There's something in the air...and it could be dangerous | Environment

SALISBURY - From Catawba College:

The results of last summer’s Piedmont Carolina air monitoring study will be the focus of a presentation at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 19, at the Center for the Environment facility on the Catawba College campus in Salisbury.

The study was a joint venture of Davidson College’s Dr. Cindy Hauser and the Center for the Environment.

The research confirmed that ozone levels in the backyards of citizens in Rowan, Cabarrus, Iredell, Davidson, Mecklenburg and Gaston counties in North Carolina and York County in South Carolina are comparable. Only Rowan and Mecklenburg currently have N.C. Division of Air Quality ozone monitors, and their ozone levels do not meet EPA standards.

In fact, the Charlotte- Salisbury-Gastonia metropolitan area ranks 10th worst for ozone pollution in the nation, according to the American Lung Association.

The presentation, which will include information on additional air quality research Hauser has completed, will be of special interest to those who are involved in assessing community health needs, city/county planning and public education.

A panel discussion will follow Hauser’s presentation. Panelists include Dr. Chris Magryta of Salisbury Pediatrics; Robert Van Geons of the Salisbury-Rowan Economic Development Commission; Rebecca Yarbrough of the Centralina Council of Governments; and Dakeita Vanderburg-Johnson of Healthy Cabarrus.

The event is free and open to the public but registration is requested. For more, visit www.centerfortheenvironment.org or call 704.637.4727.

SALISBURY -