Oct 31, 2007 — The St. Lawrence County planning office is asking for $20,000 to continue its campaign against burn barrels and other forms of outdoor garbage burning. It recently completed a two-year campaign that included roadside billboards, bumper stickers, and public service announcements. The EPA says outdoor trash burning is the number one source of dioxin in America today. Dioxin is a highly toxic chemical that can cause cancer, neurological disorders, and many other health problems. Jon Montan has been spearheading the no-burning campaign for St. Lawrence County. He told David Sommerstein burn barrels are a persistent problem, but his efforts are working.  Go to full article

Jul 21, 2005 — Critics trying to stop the construction of a chipboard plant in St. Lawrence County were dealt a major blow in court last week. A State Supreme Court Judge threw out a lawsuit regarding the plant's air pollution permit. In an unusual decision, the judge also barred further lawsuits and ordered the plaintiffs to pay thousands of dollars in court costs. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

Feb 16, 2005 — Earlier this month, Environment Canada issued smog warnings for the Montreal area for six straight days. Higher elevations gave a clear view of the brown smog layer on the horizon. Quebec's environment minister Thomas Mulcair blamed wood smoke. He said in Quebec, residential wood burning accounts for more fine particle pollution than industry or transportation. And he said he'll introduce legislation this year to crack down on inefficient, polluting stoves and fireplaces. Air quality is recognized as a winter-time problem on the U.S. side of the border, too. And as the Great Lakes Radio Consortium's Sarah Hulett reports, we might be hearing more about this type of pollution in our daily weather reports.  Go to full article

Jan 14, 2005 — Cars, trucks and coal-fired power plants contribute to fine particle pollution, or soot. That type of pollution can be harmful for adults with heart or lung problems, and kids with asthma. A new study suggests that the pollution can also affect developing babies. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium's Rebecca Williams has more.  Go to full article

Jan 11, 2005 — Last week in Syracuse farmers touted their environmental stewardship at the annual conference of the New York State Agricultural Society. Farmers presented new ways to build barns, reduce pesticides, and manage manure to control runoff into streams and creeks. In a session on what farmers need to do to become better environmental stewards, a state Assemblyman brought up an uncomfortable issue in the agriculture industry: the open burning of plastics and other garbage. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

Jan 11, 2005 — David Sommerstein talks at length with Assemblyman David Koon and the New York Farm Bureau's Patrick Hooker about the issue of open burning in the agricultural community.  Go to full article

Nov 12, 2004 — A new multi-state initiative to reduce air pollution from burn barrels and other forms of trash burning is receiving mixed reviews in New York. Last week the Department of Environmental Conservation joined with 7 Northeast states and the U.S. EPA to work to stop backyard burning. As David Sommerstein reports, the announcement has rekindled the volatile issue of a statewide burn ban.  Go to full article

Nov 08, 2004 — State environmental officials are renewing attention to the health and environmental dangers of burning trash outdoors. The Department of Environmental Conservation has joined with 7 northeast states and the EPA in a campaign to reduce backyard burning. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

Jun 15, 2004 — A planned chipboard factory in St. Lawrence County that would employ more than 100 people remains stalled in court cases. A federal appeals court ruled recently that people who live near the site could continue a lawsuit seeking tighter pollution controls. The ruling reversed a lower court's decision. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

Dec 19, 2002 — In 1994, the North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA, established an agency to monitor the environmental effects of trade between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. In a new report, the agency gives NAFTA mixed reviews. David Sommerstein explains.  Go to full article