District studies having air quality tested at 5 North Charleston schools
By Tony Bartelme
Charleston County school officials are studying whether to test air outside five North Charleston schools after a recent USA Today investigation ranked air around these facilities as among the most polluted in the nation.
District leaders recently asked a consultant to develop an air testing plan for Chicora Elementary, Mary Ford Elementary, Charlestowne Academy, Academic Magnet High and North Charleston High.
The Post and Courier
USA Today says schools clustered around North Charleston are among those with the most polluted air in the nation. (<a href="http://www.charleston.net/usatoday/schoolair/"><strong><em>Click here for an interactive graphic</em></strong></a> <em>showing their findings</em>.) Parent Nancy Button spoke Monday outside North Charleston High School.
"We're jumping on this and trying to be proactive," said Bill Lewis, the district's capital programs chief.
In a special report last month called "The Smokestack Effect," USA Today worked with researchers at Johns Hopkins University to identify air pollution hot spots near schools.
Using computer simulations to predict paths of toxic chemicals, the newspaper gave failing grades to air outside many schools near the industrial Neck Area.
Only 168 schools out of more than 120,000 nationwide had worse air than what's outside Chicora Elementary, the newspaper's calculations showed.
Other local schools in the bottom 2 percent were Charlestowne Academy, Academic Magnet High School, North Charleston High, Mary Ford Elementary, Military Magnet Academy, St. John Catholic School and Boulder Bluff Elementary in Goose Creek.
Conservation groups and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People held a news conference Monday next to North Charleston High and urged state officials to take action.
"Heavy industry has too often located too close to neighborhoods that have no voice," said the Rev. Joe Darby, first vice president of the Charleston branch of the NAACP.
"It is no secret to those who live around here that industrial pollution is a problem," added Nancy Vinson, program director for the Coastal Conservation League. "But this study by leading national scientists and researchers reveals just how bad it may be."
Darby and Vinson praised the district's response so far but said the state Department of Health and Environmental Control needs to lead the effort to investigate the matter.
The USA Today report based its ranking on EPA data and computer-based calculations, not actual tests of air outside South Carolina schools.
After the newspaper report, district officials hired S&ME Engineering to develop an air monitoring proposal, said Mark Cobb, executive director of facilities services.
The consultant recommended checking air at five North Charleston schools at a cost of about $4,500 to $5,000 per school, Cobb said. Analyzing the data would cost an additional $1,500 to $2,000 per school.
Cobb also contacted officials at DHEC. They told him that the state already has an air monitor half a mile from Chicora Elementary. He said district officials and DHEC engineers plan to meet this week, and that the district could decide whether to move forward with the tests as early as next week.
If the district does the tests and finds poor air quality outside the schools, Cobb said, he's unsure what the district can do because regulating air pollution is DHEC's responsibility.
Lewis said the district hadn't received any complaints about air quality outside the schools identified in the USA Today report. "But we want to be overly cautious. The kids' safety and health come first," he said.
USA Today's report fingered Charleston Marine Containers Inc., MeadWestvaco (which has since been sold to KapStone Paper and Packaging), Detyens Shipyard, Rhodia, Saint-Gobain Vetrotex America Inc. and other industrial concerns as releasing most of the toxic chemicals that drift toward the schools. Manganese, which can cause mental disturbances and other physical problems, along with chromium compounds, which can cause numerous health problems, were the two most prevalent pollutants being dispersed near the North Charleston schools, the USA Today report said.
During the news conference outside North Charleston High, a teacher at Charlestowne Academy said 10 staffers have contracted cancer in recent years. Nancy Button, a resident of Rosemont who sends her children to North Charleston schools, said DHEC "needs to run more tests because a lot of our kids have asthma, bronchitis and sinus problems."
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Tides (anonymous) says...
Bill Lewis? LMAO!
January 13, 2009 at 6:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
voxpopuli (anonymous) says...
Like all studies we need to look at the methods of determining the results. The article states that the results came from computer models and makes no mention of field samples of the air.
January 13, 2009 at 6:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
karmann (anonymous) says...
"Trying to be proactive...." CCSD to the rescue after the fact again.
January 13, 2009 at 6:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
a_set_love (anonymous) says...
%http://content.usatoday.com/news/nation/environment/smokestack/index
In a special report last month called "The Smokestack Effect," USA Today worked with university researchers to identify air pollution hot spots near schools.
USA Today's report fingered Charleston Marine Containers Inc., MeadWestvaco, Detyens Shipyard, Rhodia, Saint-Gobain Vetrotex America Inc. and other industrial concerns as releasing most of the toxic chemicals that drift toward the schools.
***********************************************************
Charleston Marine Containers, Detyens Shipyard don't have smokestacks. Does Rhodia, Saint-Gobain Vetrotex America Inc have smokestacks spewing forth poison?
Is the P/C - USA Today accusing these companies of poisoning their workers and all the people living throughout the City of North Charleston and the entire Tri County Metro area?
Luckily all this pollution stops at the North Charleston city limits doesn't it P/C.
Even though the USA story goes on to accuse Alumax of poisoning schools on Johns Island.
(Enter South Carolina in the drop down box for state, then do your search)
January 13, 2009 at 6:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
a_set_love (anonymous) says...
"Heavy industry has too often located too close to neighborhoods that have no voice," said the Rev. Joe Darby, first vice president of the Charleston branch of the NAACP.
"It is no secret to those who live around here that industrial pollution is a problem," added Nancy Vinson, program director for the Coastal Conservation League. "But this study by leading national scientists and researchers reveals just how bad it may be."
Darby and Vinson praised the district's response so far but said the state Department of Health and Environmental Control needs to lead the effort to investigate the matter.
*************************************************************
Is it really true that the Liberal Socialist group the Coastal Conservation League is against all industry in the Tri County Metro area.
January 13, 2009 at 6:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rollo (anonymous) says...
I'm wondering if these "computer simulations" are as accurate as those used to promote the MMGW hoax?
January 13, 2009 at 6:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Funky_Winkerbean (anonymous) says...
ROTFL----
I thought the word Charleston was The Indian name for pollution. Only other place that can come close is The Love Canal. I know anyone 40 and above remembers the lovely, pungent odors Charleston's plants used to produce. I remember those pleasant rides down Old King Street extension when my eyes would burn and I would cough-up a lung. Ah! Progress. . . Doesn't matter how many of us they contaminated as long as the money flowed in. I remember a news article several years ago(20 maybe?) when some poor man was fishing in the Ashley River and the fish he caught started exploding in his boat, they were full on phosphorus.
What is a Charlestonian to do? Nowhere to run guys.
Coff,Coff just clearing my lungs-
Funky_Winkerbean
January 13, 2009 at 7:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wethepeople (anonymous) says...
On a side note, why does the school district need to pay for a study? I thought DHEC already got paid by taxes to do this job.
January 13, 2009 at 7:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
commonsence (anonymous) says...
Let's see...cash strapped CCSD reads a study and quickly finds thousands of dollars for their own air quality study. Not that there is anything they can do about the results anyway...what a joke.
January 13, 2009 at 7:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
desspec (anonymous) says...
Can't help but wonder how many thousands have attended these schools for over 60 years and are doing well today ....
January 13, 2009 at 7:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
scottmcx (anonymous) says...
New term for y'all, I got this from the Coastal Conservation League at a 526 meeting, "Environmental Justice". Defined as a Federal Rule giving minorities affirmative action, more "justice" for for them in environmental matters. They try not to "take" land or impact "minorities" before "the rest of us". Minorities also get more money for their property in condemnation. So if you're poor and white on Johns Island, your land is more likely to get a highway through it and you'll get less money for it than a poor "minority". Ever read the inscription over the entrance to the US Supreme Court..."Equal Justice For All". What a joke.
The Neck Area air quality has been monitored by the State since, at least, the 1970s. A pal of mine used to check the equipment. The article specifically said USA Today did not take any air samples. So, the State either ignores high levels or USA Today made it up to incite the locals.
We all want clean air and environment but we also don't want BS statistics that are made up by people with another agenda. There are Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics....
January 13, 2009 at 7:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
firemike (anonymous) says...
Bad air makes you learn better.
January 13, 2009 at 8:01 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
capnphil (anonymous) says...
At Charlestowne Academy, they have been telling administrators since moving into that building six years ago the amount of solid particulate matter flowing out of the 50 year old + HVAC systems was too high. Every morning one has to brush off the computer screens of the solid dust particles. No wonder several teachers contracted Cancer. "Proactive", riiiiiiiiight. Yes, why isn't DHEC just doing a study without the County paying for it? I tell you, the County administrators are a fine example of the "Peter Principle", folks achieving their highest level of incompetence.
January 13, 2009 at 8:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dontpullupthedrawbridge (anonymous) says...
DHEC is doing air monitoring in the Neck, at least for fine particulate from vehicle emissions...
http://www.scdhec.net/environment/baq...
Yesterday's PM2.5 24 Hour Average was 11 micrograms per cubic meter, well below the PM2.5 24 Hour Average Standard of 35.
January 13, 2009 at 8:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kszimmer7 (anonymous) says...
Please make sure you understand the term "environmental justice." It is not new at all to the field of environmental research. And the definition of "environmental justice" is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. This is not a policy intended to favor one group over another, but rather to ensure that when one group fights for a "not in my backyard" solution, it doesn't affect someone else's backyard disproportionately.
January 13, 2009 at 8:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
a_set_love (anonymous) says...
blue_eyes - Most all of the heaviest polluting industries were there years before the City of North Charleston ever existed.
So which ones are you blameing on the City of North Charleston.
January 13, 2009 at 9:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
scottmcx (anonymous) says...
Blue Eys & Zimmer
I don't have the Rule language only the verbal explanation from the 526 meeting.
If you knew the history of the Neck and Charleston Heights, you'd know it was farm land when the Navy Base arrived in the late 1800s. There were no neighborhoods in the neck they were built mostly in the 1920s & 1940s for the Wars. The base brought the Steel Mill (which is closed) and an ESSO (EXXON) refinery (closed) and other heavy industry. It seems they would have the largest impacts. The neighborhoods grew up to provide labor to those and were mostly white until the 1970s and were impacted by the worst industries. In fact, they were segregated white in the late 50s and early 60s. With the execption of 1-2 small areas.
So as I understand what you're saying, if an area transitions from white to minority all industry must pack up and leave or it becomes a civil rights issue?
As I said, we all want clean air, especially for children of all races.
The solution is shut down the Deytens at the Shipyard and send all that work to Hyundai Heavy Industries in Korea. Then all the folks from those Neck neighborhoods can be even more unemployed and go on welfare.
Perfect plan. The end of the USA as an econonic power and oppress a minority even more by taking their jobs.
Thanks CCCL!
January 13, 2009 at 9:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
scottmcx (anonymous) says...
So Blue-eyes...If you have children you've committed the worst environmental sin of all, over population. Bet you have more than one, too, right?
I said, "As I said, we all want clean air, especially for children of all races." We simply need balance and some logic when it come to getting there.
You were all about "Civil Rights" what about the white folks who lived there when it was really bad? Do they and their families get reparations?
You'd let your kids freeze in the dark, at least until the Chinese take us over because we don't have any industry at all which certainly means no military to protect us.
Then, we can all dig coal for the the Chinese as their slaves.
January 13, 2009 at 9:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oneworld (anonymous) says...
for all those who questioned the methods used to get the results of this study please see the US EPA site: http://www.epa.gov/oppt/rsei/index.html
This model has gone through much scrutiny since its original development in the early 90's. It is designed to ID 'hot spots' where the air has the potential to be bad, as compared to other schools in the study. All that CCL is asking for is an investigation to see whether or not these chemicals are in the air since the model shows that North Charleston is a likely hot spot.
I don't see why so many of you are against simply having DHEC do their job and properly test the air. The air monitor noted by dontpullupthedrawbridge does not test for the heavy metals that were discussed in the article.
January 13, 2009 at 10:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
a_set_love (anonymous) says...
So the story from USA Today - P/C shows that the First Baptist School, south of broad, in the city of charleston is a hot spot being polluted by Alumax and Nucor Steel.
This would also mean that all the people living south of broad and their properties are contaminated. I hope they quickly take steps to save their investments.
January 13, 2009 at 10:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
carlinjani (anonymous) says...
Maybe I'm strange, but I can't help but wonder if anyone is worrying about all the people who live in this same area?
January 13, 2009 at 11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
scottmcx (anonymous) says...
So, that's an admission if I've ever seen one. BE you DO have kids, more than one, who create more and more demands on industry which destroys the planet. You're an Eco-criminal.
BTW I'm over 50 and only have one. I am a true environmentalist not a hipocrite. This was a decision I made early in life because of my core environmental beliefs. You know, supply and demand.
Clearly, you can't say the same. You're simply an Eco-Nazi. You want "stuff", for you and yours, and deny "stuff" for all others, except minorities because you feel guilty.
I say it again, we ALL want a cleaner environment and deserve it.
True environmentalists would not dream of over breeding. Environmentalism requires real commitment.
January 13, 2009 at 11:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
crankyyankee (anonymous) says...
scottmcx, though I may agree, "granny of six" is not going to be happy with you todat!
January 13, 2009 at 1:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Funky_Winkerbean (anonymous) says...
SCOTTMCX ... I verify what you say to be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Sorry the Nouveau Charlestonians don't realize this. If some of these new comers only knew what their McMansions's where built on. The Realtors will sell them homes and lie through their teeth. Only we Charlestionians with families that have been here since Charleston was Charles Town know the truth.
Funky_Winkerbean 1670
January 13, 2009 at 2:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yird (anonymous) says...
Manganese, which can cause mental disturbances and other physical problems, along with chromium compounds, which can cause numerous health problems, were the two most prevalent pollutants being dispersed near the North Charleston schools, the USA Today report said.
==============================================================
At last we have a partial answer to resolving the burgeoning crime problem in North Charleston.
It's has to be caused by people afflicted by manganese and chromium ingestion.
All that's left is to determine why these evil products of modern industry effect blacks more than whites.
January 13, 2009 at 4:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
greyman (anonymous) says...
Well if the schools here rank high in air pollution at least they finally rank high in something. They are not going to rank high in standardized test scores.....
With out a air test though this article is kinda dumb.
January 13, 2009 at 6:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
burton (anonymous) says...
Hello! There are already DHEC air monitors in Chicora, Accabee, and Union Heights and have been for the past 2-3 months. This is a waste of our taxpayer money! So far the testing has shown that the air quality is under the national standards. But we will continue to keep our eyes out on all the industrial based industries that are in this area!
January 13, 2009 at 7:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yird (anonymous) says...
Posted by blue_eyes on January 13, 2009 at 5:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
yird I didn't know there was a manganese and chromium plant in Columbia. That explains a lot.
=============================================================
Hey blind_eyes, I think the discussoin was related to North Charleston. Duh!
January 13, 2009 at 8:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
moon843 (anonymous) says...
It would seem that the schools should be closed and accessed for further damages. The County had misappropriated funds in the pass. This is very disturbing for us in light of the current economic crisis, but maybe the building at 75 Calhoun should be sold. All monies for the sale should go to the schools. I would think that would be a priority for the State of South Carolina.
January 13, 2009 at 9:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
a_set_love (anonymous) says...
blue_eyes - Most all of the heaviest polluting industries were there years before the City of North Charleston ever existed.
So which ones are you blaming on the City of North Charleston.
January 13, 2009 at 9:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
a_set_love (anonymous) says...
Never let the "TRUTH" get in the way of a good story, huh blue_eyes.
January 13, 2009 at 9:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
a_set_love (anonymous) says...
I wonder why Nancy Button didn't show up for the meeting on Air Quality back in early 2008.
%www.scdhec.gov/environment/baq/docs/ChasNeckStudy/20080312%20minutes.pdf
January 13, 2009 at 9:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
a_set_love (anonymous) says...
We already know the environmentalists don't want the new Port built in the City of North Charleston.
January 13, 2009 at 9:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kszimmer7 (anonymous) says...
Scottmcx, your arguments are a bit extreme. I believe it's more balanced for social justice and economic viability to at least determine what the air quality issue is, and then work with the companies in the North Charleston area to determine how they can at least mitigate the issues that are hampering the health of any citizens in the area. And the area may be predominantly black (hence the NAACP involvement), but I am in this neighborhood every day, and I see plenty of white people as well. I would argue that this is has elements of both race and socioeconomic issues, not just race. Your focus is too narrow in your argument, and the irony of your argument is that you are leaving out the white people who still live/work/learn in the area while you vigorously try to protect them. Businesses dont die out and go overseas without an economic agenda--I would ask those businesses about their "good neighbor" policies before I start worrying about them "running off to China." I have seen plenty of new businesses open up over the past couple of years, particularly along Spruill. Furthermore, if we are really going to start debating the issue of overpopulation, then looking at the equation of reproduction, you actually have room to have another child. The general principle is to replace your own life. Therefore, a couple who reproduces would have two children to sustain the population. Lastly, you bring up reparation. I think the reparation that we would all like to see--which you mention yourself--is that we recognize our local pollution issues by protecting posterity, and not relegating them to the same issues that previous generations dealt with/are dealing with. Black, white, whatever color--everyone deserves to breathe clean air. We're all saying the same thing here, we just need to work together as a community to agree on the methods for solution.
January 14, 2009 at 10:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
TheTruthandNothing (anonymous) says...
SC is the second state in the Union in Cancer - I believe it's the water and air! My question is, when will the EPA & DHEC get off their lazy behinds and investigate this companies.
April 4, 2009 at 10:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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