The Air Quality Index (AQI) of Chandigarh and Panchkula has slipped into the very poor category, as analysed by the Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS) set up in Sector 22, Sector 25 and Sector 53 and Sector 6 (for Panchkula).

The deterioration of AQI, health experts stated, ought to be taken seriously by the public, especially those with chronic respiratory disorders.
Professor Ashutosh N Aggarwal, head of the Department of Pulmonary Medicine, PGI, said that in view of the poor air quality nowadays, people with chronic respiratory disorders are at a greater risk of their symptoms — like cough and breathlessness — worsening if they stay outdoors for long periods.

“It is advisable that people with compromised lung function stay indoors as much as feasible, and wear masks to minimise exposure to airborne pollutants if they venture outside. Those on long-term treatment should continue to take their drugs regularly as prescribed. In case patients experience any deterioration in their lung condition, or if they develop new respiratory symptoms, they should immediately consult their doctor to assess if their medications need to be temporarily increased or changed,” explained Aggarwal.

As for the rising use of inhalers, Aggarwal stated that like any other drug, inhaled medications should be used judiciously, and only for the purpose they are intended for. People with respiratory diseases, such as asthma, use inhalers for long periods of time and regular usage helps to keep their disease under control.

“Doctors generally prescribe drugs and dosages that maximize medical benefit, while keeping side effects to a minimum. But several people use inhalers on their own for any respiratory symptom, and often also as a preventive measure, without any medical prescription and without knowing the constituent drugs in these devices. Naturally, such usage is unlikely to provide the intended health benefits but may potentially cause harm. Depending on the inhaled drugs, some people may experience throat discomfort, higher risk of throat and lung infections, palpitations, visual complaints, or urine retention” said Aggarwal.

Dr Ravindra Khaiwal, additional professor of the Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health, PGI, stated that cities with weak winds are more prone to pollution.

“We examined the data on air quality in Chandigarh and found that greater PM10 or PM2.5 values appear at low wind speeds. Polluted air is being carried farther and subjected to higher ‘ventilation’ across a wider area. Increased emissions over the past few days are linked to higher vehicular emissions, waste burning, crop residue burning in rural regions, and the recent firecrackers,” he said.

The winter temperature inversion, lower atmospheric boundary layer, and increased moisture with a high level of air pollutants are responsible for a thin layer of smog in the region, Khaiwal added.

“Long-term exposure to high air pollution is a major risk factor for various lung and cardiovascular diseases. People with pre-existing health conditions, such as respiratory or heart illness, may be affected more severely, including pregnant women and children,” he added.

“Post-Diwali, the air worsened, and we started seeing more cases of exacerbations (worsening of pre-existing symptoms) of asthma, COPD, and new patients with no history or family history of asthma. Stay indoors as much as possible and avoid outside travel early morning or evening hours. Maintain good hydration with good fluid intake. Wear a triple layer or simple cloth mask to decrease the particulate matter being inhaled when outside,” said Dr Amit Kumar Mandal, director of Pulmonology, Sleep and Critical Care, Fortis Hospital. Inhalers, he added, are excellent for patients with obstructive airway diseases – like asthma and COPD.

These patients should continue with the use of inhalers on a regular basis as per medical advice.

“They are more harmful if not taken appropriately and patients should stay in touch with their physicians for management and preservation of their lung functions,” stated Mandal.

‘Do not use air purifiers’

Health experts also did not recommend routine use of indoor air purifiers. The rising pollution levels have also increased the queries for indoor air purifiers.

Talking about the use of air purifier systems for homes, Professor Ashutosh N Aggarwal said these purifiers can theoretically capture particulate matter from the air entering its inlet, releasing air with lesser pollutants at its outlet.

However, the efficiency of various such filters in cleaning the air in the entire room over a given time is highly variable, and not known in a real-world setting.

“Since indoor air pollutants are substantially derived from outdoor air entering the rooms, any potential benefit is also not sustained unless the room stays permanently closed. It is also not clear if these filters can reduce indoor polluting particles to a level that is sufficient to achieve measurable health benefits. Currently, therefore, we do not recommend indoor air purifiers for routine use at homes,” he said.

Air purifiers, added Mandal, may be effective in the NCR region (where levels are far worse) for patients with chronic lung problems and on respiratory support – home oxygen or non-invasive ventilator support.

Khaiwal agreed that these could be effective for people with underlying diseases and children. However, air purifier cleaning efficiency depends on indoor and outdoor air pollution and exchange ratio.

“This is an expensive solution to minimise air pollution and restrict physical activity, as the person will be confined to limited space. Further, the benefits of improving indoor air quality is diminished as outdoor air quality deteriorates. Air purifiers only effectively reduce exposure to mainly fine particles in enclosed environments — such as homes and offices. However, many individuals spend a lot of time in cars and other public locations where it may be difficult or impossible to install an air purifier,” he stated.

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Yesterday, utility regulators at Arizona Corporation Commission approved new energy saving programs for Arizona Public Service (APS) and Tucson Electric Power (TEP) customers. The energy efficiency programs, unique to each service territory, will give customers more options to save money on their utility bills and improve the health and safety of individuals. The decision to approve $97 million annually for both utilities includes funding for several new offerings, such as Advanced Rooftop Controls that improve indoor air quality for public schools and expanded access to home weatherization services that can make or break many customers’ electric bills.

READ ALSO: Most Influential Women: Susan M. Gray, Tucson Electric Power

APS and TEP’s energy saving programs passed on a 3-2 vote.

“By approving both APS and TEP’s programs, the Arizona Corporation Commission made a statement that energy efficiency is a core part of a utilities’ business operations,” said Caryn Potter, Arizona Representative of the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP). “Energy efficiency is the underbelly of Arizona’s economy. Simply put, eliminating energy waste improves economic productivity, all the while reducing the need to generate power from more expensive options while supporting more local jobs.”

“The Commission is to be applauded for taking decisive action on TEP and APS’s energy efficiency programs,” stated Cynthia Zwick, Executive Director of Wildfire: Igniting Community Action to End Poverty in Arizona. “Arizona’s most vulnerable communities continue to suffer from high inflation and a high energy burden. TEP and APS’s energy efficiency offerings will be a necessary and deserved break.”

Diane E. Brown, Executive Director of the Arizona PIRG Education Fund, added, “The Commission’s vote to extend and expand energy efficiency offerings demonstrates that they recognize the programs are a smart investment. Over the last decade, for every $1 of ratepayer money invested in APS and TEP’s energy efficiency programs ~$3.69 in total benefits was returned to ratepayers. Energy efficiency programs provide certainty to businesses and financial benefits to ratepayers.”

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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released new draft rules to limit methane emissions from the oil and gas sector on Friday during the United Nations Climate Change Conference, or COP27.

The draft rule released Friday builds upon a previous draft rule released last year.

Environmental advocates say that the proposal is strong, but could be stronger. Many groups said further restrictions or elimination of routine flaring are needed. Full text of the draft rule can be found here. 

“Ozone pollution and climate impacts from methane emissions pose a serious threat to our people. Navajo leaders and community members have been calling on the federal government and the Navajo Nation to do more to limit pollution from oil and gas,” Robyn Jackson, the interim executive director of Diné CARE, said in a statement. “The EPA is on the right track proposing its updated methane standard. Inspections at smaller wells with leaky equipment are especially important at the older oil and gas infrastructure we see in Navajo Country. We need a strong final rule that cuts pollution from those wells. Both tribal and federal governments must act by adopting strong rules to protect our communities, our health, and our future. We must also ensure Navajo communities are not robbed of royalty revenue by wasting our natural resources as we transition to a more sustainable and cleaner future.”

The draft rule requires operators to show evidence that methane capture is not possible and that flaring is unavoidable before they can flare.

Flaring is often done during well completions, for safety reasons or when infrastructure is not available to take the gas.

According to the EPA, if implemented, the draft rules would lead to 87 percent less methane emissions than 2005 levels.

“This revised draft rule is a welcome reprieve to those of us living in the most prolific oil field in the United States, the Permian Basin,” Kaley Shoup, an organizer for Citizens Caring for the Future, said in a statement. “This rule raises the bar on the use of zero-emitting equipment and will finally clamp down on emission from abandoned wells.”

Shoup said the draft rule creates a strong foundation, but that the EPA should look to New Mexico for guidance and strictly limit routine flaring.

“Pollution doesn’t stop at the state border, and New Mexico alone cannot solve the pollution issue for those of us in frontline communities of the Permian Basin,” Shoup said. “We hope that these rules can be implemented and enforced swiftly, as the Permian faces down ozone pollution levels that are in violation of the Clean Air Act.” 

Related: Study: Improper flaring leading to larger methane emissions than previously thought

The draft rules include a super-emitter response program. This program would require operators to respond to credible reports of high methane leaks. These reports could come from environmental advocates that visit sites to check for leaks.

“The United States is once again a global leader in confronting the climate crisis, and we must lead by example when it comes to tackling methane pollution – one of the biggest drivers of climate change,” EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan said in a press release. 

Regan said the agency is listening to feedback it has received from the public, which has led to a strengthened proposal that he said will allow for innovative new technologies to flourish and will also protect people and the planet. 

He said that the proposed standards will “work hand in hand with the historic level of resources from the Inflation Reduction Act.” 

The draft rules include routine monitoring for leaks and requirements for flares to ensure they are properly operating.

“The EPA’s supplemental rule represents a significant step forward in U.S. efforts to curb the worst effects of climate change,” Tannis Fox, a senior attorney with the Western Environmental Law Center, said in a statement. “We appreciate that EPA listened to the vast amount of public input it received on last year’s draft proposal and is proposing measures to ensure the rule’s air quality and public health benefits are felt where they are most needed, in frontline communities like those in the Permian Basin and the Four Corners.”

A supplemental proposal would require states to develop plans to limit methane emissions within 18 months of the rule being finalized.

New Mexico already has a rule in place to limit methane emissions from oil and gas.

“New Mexico’s oil and gas methane and smog standards have been a real example for the federal safeguards that came out this morning,” Camilla Feibelman, director of the Rio Grande Chapter of the Sierra Club, said in a statement. 

Comments on the supplemental proposal are being accepted through Feb. 13.

Shanna Edberg, the conservation director of the Hispanic Access Foundation, praised the EPA for proposing what she described as a strong proposal that includes provisions to address routine flaring. However, she said the rule needs further strengthening when it comes to flaring, or burning off excess gas. 

“Cutting methane emissions is critical to not only combating climate change but improving the health of our communities, especially Hispanic and Latino communities that can be disproportionately impacted by air and climate pollution from oil and gas development,” she said in a statement. “Latino children are twice as likely to die from asthma attacks, and in many regions throughout the U.S., oil and gas development contributes to that pollution.” 

Emily Wolf, the New Mexico senior program coordinator with the National Parks Conservation Association, said the draft rule is a “major step in the right direction.”

“For years, methane leaks from oil and gas drilling in the Permian Basin have plagued New Mexico’s national parks and communities,” she said in a statement. “In fact, recent reporting showed that Permian companies emit nearly 1.4 million metric tons of methane each year. This pollution inflicts damage on the communities, fragile ecosystems, landscapes and wildlife in and around Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Chaco Culture National Historical Park, and threatens the health of people in New Mexico and beyond. By ensuring strong and lasting cuts in methane waste and pollution across the country, the EPA can combat the climate crisis, benefit New Mexico’s economy, and guarantee future generations can experience our national parks.”

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(Washington, D.C. – Nov. 11) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced its latest regulatory proposal to substantially reduce oil and gas methane pollution, which builds on and strengthens the agency’s initial proposal released last November. 

“EPA’s supplemental proposal strengthens a number of critical pollution safeguards, including by ensuring regular inspections at high-polluting, lower-producing wells, unlocking advanced monitoring technologies and addressing pollution from abandoned wells,” said Peter Zalzal, Associate Vice President for Clean Air Strategies. “The proposal relies on modern, proven technologies and best practices, including zero-emitting solutions, that once strengthened and finalized can deliver enormous climate and public health benefits for millions of people across the country.”

In addition, EPA’s proposal takes steps to reduce routine flaring, though further strengthening is needed to eliminate this wasteful and polluting practice. EPA has also sought comment on questions related to the impacts of the Inflation Reduction Act, which can help to further accelerate methane pollution reductions.  

“The administration is continuing to advance the ball on these crucial standards,” said Jon Goldstein, Senior Director of Regulatory and Legislative Affairs at Environmental Defense Fund. “Cutting methane pollution from the oil and gas industry is one of the most immediate and cost-effective ways to slow the rate of global warming while improving air quality and protecting public health. EPA’s proposal reinforces the United States’ firm commitment to climate action as the world converges in Egypt, and stopping these wasteful emissions can also help meet energy needs during the geopolitical crisis, even as we continue to decarbonize the world’s energy systems. We look forward to further reviewing the details and working with EPA and all stakeholders to make the final rule as strong as possible, especially in the area of curtailing pollution from routine flaring — a substantial source of methane pollution and wasted energy resources.”

The U.S. oil and gas industry emits 16 million metric tons of methane annually, which has the same near-term climate impact as 350 coal-fired power plants. According to analysis from Environmental Defense Fund, reducing waste of natural gas from leaks and flaring could provide over half of the 50 billion cubic meters per year of natural gas that the Biden administration has pledged to our European allies.

Benefiting Communities

The regulations proposed by EPA today build on the agency’s initial proposal, as well as federal standards that were restored by bipartisan majorities in Congress last year with broad backing from industry and the public. 

Communities across the county stand to benefit from strong rules that cut methane emissions, as well as smog-forming VOCs that contribute to ground-level ozone problems and other air toxics released alongside methane. Peer-reviewed research has also found that among those living closest to oil or gas wells, a disproportionate share are people of color.

Military and political leaders agree that curbing emissions of methane  offers an important near-term solution for advancing both climate and energy security goals as we work to decarbonize our economy in the long-term.

Strong standards from EPA will also work in conjunction with the Methane Emissions Reduction Program (MERP) adopted by Congress earlier this year to drive down methane pollution. MERP, which assesses a fee on oil and gas operators that are responsible for excessive methane pollution, provides funding for regulators, communities and companies to mitigate health- and climate-harming pollution from the industry.

High-polluting, lower-producing wells

Today’s proposal addresses emissions from high polluting, lower-producing wells – over 3/4 of which are owned by large companies that operate over 100 wells each and averaged gross revenues of nearly $335 million in 2019.

The latest peer-reviewed research finds that these wells– sometimes called “marginal” – wells drive over 50% of all wellsite methane pollution nationwide, despite producing just 6% of the country’s oil and gas.

The proposal requires regular monitoring at all sites with failure-prone equipment — this is critical for reducing equipment leaks, which are responsible for 63% of production site methane emissions.

The proposed standards also maintain strong requirements to transition toward zero-emitting pneumatics, which are the industry’s second largest source of methane emissions.

Importance of Reducing Flaring Pollution

EPA’s proposal takes steps forward to reducing routine flaring of associated gas and further action must be included as the rules are finalized to reduce this wasteful and polluting practice. A recent study in Science found flaring emits five times more methane than previously thought due to flare malfunctions and inefficiencies. Analysis from Rystad Energy shows solutions to address routine flaring are overwhelmingly cost-effective and commercially available. 

Energy producing states like Colorado and New Mexico have moved to curb emissions from smaller, leak-prone wells and end the polluting practice of routine flaring, demonstrating how workable these commonsense solutions can be. Recent congressional action further underscores the broad support for EPA oil and gas standards and includes funding that will further drive down the cost of cutting methane pollution.

Following today’s proposal, a public comment period will commence which will include public hearings and testimony. The rule is expected to be finalized next year.

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Xplore Health Technologies has launched a first-of-its-kind respiratory muscle training (RMT) device– called Airofit Pro. The product comes in collaboration with Airofit, Denmark. It is the world’s first personal data-driven smart respiratory training system and is priced at Rs 34,990.
Airofit Pro personalises the breathing training experience for users and makes their respiratory muscles stronger, faster, and more efficient.
The device can train both inspiratory and expiratory muscles, which is another unique feature. It works by subjecting the diaphragm and other breathing muscles to resistance training, an exercise involving resistance wheels Providing adjustable but restricted airflow to the individual.

The air purifier not only factors in age, size, gender, and preference, but also takes into account the baseline vital lung capacity and breathing muscle strength of an individual. The device checks Vital Lung capacity every day and tracks various parameters of lung health imProvements every day.
It offers 17 unique breathing sessions and has a real-time live guidance platform that guides a person through all exercises and sessions while tracking its Progress derived from real-time data.
The device also addresses other related aspects of breathing such as respiratory strength, vital capacity, anaerobic threshold, and relaxation.
The air purifier is designed to be used separately from other physical activities.
The company has announced an offer of a 90-day free trial of its premium features, including goal-specific training Programs for newcomers.
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University of Queensland researchers are looking to dog owners for data on protecting pet – and human health – from environmental hazards.

Veterinary pathologist Professor Chiara Palmieri from UQ’s School of Veterinary Science is examining risk factors for canine health in Australia with a focus on chemical exposure, indoor air quality and outdoor air pollution.

Pets can be the proverbial ‘canary in the coalmine’ when it comes to human health risks.

We love our dogs, but sadly they’re often the first to suffer from environmental health hazards in our households.

A classic example is a dog developing mesothelioma after their owner’s house renovations reveal asbestos, or from over-application of certain flea repellents which can contain asbestos-like fibres.

Chemicals like those found in tobacco smoke or garden products also put dogs at risk of common cancers like lymphoma or cancer of the bladder.”

Professor Chiara Palmieri, UQ’s School of Veterinary Science

Professor Palmieri said gathering data on canine exposure to environmental hazards is crucial to understanding the origin of spontaneous cancers.

“We’re working on the principle that if it’s toxic to our pets, it will be toxic to humans as well,” she said.

Professor Palmieri said dogs are a better proxy for human health than many people realise.

“Dogs get cancer at roughly the same rate as humans, or even more,” she said.

“We estimate that a quarter of dogs will develop cancer at some point, increasing to almost 50 per cent of dogs over the age of 10.”

Professor Palmieri said canine cancer rates are rising, and for some of the same reasons as humans.

“Things like longer lifespans, more focus on health indicators, increased use of diagnostic tests and the isolation of specific exposure risks,” she said.

“If we can better understand the chronic exposures that are risky to dogs, we can do a better job of preventing them and decrease the incidence of certain tumours.”

Professor Palmieri’s research team has devised a brief survey for dog owners.

“We’re compiling basic information about a dog’s age, sex, breed, weight and vaccination status, grooming routine and the flea/tick control products used,” she said.

“But we’re also noting the location of the house, whether anyone in the house smokes and if the dog is exposed to herbicides and pesticides.

“It’s important to gather this data so we can better protect our canine companions while protecting ourselves at the same time.”

Source:

The University of Queensland

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Originally Appeared Here

A new report from county health officials notes that indoor air pollution can be especially hazardous to children.

PORTLAND, Ore. — Gas stoves and water heaters pose a serious health hazard, especially to children, according to a new report from Multnomah County health officials, who recommended residents replace their gas appliances with electric alternatives.

Nadège Dubuisson, Environmental Toxics Program Specialist with the county and lead author of the report, said the county analyzed dozens of studies and reports on the use of natural gas appliances in homes and concluded that they should be removed wherever possible.

“Our review of the most recent scientific literature found conclusively that gas stoves are a health hazard — especially for children with growing lungs,” Dubuisson said in a statement. “To protect against pollution-driven respiratory problems, we recommend a transition away from combusting appliances in favor of healthy electric alternatives whenever possible.”

OTHER STORIES: NW Natural customers will see rate increase

Citing research from the Environmental Protection Agency, the report raises concerns over a number of indoor air pollutants that can come from using gas appliances, specifically nitrogen dioxide from stoves. 

“Homes with gas stoves have concentrations of (nitrogen dioxide) that are 50% to over 400% higher than homes with electric stoves,” the report says. “Children living in homes that cook with gas are 42% more likely to experience symptoms associated with asthma, and they are 24% more likely to be diagnosed with lifetime asthma due to (nitrogen dioxide) exposure.”

Asthma is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases in Multnomah County, health officials said, with one in 10 adults suffering from the ailment. Rates of asthma are also higher among low-income residents and people of color, the county said, because they tend to live in places with higher levels of outdoor air pollution and are more likely to use gas stoves to heat their homes.

Reducing natural gas emissions, the primary component of which is methane, is also key to fighting climate change. Though it is much more short-lived than carbon dioxide, methane can be up to 25 times as potent at trapping heat in the atmosphere, according to federal data.

OTHER STORIES: New fossil fuel terminals are now banned in Portland, again

The United States is among the biggest contributors to global methane emissions with most human-caused emissions coming from livestock, landfills and oil and gas systems, according to the EPA.

NW Natural, Multnomah County’s largest supplier of natural gas, said they were frustrated that the county had engaged with the utility before the report was released.

“We were surprised and disappointed to see the Board of County Commissioners agenda item titled, ‘Combustion Appliances Report’ after it was posted with no prior outreach from staff,” Kathryn Williams, vice president of public affairs and sustainability, wrote.

Williams said these kinds of reports are often based on “questionable research that relies on skewed datasets” and many fail to consider the role of proper ventilation, which Oregon building codes require in new homes.

“No study we are aware of has found health effects associated with the use of gas stoves under proper ventilation conditions,” Williams wrote.

Williams stressed that the utility would like to be involved in the county’s efforts to electrify home appliances, but so far has not been given the chance.

“We are eager to learn more details about the County’s efforts related to gas appliances, but thus far we have not been allowed to engage,” she wrote. “This exclusion is emblematic of a broken process.”

Still, Multnomah County Chair Deborah Kafoury said the evidence was compelling.

“When we see evidence that the methane gas we use to cook in our homes is harmful to our health, we need to find ways to curb the risk it poses,” she said in a statement. “In the long run, shrinking our dependence on fossil fuels remains the most effective way to protect our air quality, while also mitigating the climate impacts that put our communities at risk today.”

County officials pointed to incentives that will kick in next year, provided under the Inflation Reduction Act, that could provide substantial assistance to people looking to switch from gas appliances to electric.

“In the long run, shrinking our dependence on fossil fuels remains the most effective way to protect our air quality, while also mitigating the climate impacts that put our communities at risk today,” Kafoury said.

WATCH: Climate change playlist

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Originally Appeared Here

BEVERLY — Varian officials on Wednesday continued to assert that there is “no significant risk” to people from contamination at its former property at 150 Sohier Road. But residents continued to push the company to finally complete a cleanup that has been going on for more than 30 years.

“After a few decades of assessment it’s now time to clean it up,” Jan Schlichtmann, an environmental lawyer from Beverly, said at a meeting at Shore Country Day School. “There’s a frustration in the community about how can we focus our energy so we can clean up the site as a source.”

About 40 people attended a presentation by Varian about the company’s revised assessment of where the underground contamination is located and what risk it presents to nearby homes and businesses and to workers at the site. Toxic chemicals continue to be present in the soil and groundwater on the property, raising concerns about the chemicals migrating to the neighborhood and getting into homes.

Varian officials said indoor air testing of more than 45 homes and several businesses has shown “no significant risk” to people, although they did say that further testing is needed at one home and one commercial property. They also said the safety of workers at the property, which is the home of Communications & Power Industries, is dependent on “soil vapor extraction” systems in two of the buildings.

But Schlichtmann and groundwater consultant David Lang of Beverly, who have been assisting neighbors on the issue, both expressed concern about contamination in a stream that runs from Varian into the neighborhood and through the Shore Country Day School property.

Varian officials said a risk assessment showed that the stream presents no danger to children who play in it. But Schlichtmann said, “I certainly wouldn’t want my child or anyone else’s child to be playing in the area. I don’t want to minimize this.”

“We have to acknowledge that we’re dealing with a site on a hill and a neighborhood in a valley,” Schlichtmann added. “And there is a plume of contamination that has been documented that does release into the community.”

Andy Whitman, a senior vice president for Varian, acknowledged the frustration.

“I’d love to wave a magic want and have it disappear,” he said. “No one would want to move it quicker than the company.”

Varian has been attempting to clean the site of hazardous chemicals since 1992. Last February, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection ruled that the company’s cleanup was not complying with state regulations and ordered it to come up with a new plan or face fines. First, the company had to redo an assessment of the site that it first did 22 years ago.

The company said it will submit a report on Dec. 7 evaluating possible cleanup methods, and will hold another public meeting in January.

Varian sold the property in 1995 but is still responsible for the cleanup. Whitman said the company, which is now California-based Varian Medical Systems, is committed to cleaning up the site.

“We are a company that takes care of patients for a living,” he said. “That’s in our DNA. That’s what we do.”

Staff Writer Paul Leighton can be reached at 978-338-2535, by email at [email protected], or on Twitter at @heardinbeverly.

Staff Writer Paul Leighton can be reached at 978-338-2535, by email at [email protected], or on Twitter at @heardinbeverly.

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Originally Appeared Here

Organization Name: Samaritan Daytop Village

Project Title: Wakefield Apartments – Building 1

Project Location: Wakefield, Bronx

Project Description:
Part of a two-building, 126-unit sustainable retrofit in the Bronx, Wakefield Apartments Building 1 will offer 54 fully renovated units with community facility space and retail. The new law tenement will see dramatic changes with the addition of an elevator, new, accessible entry courtyard, and a corridor connecting the two wings of the building. This will create a much better circulation and bring natural light into the hallway through a fully glazed window wall.

While both buildings in this development will see a variety of carbon reduction measures including a conversion from gas cooking to electric, Building 1 will participate in the HPD-NYSERDA Retrofit Electrification Pilot, making possible the replacement of the fossil fuel heating system with highly efficient electric heat pumps that provide both heating and cooling. Other upgrades (in both buildings) include kitchen and bath renovations, improved apartment layouts and accessibility, new finishes, new, efficient windows, and increased roof insulation.

Community Impact:
Building 1’s enhanced energy performance, near elimination of on-site fossil fuel usage through the electrification of heating (and cooling) systems and conversion of gas stoves to electric, as well as upgrades to exhaust and ventilation will yield a substantial reduction in operational carbon as well as improved indoor air quality. This will make the apartments and the building in general much more comfortable throughout the year, including the hottest summer days, ensuring a healthier living environment.

Removing the entry stairs and lowering the courtyard to the sidewalk level, adding an elevator and corridor to each floor will make the building fully accessible and vastly improve circulation, while a reconfigured ground floor allows for more and better-quality social service and community program spaces.

Organization Description:
Samaritan Daytop Village (SDV) is dedicated to improving the quality of life for New Yorkers facing adversity. SDV offers a rich array of programs including transitional housing, permanent supportive housing, substance use treatment, outpatient mental health treatment, specialized programs for veterans, integrated medical services, vocational and employment services, psychiatric services, medication assisted treatment, recovery coaching, evidence-based practices, and care coordination to over 33,000 people a year across NYC, Long Island, and upstate NY.

Team Members:

Magnusson Architecture & Planning (MAP); Samaritan Daytop Village (SDV); Procida Construction Corp.; LiRo Engineers; CORE Consultants NYC

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Originally Appeared Here

FRUITPORT — Three incumbents retained their seats on the Fruitport Community Schools Board of Education.

David Hazekamp took the lead with 33 percent of the vote. Steve Kelly was second with 25 percent and J.B. Meeuwenberg took 22 percent. 

The lone challenger, Stan Piotrowski, lost out with 18 percent of the vote. 

Hazekamp, 64, is a business owner, a 1976 Fruitport High School graduate and lifelong resident of the community. He has served on the school board for 21 years.

“We’ve got a really good team at Fruitport right now and it really makes working through some of the things we work through much easier,” Hazekamp said Wednesday after being re-elected. “We certainly don’t always agree, but when you’ve got a good team, you look forward to it.”

Hazekamp said he’s looking forward to working on the school district’s current and upcoming projects. 

“One of the things we told the voters we would do (was) air purification in all the buildings,” he said, adding that there’s also a “renovation on the prior pool area” of the Fruitport Middle School. “It’s going to be one of our more challenging projects that we’ve done. I’d like to see that through and make sure that’s done the way we want it done.”

Meeuwenberg, 45, is a mathematics professor at Muskegon Community College and a resident of Fruitport since 2009. He has served on the school board for one year after being appointed to fill an open seat.

“I see the challenges facing Fruitport as like those of many other schools,” Meeuwenberg told the Tribune last month. “Enrollment is something districts are always focused on because it is linked to state funding. Therefore, it is essential that we create exceptional educational experiences for our students and keep all members of families engaged in those experiences.”

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Originally Appeared Here