Valley schools to get hourly air updates ( Fresno CA )

[Kadie]

Valley schools to get hourly air updates
Air board will give targeted, real-time data to help keep kids safe, active.

Posted at 12:03 AM on Monday, Sep. 13, 2010
By Mark Grossi / The Fresno Bee Share


When lung-scorching soot hangs in the Valley fog this fall, school officials will get hourly updates on bad air as part of the nation's first real-time pollution alert network.

Using automated e-mail, text messages and updates online, the regional air district will help schools decide hour-by-hour if students will be allowed outside for athletic events, recess and other outdoor activities.

Teachers, coaches, administrators and parents can sign up through the local air district in late October to get the alerts on their computers and their cell phones.

The innovation is a step forward. Conventional air-quality forecasts are often 24 hours old by the time schools make important decisions on athletic activities affecting thousands of people.

And, in contrast to conventional countywide forecasts, the hourly notifications will provide information just from the air monitors nearest to the schools. There are about two dozen of the monitors scattered mostly through major urban areas.


Read more: http://www.fresnobee.com/2010/09/12/2076129/valley-schools-to-get-hourly-air.html#ixzz0zQNCfz00

[Dappleganger]

1. As an asthmatic mother

with four asthmatic kids, I think this is a welcomed alert.

[m00nbeam]

2. The alert system is great

Just kind of a shame we have to have one due to our irresponsibility to the environment.

[Kadie]

7. I know.

It is a shame that we need it, but I am so glad it is there for those who do need it.

[m00nbeam]

8. Yes

The pollution in California is terrible. Especially inland.

[seabeyond]

3. see what happens when you force all those smokers outside. nt

[Whoa_Nelly]

4. Excellent

have lived in the valley, south of Fresno, and my grandkids live and go to school there. I know how bad that air there can be...and there is a lot that not only settles in the San Joaquin Valley, but a lot of Ag pollution from many farming practices and types of farms contribute heavily to the air quality there.

[gratuitous]

5. Yes everyone be on alert

Because we sure as hell aren't about to do anything about the causes of unbreathable air. If it is unbreathable, that is. Did you know that there are some pulmonologists who think that aspirating solids is actually good for you? But their research sadly goes unnoticed and unreported by the oh-so-politically-correct medical community that discounts industry-paid scientists and demands "studies" and "proof" of assertions.

[Brickbat]

6. I find this shameful that this is going on in America.