I completely disagree! When we organize together, we are powerful.

To see who of you is right ...can we have a deadline stablished?

I bet the EPA must have some stats on air-quality in and around tweed. Complaints about air and noise quality have been an ongoing issues. I am sure there are reports that were filed with Blumenthal when he was in charge. Rachel you're right United one stands divided we fall! Let's create a strategy.

A Health Dept Inspector is dealing with this issue.

Air quality is continuously monitored near the airport by the State of Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. The Director of air quality is Rick Pirolli 860-424-4152.

Yay! That sounds like a good start to finding out what the current avgas standards are, and I hope you share that here.

That said,
1. If you fly into Tweed the proximity of that neighborhood to I95 is very apparent, and much more constant in terms of traffic than planes.
2. The picture you attach seems to be a stock photo pulled from somewhere of an engine fire, is that correct? Planes don't fly in that condition, and my concern there would not be lead so much as smoke-related pollutants.

I went to two EMST meetings and anytime there is anything on flooding or Tweed (which our reps tell me is unrelated) the public is allowed to speak for 3 mins. Rep. Larson who is also the ED at Tweed did an hour song and dance about how wonderful it is going to be and that you can get free sound proofing for your home. The public was allowed to speak for 3 mins, again. I have asked the EMST people and Sal DeCoala to hold a neighborhood meeting where all of our concerns would be addressed. I have also asked Mr. DeCoala to give me dates and times of all state and city meetings related to Tweed. He has not answered me. EMST says they have had meetings already.

So I am with Rachel. How can we get the word out to the neighbors that we all need to meet if EMST and Sal are not willing to support such a meeting? Can we get the email list somehow? They are being very divisive. We need to meet now. I can bet this will be on the legislative agenda by fall. Is there a public space we can meet in? Rachel maybe you know.

FYI I did had out the site for the petition started on Change.Org at the meeting. The City Development Officer got a copy too. He believes this will only have positive impact on property values, etc.

Let's do this. I am happy to help make it happen since our representatives don't appear to be willing to assist.

I left a voice mail message for Rick Pirolli on 6/13/14, with no response to date. Can New Haven Health Dept. Staff find out the air lead levels at Tweed? Non-responsive to citizen request.

According to the State of Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, the latest standard for lead in the air is .15 micrograms/cubic meter. The State’s air monitoring site located in New Haven, Connecticut registers a level of .04 micrograms/cubic meter of air, which is well below the standard. Please see the State DEEP website for more details.

Thanks for fixing this issue!

Oops! It looks like my question has been prematurely closed! Looking at the DEEP air quality monitoring page on their web site: http://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?a=2684&q=322058&deepNav_GID=1744, they show that the monitoring is done on State Street. So, given the very localized avgas/lead air pollution that is documented at regional airports (see posting above that children living within 500 meters of an airport at which planes use leaded avgas have higher blood lead levels than other children.), can we get Tweed based air quality monitoring results?

Is air quality near Tweed being monitored? What are the levels within 500 meters of the actual airport? Thank you so much!

Rachel, isn't your effort to phase out leaded avgas? Can we find out what the current regulation is and what airports are best-practice examples to follow?

Yes, exactly GretaH, I want to phase out leaded avgas. Because of the significant impact on the airline industry, the EPA is dragging its feet in reducing the allowable levels, even though the science is very clear: leaded avgas generates high lead levels in people. Current CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) standards (not sure if that's the same as federal EPA or more stringent) is apparently .15 micrograms/cubic meter. Is DEEP testing at Tweed? I don't know. What are the air lead levels at Tweed -- that's what I want to find out!

Rachel, I'm saying this as a private citizen, btw,
I'm not sure the winning argument is with air lead levels at an airport with so little traffic, and adjacent to a VERY busy highway and near refineries.
If we can make improvements that are already in practice elsewhere, that seems a cleaner "ask" to me. Can you help me understand why the levels argument needs to be made as a precursor to pushing for best practices that you imply are in place elsewhere?

GretaH, I'm in fact-finding mode right now. I do think that Tweed air quality should be monitored. The EPA standards are what they are. My understanding is that in Europe they just tax the heck out of the leaded avgas. Thinking we'd need to build a case for harm here before seeking to change practice? I'm open to suggestion though!!

Morris Cove and East Haven neighbors are invited to an open conversation on the proposed expansions of Tweed Airport. This conversation will take place on Wednesday, July 16 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Morris Cove Firehouse, Townsend Ave, 2nd Floor, New Haven. Topics include environmental issues, economic impact and neighborhood quality of life. Email rheerema@snet.net for more information or if you have specific information or expertise to contribute in advance.

There has been no public information about lead contamination from the avgas at Tweed. Please advise.

For any information regarding air quality in and around airports, one should contact the State of Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, United States Environmental Protection Agency, and/or the Federal Aviation Agency.

Please do so on behalf of New Haven residents living near the airport! There is NO air quality monitoring near the airport and there needs to be!!!

Rachel,
I am currently talking with the EPA about deeper integration with SCF as there are many folks there that are enthusiastic about this. Thanks for posting.

BB

Ooo! Great idea Ben - thanks!!

Hi, can you also ask Tweed to respond to the pesticide they sprayed around the Creek and fence this summer. I have pics.

Tweed needs on-site air quality monitoring -- for lead which does not spread very far. How is the New Haven Health Department faring in addressing this issue? I've made no headway with DEEP, and probably won't. This air poisoning is a GOVERNMENTAL MONITORING issue. How can we get the City and State to address?!? State Street monitoring is Too Far Away to monitor lead (which doesn't travel far). Please provide an update?!?

Probably should close this post now that the expansion is going to happen

We are closing this request due to its historic nature. If this concern still requires attention and you still believe SeeClickFix is a viable tool for its resolution the best way for it to be addressed is for you to create a new request including a current description of what is occurring and what solution you hope to see regarding this matter, citing/linking this request in the details. Thank you for your dedication to improving the quality of life in our community.