>
City commissioners uncommitted on study of air quality
While monitoring air quality in Fernandina Beach is a worthwhile goal, budgetary concerns may prevent any attempt to study and mitigate local sources of harmful air pollution, according to Fernandina Beach City Commissioners’ comments at a June 2 workshop.
The workshop was scheduled after several Fernandina Beach residents voiced concerns over air quality, including possible elevated levels of nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter. Conserve Nassau, a nonprofit advocacy group, urged commissioners to address the issue.
“We’re hoping the city will investigate further and have a website that makes [air quality information] transparent to everyone,” said Kathy Schofield of Concerned Nassau. “I think the community needs to unify and work together towards that goal.”
But the commissioners were divided on whether air quality was an issue under their purview or if they could enact any solutions if air quality problems were identified. They also expressed concern about the cost of undertaking air quality studies — with estimates ranging from $30,000 to $55,000 for monitoring and interpretation — given an extremely tight upcoming budget year.
“There are a lot of things that create the issues and none of them are within our purview of compliance and management,” said commissioner Genece Minshew. “I am very concerned about where this will take us over the long run, and we will spend money that doesn’t solve anything.”
The workshop adjourned with an agreement by commissioners to examine whether there is money in the 2026-2027 budget to pursue an air quality project in the future. The city also committed to expanding its website to include more information on air quality.
That’s a first step on the road to clarifying air quality issues that may be affecting the city, said Margaret Kirkland, a board member of Concerned Nassau.
“I am very encouraged with what [the city] is going to do with the website,” she said. “I am happy the city is considering what they can and can’t do.”
On its own, Conserve Nassau last year developed a plan to monitor air quality. The organization purchased and placed four air monitoring sensors around the city to begin data collection. It also created a local "Clean Air" webpage linked to the Fernandina Beach Community page.
Data collected so far show variations in air quality among neighborhoods in the city with occasional spikes in chemical levels that exceed federal air-quality standards. For example, monitoring suggested elevations in nitrogen dioxide levels near Broome Street. Nitrogen dioxide is a known respiratory irritant that can cause wheezing and asthma attacks, according to the American Lung Association. Elevated levels of hydrogen sulfide, which produce a “rotten egg” smell, were also detected.
The sensors were purchased by Conserve Nassau from Tellus, a company that makes professional-grade air monitors. A Tellus official told commissioners that those monitors were adequate for indicating a potential problem but that confirmatory findings would require additional professional monitoring and interpretation.
Kerry Kelly, director of Tellus and associate professor of chemical engineering at the University of Utah, told commissions that Conserve Nassau’s preliminary data indicated the need for further investigation.
“We are seeing a lot of sulfur dioxide, extremely elevated spikes, that may range from one to three hours,” Schofield said. “We’re seeing hydrogen sulfide on a daily basis. That comes along with the odors. And then we noticed nitrogen dioxide in the Broome Street area.”
Conserve Nassau asked Fernandina Beach city officials to support efforts to address air quality, including studies, air quality data collection and reports, issuing alerts to the public and hiring a credentialed chief resilience officer. But commissioners struggled with what they could do about air pollution if sensors showed a source of pollution that exceeded Environmental Protection Agency standards.
“If we get the monitors and we get the information, what is the action plan going to be if we identify the source” of air pollution, asked commission Tim Poynter. He expressed concern about spending money on the project at this time.
Kirkland told commissioners that if evidence of pollution exceeding EPA standards is found, “often those companies or organizations will come forward and do something themselves to mitigate the situation.” She said that was the case with air pollution issues in Jacksonville. “That is what we’re hoping for. That would be a positive outcome for everyone."
Commissioner Joyce Tuten, who ran for office on a platform to protect the city’s natural resources, supported funding an air quality monitoring project.
“We need the state and federal government to intervene with enforcement,” she said, adding, “If we don’t take the first step, we never get there.”
Minshew opposed spending funds on an air quality study.
“I am really concerned that we are going to be asked to spend money and do some things that are not going to drive to a result,” she said.
A growing number of U.S. towns and cities are struggling to address air quality issues. Air pollution can impact almost every organ in the body, according to the World Health Organization. Breathing pollutants can trigger inflammation, suppression of the immune system and cellular changes throughout the body that can lead to disease. The organization lists particulate matter, carbon monoxide, ozone, nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide as having major adverse impacts on health.
However, under the Trump Administration, the EPA has dismantled many clean air protection programs and regulations, according to the Environmental Defense Fund.
“We all assumed that EPA was looking out for us in relation to pollutants, and now we see on their website that we have something completely different than what we always thought was the case,” Kirkland said. Now, she said, “it’s up to community members to gather data.”
Comments
5 comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here
SaltyLocal76
Glad commissioners are not willing to throw money away with these studies. The few "concerned" citizens that are worried about the issue can continue to monitor this situation with their own funds. I'm tired of our tax dollars getting wasted on a few squeaky wheels with their own agenda.
Thursday, June 4 Report this
Mark Tomes
Information is Power, and gathering reliable information is the first step to understanding if there's a problem. I understand there could be budget considerations for not assisting with air quality monitoring, but for some commissioners to not want to help with air quality monitoring because they have no power or authority to do something about any potential problem that comes up as a result of the air quality monitoring is ridiculous. The results of the monitoring can be forwarded to the companies suspected of creating the pollution, to the EPA, to the public for possible grassroots action, etc. We might not be able to afford to assist with air quality monitoring, but in another sense, we can't afford not to.
Friday, June 5 Report this
Dralign
I am a little shocked that the some of the commissioners are so blatantly ignoring an air quality health issues in this wonderful town that has 2 plants billowing smoke from their stacks. I would understand why someone who is in principle “invested” in the plant might say things like “ what can we do any way” and “we don’t want to waste the money”. But what should be more important to our elected officials than the health and well being of the residents. But at least we will have a new city hall. We’ll, maybe there is a slight disconnect of authority here!
Friday, June 5 Report this
BeachEd
Have the state or EPA conduct the study. Why does the city need to spend more ?
Friday, June 5 Report this
SandyKerry
I was at the Air Quality workshop meeting and there were only 2 commissioners who objected to the air quality study: Minshew & Poynter over so-called budget concerns. The other 3 commissioners were in favor of going further and looking into the air quality study and possible purchase of city monitors: Mayor Antun, Commissioner Ayscue (who is a fireman & well aware of the toxic potential of such gases in our air), and Commissioner Tuten. Tellus who currently reports data from the monitors purchased by citizens with their own funds (which cost $3-4,00 each) has offered to do this study for $8,000 at a greatly reduced price. It’s time for the City commissioners to take action on behalf of the
health & safety of its citizens. Surely this small amount would not “break” the city budget! If a new city hall and waterfront park are within reach of the current city budget, surely the quality of life issues for its citizens should take precedence!
Sunday, June 7 Report this