04/08/08 What's In Your Air?

What's In Your Air? I'm Greg Martin with today's Fruit Grower Report. Yesterday we chatted with Heather Hansen, Executive Director of Washington Friends of Farms and Forests who has mixed emotions when it comes to an air quality project by Washington State. While it is important to know what is in the air we breathe she says it's important that the results are viewed correctly. HANSEN: I certainly hope that when the report comes out its unbiased and objective and the data is framed accurately. Now reality is that we have incredibly sensitive monitoring equipment these days. If a scientist goes out and looks for anything  he'll find it. At some level. That is a key statement. And the main point that Hansen makes is that when the study is done the data must be properly presented. HANSEN: Unfortunately what sometimes happens, if data are put out there without an explanation people tend to be afraid because they don't understand what it means. If you simply say we detected pesticides in the air and don't explain at levels that were orders of magnitude below any cause for concern, it often times can create fear. So the key is how is the data presented. Each day we use, breathe or consume numerous dangerous compounds. Household cleaning solutions, glues, hairsprays, etc. HANSEN: People aren't afraid of those things because it's a risk they understand and know how to deal with  feel comfortable dealing with. But pesticides sound more frightening because first of all you have no control over it. It's something someone else is doing that could affect you so there is a higher concern level. It doesn't necessarily mean there's a higher risk level. That's today's Fruit Grower Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.