GCA's Position on Clean Air
The Garden Club of America’s position paper on Clean Air has identified six chemicals that cause damage to our health and environment. Five are released into our environment by the burning of fossil fuels…coal, oil and natural gas.
Nitrogen dioxide NO2), nitrogen oxide (NOX) and nitrous oxide (N2O) are highly reactive gases that are emitted from motor vehicles and from industry. They are potent because they mix with other chemicals to form particulate matter or soot, tropospheric ozone and haze. When combined with phosphorous, algae forms and when combined with sulfur dioxide acid rain is created.
Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is largely emitted into the air from power plants that burn fossil fuels. Like nitrogen it combines with other chemicals to form particulate matter, haze and acid rain.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the greenhouse gas that traps heat from the sun in the atmosphere and thus increases our temperatures. The burning of coal, natural gas and oil are the key anthropogenic (man made) source of CO2. Electricity production is the single biggest generator of carbon emissions. CO2 has a long atmospheric lifetime…hundreds to thousands of years.
Methane (CH4) is emitted during coal mining and petroleum production and is released from leaks in the drilling for natural gas.
Mercury (HG) is present in deposits of coal and thus any power plants that burns coal releases mercury. Mercury is present in old thermometers, batteries and light bulbs. Thus, careful disposal is necessary to prevent contamination of our air.
Hydrofluorocarbons (HFC’s) are manmade chemicals and are released into the environment from the manufacture of, leakage from and disposal of refrigeration and air conditioning equipment and aerosols. In 2011, the EPA approved three alternative refrigerants, but more are needed.
The Adirondack Garden Club continues to educate members and the community on the importance of reducing the greenhouse gases in our atmosphere.
