Session Speakers
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Every Breath You Take: Health & Air
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This session addressed health effects and air quality
associated with air pollution. Dr. Gerald Teague spoke about ozone exposure
and asthma, particularly during summer. He noted that because the use
of MARTA increased dramatically during the 1996 summer Olympic Games a remarkable
improvement in Atlanta’s air quality was observed leading to a
subsequent
city-wide reduction in asthma morbidity. Dr. Rodney Weber stressed the
need for aerosol chemistry to study particulate matter, its sources
and its health effects. In addition he described other types of aerosols
and the differences in pollutant concentrations when one is in close proximity
to highways. Dr. Fernando Holguin presented a study that looked at the
health effects associated with traffic related emissions among asthmatic
children in Ciudad Juarez. Finally Dr. Roby Greenwald described the
oxidizing effects of inhaled particles.
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W. Gerald Teague
Emory University School of Medicine
(2.5mb)
(0.3mb)
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Rodney Weber
Georgia Tech
(4.9mb)
(0.6mb)
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Fernando Holguin
Emory University School of Medicine
(4.6mb)
(1.3mb)
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Roby Greenwald
Emory University School of Medicine
Web Link
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Prescribed Forest Burning in Georgia: Air Quality Impacts
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The session illustrated connections
and conflicts between the Endangered
Species Act and the Clean Air Act, and the benefits of prescribed
burning for both. Many habitats require fire to remain healthy. However, human instinct is to suppress fire in order to
reduce property damage. Ernie Wiggers described the whys and how of
managing an ecosystem with fire. Bob Larimore demonstrated how an
increase in controlled burning decreases wildfires and explained how burning supports
the military mission while improving air quality. Dr. Karsten Baumann supported Mr. Larimore’s claims with scientific evidence
based on field and laboratory studies at military installations employing prescribed
burning and laboratory work. Gary Achtemier described the nature and
behavior of smoke plumes and the importance of modeling smoke direction
before setting a fire. Dr. Luke Naeher discussed firefighter and community
exposure and health issues relating to woodsmoke and controlled burning.
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Ernie Wiggers
Nemours Wildlife Foundation
(19.3mb)
(3.7mb)
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Gary L. Achtemeier
USDA-Forest Service Forestry Sciences Laboratory
(16.9mb)
(0.6mb)
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Bob Larimore
Fort Benning
(34.8mb)
(4.0mb)
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Luke P. Naeher
The University of Georgia
(90.2mb)
(1.7mb)
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Karsten Baumann
Research Triangle Institute
(2.5mb)
(2.1mb)
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Polly Gustafson
Fort Benning
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Climate: What's at Stake?
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The session addressed various issues
affecting our climate. Dr. Peter Webster spoke of the possible links
between global warming and hurricane intensities and stated that the
destructive Gulf storms recently seen may become more the norm for the
Gulf and Southeastern states. Steve McNulty described the range of impacts
of climate change on Georgia's natural resources. Studies have shown
that atmospheric carbon dioxide is increasing due to human emissions
of fossil fuel and land clearing and that the likely impacts on Georgia's
forests include: increased air temperatures, increased population and
increased fire fuel loads. Dr. Athanasios Nenes spoke about how humans
affect clouds and the hydrological cycle by changing the concentration
of Cloud Condensation Nuclei (CCN) in the atmosphere, a phenomenon known
as the “indirect climatic effect of aerosols”.
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Peter Webster
Georgia Tech
(12.9 mb)
(4.7 mb)
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Athanasios Nenes
Georgia Tech
(2.8mb)
(0.8mb)
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Steve McNulty
USDA-Forest Service Southern Global Change Program
(3mb)
(1.3mb)
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Health, Environmental Equity and Policy to the People
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Natalie Pawelski moderated this session
pertaining to health, environmental equity and policy. Dr. John Hall
proposed a study to characterize the effects of transient air
pollutants on the health of African-Americans in Atlanta, Ga. Felicia Davis
spoke about a campaign to educate people about the link between air quality
and health, and how to reduce exposure to air pollution
through individual actions. Francesca Lopez described a program using
Community-Based Participatory Research to unite African American communities
with historically black colleges and universities
to create solutions to health problems associated with racial and
cultural disparities. Luz Borrero discussed
global warming in the context of public understanding, local challenges
& opportunities, government response, and the city of Atlanta’s efforts. David Muller concluded this session by describing climate change
and the policy response from the UK.
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John Hall
Morehouse College
(0.5mb)
(0.3mb)
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Francesca Lopez
Morehouse College
(0.9mb)
(1.5mb)
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Felicia Davis
Mothers and Others for Clean Air
(3.6mb)
(1.2mb)
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Luz Borrero
City of Atlanta
(0.1mb)
(0.1mb)
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David Muller
British Consulate-General
(1mb)
(0.3mb)
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Ozone, PM, Toxics, and Mercury... Oh My!
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The session addressed the control of
ozone, particulate matter, air toxics and mercury in Georgia.
Jim Kelly spoke about how the Georgia Environmental Protection Division
is developing attainment strategies for ozone and PM, and Amit Marmur
spoke specifically about air quality modeling and health benefits analyses
to support that process. Ken Mitchell of U.S. EPA overviewed the
importance of air toxics, and Dan Cohan discussed Georgia EPD's development
of a mercury emissions rule.
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James Kelly
GA Environmental Protection Division
(0.9mb)
(0.4mb)
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Kenneth Mitchell
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 4
(1.2mb)
(0.8mb)
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Amit Marmur
GA Environmental Protection Division
(1.1mb)
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Daniel Cohan
GA Environmental Protection Division
(4.1mb)
(1.6mb)
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Environmental Challenges in Infrastructure Planning
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Mike Wilder provided an overview of
the environmental challenges in electric supply planning facing
Georgia Power. Jeff Burleson then presented on the economic and technical evaluations of various methods
for generating electric energy. Steve Ewald followed with an assessment
of the environmental aspects of each energy production method. Mr.
Burleson then concluded Georgia Power's presentation with a look at
the company's plan for the future. In the second half of the
session, Phil Peevy described GDOT's challenges, planning processes
and future short-term and long-term projects.
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Mike Wilder, Jeff Burleson, Steve Ewald
Georgia Power Company
(4.7mb)
(1.5mb)
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Phil Peevy
GA Department of Transportation
(0.9mb)
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Hanging Out with Supermodels: Linking Economy, Climate, Health &
Air Quality
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Dr. Ted Russell moderated this session
on models and “supermodels” (i.e. complex, integrated models). Incorporating air quality modeling with
policy development and combining this with a cost-benefit analysis,
Dr. Boylan explained an integrated approach to air quality attainment
using meteorology, emissions, and an air quality model (CMAQ).
Dr. Boylan also elaborated on the modeling of health benefits particularly
using the BenMAP model as he described potential pollution control
measures. Dr. Doug Noonan presented on the intricacies of modeling from
the perspective of an economist and policy analyst. He noted that
much of the information
and knowledge of the world takes the form of estimates and
that linking the physical and social systems is crucial. Dr. Randy
Guensler discussed the linkages between transportation and air
quality models.
Dr. Odman concluded this session with a presentation about air quality
forecasting using his group’s own modeling system that incorporates
meteorology, emissions, chemistry and transport.
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Ted Russell
Georgia Tech
(3mb)
(0.3mb)
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Talat Odman
Georgia Tech
(0.3mb)
(0.3mb)
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Jim Boylan
GA Environmental Protection Division
(3.1mb)
(1.8mb)
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Doug Noonan
Georgia Tech
(0.5mb)
(0.2mb)
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Randy Guensler
Georgia Tech
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No More Speaking in Tongues: Communicating with the public
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Moderated by Candace McCaffrey, the panel addressed air quality in
the public arena – how to best tell the story, the role of the mass
media, the challenges in communicating this public health issue, and
how to overcome these challenges. Laura Huckabee and Stacy Shelton discussed
the role of mass communications and what makes a good news story. They
noted several needs for media coverage: the ability to provide a human
connection that others can relate to; the relationship of local developments
with national trends; and tying the story to a larger study or time
of year to give it current news value. Stacy Shelton noted that with
the print medium, she can go into more detail and convey more complex
information to the readers. Dr. Teague addressed the emerging knowledge
as it relates to the effects of ground-level ozone and particle pollution
on humans. He emphasized that the medical community is learning that
the effects are worse, at lower levels, than known even a few years
ago, and that federal regulations have yet to catch up with these facts.
Michael Halicki informed the audience on the role of The Clean Air Campaign
in raising awareness about air pollution. While air quality improvement
is the ultimate goal of the non-profit Clean Air Campaign, the organization
gets people’s attention by focusing first on traffic, as research has
shown traffic congestion relief is the motivator that gets the largest
percentage of people’s attention.
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Michael Halicki
Clean Air Campaign
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Stacy Shelton
Atlanta Journal Constitution
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Candace McCaffrey
Cookerly Public Relations
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Laura Huckabee
WGCL-TV
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W. Gerald Teague
Emory University School of Medicine
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Marketing our Air: Using Economic vs. Administrative Systems to
Control Air Pollution
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Attorneys Gary Sheehan and Beth Allgood
contrasted the economic versus administrative approaches for controlling air pollution.
Beth Allgood described the many facets of the current Clean Air Act (CAA) and
future policies that are likely to be more market based. Gary
Sheehan spoke about the evolution of emissions trading, specifically
through the Acid Rain Program. He explained the flexibility of compliance
inherent in these types of programs and noted that market based programs
such as these often spur technological improvements. Mr. Sheehan
also explained
the next generation of trading programs, including the Clean Air Interstate
Rule (CAIR) and the Clean Air Mercury Rule.
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Gary Sheehan
Troutman Sanders
(0.2mb)
(0.1mb)
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Beth Allgood
Southern Environmental Law Center
(6.4mb)
(0.8mb)
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I Fuel Good!!!!! Addressing Air Quality with Cleaner Fuels and Advanced
Technologies
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Charise Stephens
moderated a spirited panel discussion on the development and use of
alternative fuels. Panelists Randy Parker and Roger Reisert focused
on the viability and economics of biofuels or fuels derived from
biomass such as ethanol and biodiesel. Randy Queen was on hand to
discuss vehicle options as they pertain to natural gas, biodiesel
and ethanol. Mike Mead and Andrea Hicks discussed opportunities for
alternative fuels at military facilities, while Ed White provided a
broad overview of opportunities.
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Charise Stephens
Middle Georgia Clean Cities Coalition
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Mike Mead
Robins Air Force Base
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Randy Parker
Biomass Energy Services
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Roger Reisert
C2 Biofuels
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Ed White
Alternative Fuel Solutions
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Randy Queen
General Motors
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Andrea Hicks
Fort Benning
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Air Quality, Health & the Built Environment: The Potential of Thoughtful
Planning
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This session was moderated by Tracy
Clymer of the Atlanta
Regional Commission. Dr. Richard Bright opened the panel by outlining concerns associated with localized air pollution impacts resulting
from transportation and land use projects in low income and minority
communities. Dr. Andrew Dannenberg followed with a presentation on
"Health Impact Assessment" as a tool to
help define the impact of the built environment on the health of a community
and as a potential resource for planning agencies to quantify the impact
of healthier, sustainable development strategies. The panel
closed with a presentation by Scott Ball describing the specific
community design strategies that must be supported in the planning
process, and how a "Health Impact Assessment" was used in Atlanta.
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Tracy Clymer
Atlanta Regional Commission
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Richard S. Bright
Morehouse School of Medicine
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Andrew L. Dannenberg
Division of Emergency and Environmental Health Services in the National
Center for Environmental Health (NCEH) at the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention
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Scott Ball
Association for Community Design
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Real Audio