The air we breathe doesn’t hold much weight on our thoughts, but it does on our health. Local TV and radio stations contribute pivotal information to their communities on air quality threats and precautions and provide people with information on how to detect and decrease air pollutants.
KOB Addresses Air Quality Fears in Wake of Wildfire in Northern New Mexico »
Hubbard Broadcasting’s KOB, based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, helped viewers stay informed and safe when their air quality was threatened by a nearby wildfire.
KOB reported on the growing Sardinas Canyon wildfire burning in North Central New Mexico, which scorched 800 acres of National Forest land. Air quality concerns were particularly pointed for people over the age of 65, young children, pregnant women and people with lung and heart disease.
Tony Fristachi, an environmental health epidemiologist with the New Mexico Department of Health, joined the station to describe the 5,3,1 visibility rule.
“If you can see up to 5 miles – anyone in that high-risk group should limit outdoor activity, 3 miles – anyone at high risk should stay inside while everyone should limit outdoor activity, and if visibility drops to one mile, everyone should stay inside,” Fristachi said.
WABC Investigates Air Contamination Stories in Local Schools »
New York City’s WABC, an ABC owned-and-operated station, investigated contaminated air at schools in Long Island.
In Brookhaven’s Frank P. Long Intermediate School, located in southern Long Island, 35 cases of cancer within the faculty prodded speculation that the neighboring Brookhaven Landfill was the cause. WABC reporters spent months analyzing years’ worth of testing related to air quality at the school and toxins potentially coming from the landfill. They showed the results to a toxic chemical expert who concluded the chemical cocktail posed a real danger to students and teachers, even in low doses.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo responded to WABC’s investigation, saying he believes the state needs to do more to monitor air quality in schools.
NBC4 Provides Steps to Help Reduce Pollution after Fourth Air Quality Alert »
After four air quality alerts were issued in central Ohio in one month, Nexstar Media Group’s NBC4 in Columbus, Ohio, walked viewers through easy steps they can take to reduce pollution.
In addition to suggesting drivers carpool or take mass transit to reduce emissions, the segment also encourages viewers to fill up their gas tanks after 8 p.m., because cooler temperatures limit gas evaporations.
X96 FM Radio Station Broadcasts Live Panel Discussion on Utah’s Air Quality »
Nexstar Media Group’s X96 FM radio station, based in Salt Lake City, held a live panel to address the growing air quality concerns from local residents, after three Utah cities ranked in the top five for worst air in the nation this past February.
The five panelists, all from different backgrounds and professions, found common ground in their commitment to clean air and air quality solutions. In the discussion, smokestacks, homes, businesses, cars and even hairspray and nail polish were discussed as daily pollutant contributors.
Sarah Wright, founder and executive director of Utah Clean Energy, told the panel that if more energy efficient homes are built and people make small individual changes, such as simply turning down thermostats, Utah’s air quality will improve.
More than 2.47 million American jobs depend on broadcasting, and the local broadcast radio and television industry - and the businesses that depend on it - generate $1.17 trillion annually for the nation's economy.
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