Blue Mass Group

Reality-based commentary on politics.

Wind farms vs. more asthma

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Yesterday we learned that asthma is worse in New England than elsewhere in the country.

Well, here’s another stark choice for us. We can move to clean energy sources, or we can continue to filibuster Cape Wind and enjoy the view while our kids get asthma. RFK Jr.’s kids have asthma — why is he choosing the view? Baffling.

Now, there’s no question that a lot of that can be chalked up to relative population density, and the fact that the Midwest’s filth (ever driven through Gary, IN?) flies straight to us via the jet stream. That’s got to stop, too; a little actual law enforcement from the EPA might help, as might pollution credit trading markets.

But that shouldn’t prevent us from doing the things that are eminently within our reach.

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Comments

  1. and a neighbor stood up and talked about how his cat even had asthma in Somerville.  He said that he knew it was not a comparsion to a child, but it was sorta sad nonetheless.  Seriously–when the pets are having breathing trouble, you could say that was sort of a kitty in a coal mine.

  2. Let me say up front that I’m in favor of the Wind Farm and tighter environmental regulations but…

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    Hasn’t pollution gone down over the last 20 years? It doesn’t seem to make sense that decreasing pollution is the cause of increasing Asthma rates. I know there are studies that state a link between Asthma and pollution, but given the decrease in pollution, I’m not sure what to make of them.

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    BTW – I have Asthma. I spent a couple of weeks in New Delhi, India in 98. It was the most polluted  city I had ever seen. I loaded up with every Asthma medication you can think of in anticipation of having a difficult time. Much to my surprise, I didn’t need any of it. Since then I have always been suspicious of the pollution and Asthma link.

    • While some kinds of pollution are down, other kinds are up.  IIRC, large particulate matter is down, small particulate matter has increased, and the gasses that result in asthma problems, including ground level ozone, have increased.

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      Will Cape Wind result in less air pollution?  Yip.  Will it reduce asthma attacks?  I have no idea… do the emissions from gas and coal fired power plants result in increased asthma attacks?  What about automobiles?

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