Air Pollution Risks
Seminar in Risk CommunicationCommunications 553, Fall 1997
Student Project Page
Glynn R. Wilson
Visit my home page
Copyright 1997 Glynn R. Wilson. All rights reserved.
Last updated December 8, 1997
Evaluation of Information Available on the Web
Information about risks related to air pollution is more widely available than ever before--for students, journalists, and researchers--thanks to the world wide web, or a computer network dubbed by some as the "information superhighway." Sources of information in the clean air debate range from technical information from federal agencies, political debate over public policy from legislative bodies, ostensibly objective information from on-line media, and education/advocacy sites from the legal and activist perspectives.
Federal Agencies:
For reliable information on the science of air pollution, the best place to start is the national government executive branch, the federal agencies that employ some of the top specialists. Perhaps the most significant place to look for the regional environmental and economic impact of air pollution is the National Park Service Air Web Resources. Information about air pollution in all the national parks is summarized, with links to public and private research. For a visual presentation, empirical evidence of smog in the Smokies, if you will, go straight to the Park Service photos of the mountains on a clear, medium and hazy day.The Environmental Protection Agency is also an essential source of information about the regulations governing air pollution standards. EPA's Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards is also helpful, as is the EPA Office of Mobile Sources, Motor Vehicles, Fuels, Nonroad Engines. A March, 1991 EPA report directly addresses the technical health risks from air pollution, as a matter of risk assessment.
The National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory (NVFEL) conducts the Federal Government's principal program to control air pollution from motor vehicles.
Legislative bodies:
The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee has the power to recommend changes to federal legislation on air pollution, and was the primary forum this year for the national opposition to more stringent ambient air quality rules. Here you will find the statements of committee members and witnesses, press releases, Senate hearing transcripts, and other public records involved in the policy debate.
Education/Advocacy organizations:
The Cornell Legal Institute provides an on-line version of the United States code concerning the Clean Air Act, as well as links to sources with policy recommendations. The Community Right To Know Network provides a starting point for assessing the level of grassroots public activity in communities where air pollution is considered a major problem. For a comprehensive series answering frequently asked questions on air pollution issues, including health risks, see the National Resources Defense Council report on the subject.Find out about the relationship between asthma and exercise in this on-line handout from the Allergy & Asthmatic Network, a division of Mothers of Asthmatics. And for a little alternative health information, about how taking vitamins might help protect people from some of the worst health effects of air pollution, see the Vitamin Dispenser, a series in Prevention Magazine.
Journalism sources:
For a set of technical links for working reporters, a good place to check is the Society of Environmental Journalists page on air pollution. For another secondary source of information on the science of polluted air, check E Zine. The Medical Tribune ran a story from the New York Times syndicate on June 19, 1997, based on a Harvard study, headlined: Urban air pollution increases risk for heart disease. A story from National Parks Magazine headlined: Tennessee Agrees to Air Quality Plan provides an a overview of the effects in Tennessee, and leads to other informative websites.
On to News Info |
Back to Problem/Definition |
Project Index