Lung group issues air-quality grades
The American Lung Association gave several Arkansas counties a passing grade in its annual State of the Air report for 2017.
Nationally, the association found improvements in air quality but an increase in short-term spikes of particle pollution.
The association uses federal air-monitoring data on ground-level ozone and particle pollution from 2013 through 2015 in fewer than a dozen counties to grade individual counties.
In the six counties graded for ground-level ozone, Newton, Polk and Washington counties got A grades for having no high ozone days during that time period. Clark and Crittenden counties received B grades for having only one high ozone day, and Pulaski County received a C for having four.
In the nine counties graded for particle pollution, Ashley, Arkansas, Garland, Jackson, Polk, Union and Washington counties were given A's for having no days of high particulate matter concentration.
Crittenden and Pulaski counties received B's for having one "Orange Day" each. "Orange" is the lowest classification of an unhealthy particulate matter day.
Particulate matter can increase the risk of heart disease, lung cancer and asthma attacks and can interfere with the growth and work of the lungs, according to the American Lung Association.
Exposure to ground-level ozone can intensify allergies or respiratory problems for people who already have them. High levels of ozone can create respiratory problems for anyone who goes outside.
The American Lung Association also ranked Northwest Arkansas in the top 40 cleanest cities for ozone and short-term particle pollution.
Workshop to focus on pollution, waste
The Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality will co-sponsor a two-day workshop for businesses on preventing pollution while employing lean business practices.
The other sponsor is the University of Texas at Arlington's Division for Enterprise Development and its Zero Waste Network, according to a department news release. Zero Waste Network founder Thomas Vinson will speak at the workshop.
The workshop will cost $125 per person and run from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 23-24 at the Butler Center for Arkansas Studies in Little Rock.
Registration information is available at zerowastenetwork.org/workshops/.
Meeting canceleddue to light agenda
The Arkansas Pollution Control and Ecology Commission canceled its April meeting -- scheduled for last Friday -- because of a lack of agenda items, according to a commission announcement.
The only matter up for a vote was on a candidate for the wastewater licensing committee, which officials decided could be handled at this month's meeting.
The commission has canceled numerous meetings for the same reason, including as recently as February.
The commission's next scheduled meeting is May 25.
Comments sought on forest proposal
Interested parties have until the beginning of June to object to the Poteau-Cold Springs Ranger District's environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact for a project in the Ouachita National Forest.
The West Walker Ecosystem Management Unit project will take place across 5,889.1 acres of the forest and 3,942.8 acres of private land in Scott County, according to the environmental assessment. It will consist of timber harvesting, road improvements, prescribed burning, regeneration of trees and the construction of ponds and other resources for wildlife.
The project, first developed last year, is designed to enhance the presence of shortleaf pine and hardwood trees and reduce overstocking of trees that compete for limited ground and water resources, according to the assessment.
The Poteau-Cold Springs Ranger District concluded that the proposed action would have no significant environmental impact that should prohibit it.
Interested people can access information on the project at www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=49713.
Metro on 05/02/2017