, dodging trucks that had morphed into racecars, yes!, going east and west, passing into one another's lane like drunken Mexicans on a Friday afternoon with a week's pay check. (I'm not prejudice, but just wait...)

Indeed, it was Friday afternoon.

I traveled fast to keep up with the racecars, but not too fast in case I'd need to dodge a potential head-on collision by driving into a ditch or up a hill at the side of the road.

46 East went on for 63 miles. Yes, 63 miles of intense concentration and near death worries for me and those crazy racecar drivers.

I passed sad grape vines, withering despondent in the heat of the sun. We're in a drought they seemed to say. Don't talk to me.

I passed desolate mountains, too. Dry old sacks. I snaked through 'em, dodging trucks. Yes, I went through a mountain range. The Coastal Ranges to be exact. Alone. Me and the truckers. I felt so alone out there.

Not enjoying the drive. Not enjoying the scenery. Nor the lack of music.

Bitter Water Valley. Lost Hills. (Oh so well-named) Lost Hills Oil Rigs. Those rusted out multi-colored oil rigs looked sad, lonely, too, in need of repair despite their monotonous up-down grind for liquid black gold.

Expediently--thank you, Mapquest. How about add a better view and safety next time.

As I drove with 100% concentration--my life was at stake--my nerves gradually unraveled. One racecar truck driver after another overtook me, swerving ahead, into on-coming traffic.

A black sedan was particularly bold, passing I'll guess at 100 miles per hour on a two-lane windy road with oncoming trucks. I thought this guy is going to die. That's what I thought. I was sure of it.

After passing what looked like the surface of a bare moon, with sloping craters, I finally finally made it to a gas station called Blackwells Corner in Lost Hills at 17191 HWY 46. I needed gas and water.

Many truckers pulled in, and I inquired about this treacherous drive:

One trucker said,

"This is the most dangerous road in all of California. You shouldn't take it."

"I just did," my eyes looked east and saw a sign Route 46 Closed Due To Accident. "But it appears there's been an accident and I'll need to finish my journey to Interstate 5 on a detour route."

We were in the middle of what only nowhere could look like.

Vast stretches of inland farmland were close because the air was thick with the intense smog and stench of San Bernadino, and signs from farmers warning no water no food unless we do something fast.

After filling up with gas, I entered the well-lit large gas-station store that offered bags of nuts, dried fruit, sodas, fresh sandwiches, and toilets and I heard Spanish spoken rapidly.

A number of Mexicans that looked like they'd worked hard with their hands all day, were buying beer and talking about a 4 person fatality accident just ahead on Route 46.

Immediately, I thought of that mean black sedan that had passed, driving into oncoming traffic at dizzying speeds way back on Route 46.

Then I looked at the beer sitting on the counter. I followed that beer and its tired looking new companions to their truck, and let them start the detour before me.

The sun blazed in the sky. It was around 5 p.m. and I still had a few hours to get home, I wanted to do it before dark. Would I make it?

I started the detour through desolate farmland, eventually making it to Interstate 5. In a weird way, it was a welcomed relief despite I had to drive 70-80 mph to come close to trucker and SUV speeds, and even then many drivers were angry that I drove slow. I wasn't willing to go faster. I mean, how could I safely avoid a head-on collision by driving into a ditch at 100 mph? I wasn't so sure about 70 mph either. Such was the math in my head.

It was all so exhausting.

As the sun started to set, and smog settled into my lungs, the Welcome to Southern California cough returned.

I was a few hours yet from home, and I wondered:

Why didn't I listen to my inner voice when I started Route 46 and it didn't feel right? Why did I listen to Mapquest instead? I could have continued on the 101 and if I hit traffic, stopped in Santa Barbara for a leisurely dinner.

Then darkness fell as I snaked through the grapevine morphed by truckers to my left and right--another range of mountains known for wind and elevation.

My eyes fought the blinking lights from on-coming traffic, and despite being tired and hungry and needing a toilet, I refused to stop.

Tears from fear and exhaustion trickled down my face. Around Valencia the freeway lanes broadened and traffic filled in.

I hardly know how I managed, but around 7:30 p.m. I made it home safely.

Never to do that drive again.

Avoid Route 46 & listen to your inner voice.

If you enjoyed this post, you might like No! That's A Scary Cliff Road! and The Road to Mt. Baker.

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Monterey, California

Donna Barnett — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 10:42:20 -0700

It's such a gorgeous day, I wanted to share what Monterey looks like. This photo was taken minutes ago from hotel's plaza level. I returned to Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa because I wrote a review a few years ago and fell in love with the property, views, location... clean air.

Just came back to my room to pack up, and get ready for the Monarch Grove Sanctuary where every fall monarchs arrive from Canada because they can't take the cold. Kind of like me. :-)

The tagline for Monterey Tourism "Alive is the Air". True.

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Half Moon Bay, California

Donna Barnett — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 08:26:58 -0700

Half Moon Bay has the largest pumpkin festival in the world. It's on highway one. I stopped going through to Monterey where I'm writing now. Enroute I stopped in Palo Alto thinking I might go to the United Nations Association Film Festival on "energy and the world". But parking was hard to find at Stanford University so I kept moving on. The big surprise for me... I hadn't stopped in the area for years, and air pollution in Silicon Valley area was intense.

Situated in a valley, now with lots of cars circulating, grayish black particulates covered buildings and mountains in the distance.

I took this shot coming over the hill from Half Moon Bay going toward 280 South for Palo Alto.

Silicon Valley area is also home to 29 superfund toxic sites, currently in process of long haul clean up.

But not far off on the coasts are clean air locations like Half Moon Bay, and more I'll tell you about soon.

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