MiddletownJournal.com

MIDDLETOWN — Environmental, school and business leaders are urging parents to use caution when examining a USA Today report that ranks air quality outside schools across the country, including those in Butler and Warren counties.

The newspaper unveiled a study of industrial pollution outside schools this week.

The report ranks air quality at 127,800 public, private and parochial schools based on emissions filed in 2005 by industrial sites.

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency is examining the report "with a lot of interest," said spokeswoman Heather Lauer.

"It's a good starting point," Lauer said of the study. "None of it so far has surprised us at all."

Lauer said the newspaper used a government method that takes into consideration worse case scenarios for chemicals emitted, as well as meteorology, to determine where the worst air might be. It does not consider chemicals being used at a person's home or emissions from automobiles, she said.

Lauer said the report should be read carefully. She said people should examine what they know about their community. "Don't just read the story, but actually look at how this information was put together for their location," she said, adding the Ohio EPA is always monitoring state air.

Local business leaders also urge a heavy dose of skepticism when examining the report.

Evertz Technology was shocked to learn they were cited as a contributor of pollutants around Middletown schools. The company produces stainless steel for AK Steel, but an internal dust collection system on product lines prevents particles from entering the environment.

"We do not have anything to do with any emissions that go out into the community. It's not who we are, it's not what we do. We are held to high standards on that," said general manager Bob Hendricks.

AK Steel spokesman Alan McCoy said the report is "unnecessarily alarming."

McCoy said since the report uses 2005 data it is outdated and requires a "healthy dose of skepticism and review."

Since 2005, AK Steel has invested $65 million on new air emission controls for furnaces at Middletown Works.

"We take our environmental responsibility very seriously," he said.

Evertz and AK Steel were listed as top contributors to pollution outside Amanda Elementary School, which was listed in the top one percentile of schools with poor air quality, according to the USA Today report.

Only 503 schools in the country are reported to have poorer air than that outside Amanda, USA Today writes.

Sherry Allen said the air quality in the Amanda Elementary School neighborhood has improved since 2005.

Still, the mother-of-three is moving her family to a Kentucky farm to escape the breathing problems they suffer in Middletown.

After 24 years living in the Amanda neighborhood, Allen doesn't know what else to do to keep the black soot out of her home.

"I don't think the air quality's that great and I don't like it," she said. ?It's something I wish would change, but I don't really know how to change it. It's something you just kind of get used to."

Franklin Superintendent Arnol Elam said there is nothing the district can do to control air quality outside the district's neighborhood schools.

"There's nothing we can do about the outside air," Elam said. "It's way beyond our control."

The Sierra Club of Cincinnati said though air emissions are improving, the report should be taken into consideration.

"It's still a very big concern," said Marilyn Wall, of the special interest group focused on environmental issues. ?We could do a better job,"

Anyone with further questions about the study may contact Erica Wiggins with the Ohio EPA at (614) 644-2160.