Greenversations

New Bedford Harbor, MA

I don’t know about you, but the state of my environment is constantly on my mind. I’ve been told I was born with the condition. While this photo endeavor isn’t the only project I work on, it sure seems to hold relevance everywhere I turn.

Just recently, I’ve been working a few days a week out of a construction trailer alongside one of our country’s largest Superfund cleanup sites. As a community involvement coordinator for this project, I saw potential for holding walk-in office hours to answer questions and help community members learn a little more about what we’ve been doing here since 1983. Indeed, you read the year correctly.

Short of giving out free doughnuts, I’m not sure how to draw in the crowds. We’ve sent out e-mails, tweets, a news release, and left flyers for the 400+ employees at the new grocery store across the street (you wouldn’t have to throw a rock to hit it).

Buying a coffee there, I asked one of the girls behind the counter who looked to be about my age, if she knew about the cleanup activity across the way and if she knew it had to do with the harbor at the end of the parking lot.

Perplexed she replied, “Oh, not really, is THAT why all those people in the yellow vests are always coming and going?”

“Yes! Exactly!” I replied and proceeded to try and explain a little bit, but then I realized I was holding up the line.

I left some flyers hoping some might drop in after a shift, after which one of the store managers told me: “thanks for the effort, I doubt many will be taken though, mostly kids” with a sympathetic look.

Walking back across the street, listening to our equipment pumping away, I picked up yet another plastic bag tumble weeding out of the parking lot (as new a development as the market) and couldn’t help but think of the irony of it all.

At least I can say we’re doing our best to be transparent and accountable to the work we’re doing. All to give a clean harbor back to the four communities that surround it, but who is going to keep it clean when we’re done?

Jeanethe Falvey, State of the Environment project lead in EPA’s Office of External Affairs and Environmental Education

Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed in Greenversations are those of the author. They do not reflect EPA policy, endorsement, or action, and EPA does not verify the accuracy or science of the contents of the blog.

By Molly Hooven

Summer heat is here, the air quality is diminishing and the asthma triggers are beginning to strike my family and possibly yours as well. Asthma can play a big role in your life but it’s important to remember that it should never slow you down.

I remember, as a young girl, when the ambulance came to my house and my uncle had to be given oxygen because he had a severe asthma attack. My uncle is my role model and he has asthma. What many people may not realize is that many of their role models have asthma too!
Did you know that Redskins player Chris Draft, first daughter Malia Obama and nearly 7 million children across the U.S. have asthma? You can still accomplish great things while managing asthma!

One of my greatest accomplishments is being able to manage my asthma and still play volleyball. On one hot July day I competed in an outdoor match when there was barely enough good air to breathe just standing on the sidelines. My competitive nature led me to overlook the Air Quality Index and soon the surrounding area started to blur.

Panic rose upon my face and tears began to spill as my throat was quickly closing and it felt like trying to breathe through a straw.
While I didn’t avoid the unhealthy air, which is a known asthma trigger, I did have a plan. Quickly I used my inhaler, sat in the shade, and rehydrated. People are going to have asthma attacks; the key is to have a plan!

Part of your plan should be to understand and recognize what your triggers are. Particulates (soot) and ozone (smog) are outdoor asthma triggers I faced in my game but there are also indoor triggers such as dust mites, molds, cockroaches and second hand smoke.

The main asthma trigger at my house is actually part of our family — our yellow lab. Since we can’t get rid of her pet dander, which is another asthma trigger, we take alternative actions such as not allowing her in bedrooms and brushing excess hair outside.

Those with and without an asthma condition need to understand potential triggers during the summer, develop a plan if faced with an attack, and realize that you’re not alone. If James Monk, Jerome Bettis, my uncle and I can succeed with an inhaler by our side—so can you!

About the author: Molly Hooven joined the EPA in November 2010 as a SCEP intern. She recently earned her M.B.A. from Mount St. Mary’s University and has an undergraduate degree in Communications.

Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed in Greenversations are those of the author. They do not reflect EPA policy, endorsement, or action, and EPA does not verify the accuracy or science of the contents of the blog.

Each week we write about the science behind environmental protection. Previous Science Wednesdays.

By Lyndee Collins

What’s that saying? April showers bring… innovation? It’s no surprise rain decided to make its presence this past weekend during EPA’s Earth Day festivities on the National Mall. However, the gloomy weather didn’t stop the 55 student teams from competing in the EPA’s annual People, Prosperity, and Planet (P3) Award competition. The student teams presented sustainable solutions to environmental problems in hope to be one of six winning teams to receive an additional $75,000 to further their designs.

While working the event, I was able to meet the student teams and hear about their exciting research. I was amazed at the enthusiasm and dedication from each presentation. Because every project seemed to be perfect, I sympathized with the panel of national experts who were to decide the six winning teams. The anticipated results were announced Sunday evening.

One of the winning teams was from Drexel University. The students set out to develop a solution to the current problems in the green roofing industry. The team designed a roof system using a combination of lightweight materials that can grow and sustain roof vegetation while reducing the heat island effect and harmful water runoff. Their presentation was truly amazing. Having no science background, I was able to understand the technical language and could appreciate the hard work the team put into their design.

Other winners included students from the University of Illinois who devoted their project to help the residents at the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, the poorest reservation in the country. The team developed an inexpensive technology based on bone char to remove arsenic and uranium from the groundwater used by the residents who would otherwise be unable to afford clean, safe drinking water. The presentation was very touching and it was clear that the team was dedicated to help the Pine Ridge community.

Not only was I blown away by the quality of the presentations but I gained a sense of pride knowing that my generation was making a difference for our future. Despite the rain on Saturday, It’s clear to me that these student teams shine regardless of the weather.

To learn more about P3 and the winners please visit: http://www.epa.gov/p3/2011winners

About the Author: Lyndee Collins is an undergraduate intern from Indiana University currently working with the science communication team in EPA’s Office of Research and Development.

Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed in Greenversations are those of the author. They do not reflect EPA policy, endorsement, or action, and EPA does not verify the accuracy or science of the contents of the blog.

Each week we write about the science behind environmental protection. Previous Science Wednesdays.

By Lyndee Collins

In honor of Women’s History Month, I felt it was appropriate to honor a woman who is a distinguished innovator and inspiration to students like me. Last Monday, I had the honor to speak with Amy Mueller, co-founder of STG International and 2008 EPA People, Prosperity, and the Planet (P3) Award winner, where we discussed her recent achievements, her P3 experience, and her life as a young scientist and entrepreneur.

In the 2008 P3 competition, Mueller and her team introduced the Solar Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC), a system combining mirrored solar panels and an engine that converts the collected heat to electricity. The system is both affordable and a sustainable alternative to the common diesel generator. The design requires only readily-available, low-cost parts, such as those used in the air conditioning industry, making it ideal for encouraging development in difficult economies.

Though Ms Mueller and her team from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) continue to refine their design, their idea has already changed. Since 2006, Ms Mueller and her team have installed and tested several generations of prototype systems across Lesotho, Africa, where they have trained local partners in the design and construction of their system. Their most recent prototype, installed at a clinic in the Berea district, provides larger quantities of electricity and water to meet the needs of the medical staff as they serve 50-80 patients per day.

Ms. Mueller loves that her education has provided her the opportunity to help others. She views science and engineering as powerful tools for making a difference in the world. Her advice for young women interested in science is to be interdisciplinary – learn about multiple fields of science to help you work better in a team on big projects – and try to find an inspiring mentor who can give you support and advice.

After speaking with Ms Mueller, I am particularly looking forward to this year’s P3 competition, April 15 – 17 on the National Mall. The event will take place during the EPA Earth Day celebration, where 55 new teams will compete for P3 Awards just as Amy did three years ago. The public is invited to engage the student teams, hear about their exciting research, and meet the latest generation of women out to change the world.

About the Author: Lyndee Collins is an undergraduate intern from Indiana University currently working with the science communication team in EPA’s Office of Research and Development.

Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed in Greenversations are those of the author. They do not reflect EPA policy, endorsement, or action, and EPA does not verify the accuracy or science of the contents of the blog.

By Lina Younes and Joanne Oxley

Joanne: I have always been a storyteller, much to my parents chagrin, and for the past 17 years I have been telling EPA’s story. This year, when we began to talk about ways to commemorate the 40th anniversary of EPA, my first thought was that we needed to provide a broader opportunity for EPA’s employees to tell their stories, and thus was born, the “Voices of EPA” project.

Lina: During the course of these 75-plus interviews, Joanne and I spoke with numerous colleagues from diverse backgrounds and expertise: scientists, lawyers, policy-makers, economists, enforcement agents, public affairs specialists, you name it, we interviewed them.

Joanne: It has been a true pleasure to be a part of capturing the stories from both Headquarters and our Regional Offices. There were several instances when I found myself choking up when I listened to the reasons why employees came to EPA, and why they have stayed. All spoke with passion about their dedication to the Agency’s mission to protect public health and the environment.

Lina: During the interviews I was struck by some of the common themes, such as:

• Whether they were here at the very beginning or they just joined the agency this year—they all love their job.
• They believe they are making a difference.
• They share an enthusiasm that they are working for a greater good.
• In the early years, the average age of the agency’s leadership was the early 30’s.
• Many EPA workers started as interns or straight out of graduate school.
• Science is at the root of the Agency’s decision-making process. Scientists and regulators work hand in hand.
• Teamwork is an integral part of working at EPA.
• Innovation and creativity are valued at EPA.

Joanne: When I reflect back on my own experience here at EPA and my legacy, one of my proudest accomplishments will have been part of this project where we have been able to share just some of the names and faces of EPA employees who work with dedication and pride to serve the American public.

Lina and Joanne: We plan to link to the compilation videos soon. So as we move on to the next 40 years, we would like to thank our colleagues for a job well done. Happy birthday, EPA, and may you celebrate many more.

About the authors: Lina Younes has been working for EPA since 2002 and chairs EPA’s Multilingual Communications Task Force. Prior to joining EPA, she was the Washington bureau chief for two Puerto Rican newspapers and she has worked for several government agencies.

Joanne Oxley is the Communication Manager for EPA’s Office of Administration and Resources Management. She has been with the Agency for the past 16 years where she has provided a wide variety of communications support for both external and internal audiences, receiving numerous Gold and Silver medals for her work. She has a Masters Degree in Public Administration from the University of Maryland.

Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed in Greenversations are those of the author. They do not reflect EPA policy, endorsement, or action, and EPA does not verify the accuracy or science of the contents of the blog.

I’ve written a few times over the 18 months about our home renovation and how we went as green as we could afford. The last time, I was sitting in my dining room during our crazy-snowy winter.

Almost six months later, we’ve just gone through one of the worst heat waves I can remember. And that led to a massive thunderstorm cell that did quite a bit of damage to the DC area. It hit us about 3:30 on Sunday. We were sort of on the southern edge of it, but looking to the north was impressive and ominous.

Just before the skies opened, our power went out. Not that big a deal at the time – we just sat on the porch and watched the storm roar along. But when it didn’t come back on, I started worrying about our fridge and our AC. I get hot very easily.

As the hours wore on, though, I was again reminded of the benefits of our approach to insulation. Since we had the walls off while renovating, we blew in foam to air seal the house, then put fiberglass on top. We also put in double-paned windows with special coatings to reduce direct heating from the sun (I really appreciated the info I got on the Energy Star Web site about all of this). Our porch also keeps the sun off the ground floor windows in the front.

The result? The house doesn’t heat up or cool down very quickly. So although we had no AC during high temperatures, we were pretty comfortable inside. As for the fridge, we just kept the door shut (unlike during Hurricane Isabel, when we ran a very long extension cord across the street to our neighbors’ outdoor outlet).

Have you made any green building choices that later made themselves felt?

If you’re thinking about renovating, check out EPA’s info on green building!

About the author: Jeffrey Levy is EPA’s Director of Web Communications.

Each week we write about the science behind environmental protection. Previous Science Wednesdays.

For the past eight weeks I’ve had the privilege of being involved in a small slice of EPA’s coordinated response to the tragedy of the BP oil spill. Spending time in the Public Information Officers (PIO) room of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) here in Washington DC, has only furthered my resolve that this is an Agency where people truly live the mission of protecting public health and the environment. Part of that dedication is a commitment to sharing the information and environmental data we have on the EPA’s BP spill website.

Since oil began pouring into the Gulf of Mexico, EPA has collected thousands of samples for chemicals related to oil and dispersants in the air, water and sediment. Jeffrey Levy’s blog post last week mentioned how the principles of open government and transparency govern our actions here as we post the EPA’s  air, water, and sediment sampling and air monitoring data as quickly as possible.

On the website, we’ve focused on providing data as well as presenting EPA’s interpretation of it. Up until now, one way we’ve been providing the data is in chunks in .CSV files (a generic file that any spreadsheet program can read) or in a PDF spreadsheet – that’s pretty good but we can do better. So we’re pretty excited to be offering a few new tools that offer increased flexibility and options for people to access the data. Last week, Jeffrey mentioned Socrata and Google Earth, and today we’re announcing a new tool that gives you the ability to download data based upon criteria you select. You can download data based upon the date range you wish, whether you want to see air monitoring data or data from sampling efforts (from which you can select: air, sediment, surface water, waste or oil sample results from mousse, oily debris, tar, and weathered oil) and for all the states in which we’re gathering data (Alabama, Florida, Louisiana or Mississippi) or just one of these states.

This is the first version and we’ll be adding features to the data download tool, such as searching by chemical, chemical category or searching by county in the coming weeks. We will be phasing out posting of the spreadsheets, but we believe that putting you in the driver’s seat for how to sort and organize the data is a better way to share this data. We welcome your ideas for future versions and encourage you to visit the sampling and monitoring data download tool, try it out and share your feedback on ways we can improve the sampling and monitoring data download tool. We’ll work to incorporate as many of the suggestions as we can – so we’re hoping to see an active and constructive discussion in the comment section below so we can improve this tool together.

About the author: When not serving in the Emergency Operations Center, Melissa Anley-Mills is the news director for EPA’s Office of Research and Development. She joined the Agency in 1998 as a National Urban Fellow.

As part of our response to the ongoing BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, we’ve been analyzing environmental conditions, including air, water, sediment, and oily wastes.  Right from the beginning, we’ve followed our open government approach, which means providing the data as soon as we have it.  We’ve posted data in CSV files, a format that people could download and open in a spreadsheet.  We’ve also provided printable PDF tables and summaries on our BP spill site.

But we knew that people needed other ways to get the data, and we’ve been working on several options.  We launched Google Earth a few weeks ago, and today we launched Socrata.  I discuss each below.  And more is coming.

Socrata

Our Socrata site (third-party site disclaimer) gives you several ways to explore data from the Gulf (basic instructions).  First, you can do some analysis right in your Web browser:

• View results in an online, interactive table that works in any browser
• Search for specific information
• Sort and filter the data (for example, show only the water samples where we’ve detected pollutants)

You can also download the data in several formats.  Beyond the CSV and PDF formats we currently provide, you can get JSON, XML and XLS.  And for the first time, you can build your own database tools using an API (application programming interface), meaning you’ll always have access to the latest data without having to download files.

You can also embed the data on your own site or blog because each dataset and each view has its own permanent URL. Just click the “Publishing” tab at the bottom of the screen to get the form, select the dimensions, and copy the code.  For example, I’ve embedded the air sampling data table below:

If you create a free Socrata account, you can save your own analyses and link to or embed those.  Your analyses will always show the most recent data.  Other people can see what you’ve done, too.

We’ll continue to provide the data for download on our own Web site, but Socrata offers several additional opportunities.

Google Earth

Google Earth (third-party site disclaimer) lets you explore a virtual globe.  After a free download (it doesn’t run in a Web browser), you can get additional data files that map information about a wide variety of topics.  We’ve created a file you can download that includes some of our data and related information from other sources:

• Sampling locations
• Air monitoring locations and results for total volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and particulate matter (PM).
• Links to EPA data, aerial photography and other information collected by our ASPECT air sampling plane, plus NASA, NOAA and the European Space Agency.
• National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (NGA) map of boom locations and daily tracking updates of the oil spill

And we’re working to add even more data.

Here’s a screen shot:

We need your help!

I’m excited to share these tools, but we can always improve them.  In the comments section of this post, please give us your suggestions.  Some examples:

• Filtered views to provide beyond just what we’ve detected
• Different ways of sorting the data
• Mashups (ways to combine the data with other information)

And if you create your own views or download the data and produce interesting stuff, let us know!

Update on July 14: we launched another new tool so you can download data.

Jeffrey Levy is EPA’s Director of Web Communications.

Today’s young people are more involved than ever in environmental issues, and are making a huge difference. This week, we celebrate their efforts to protect tomorrow’s environment during the President’s Environmental Youth Award Ceremony in Washington, D.C.

What will define the environmental issues for today’s young people?

Since the BP Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico on April 22, 2010, we’ve mobilized resources to support the U.S. Coast Guard and protect public health and the environment.  Our Emergency Operations Center at headquarters has been activated, trained EPA responders are working on the scene, and special mobile equipment has been sent to the Gulf area.

We have several online resources available:

1) We’re posting updated data and other information on our BP oil spill site (www.epa.gov/bpspill):

• Get air quality and water data
• Find answers to common questions
• Submit technology solutions

2) Connect with us on social media sites:

• Administrator Jackson’s personal account of the response to the oil spill: Facebook and Twitter
• EPA’s announcements about our response: Facebook and Twitter

3) Get email updates

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You can also visit the coordinated government response site (www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com) for:

• Information about the spill and efforts to stop the oil from flowing
• Hotlines to report oil on land or injured wildlife
• Details of how you can volunteer