SAN FRANCISCO, March 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, a leading international organization has launched a new blog (http://airhugger.wordpress.com) to expose common fallacies about what is in the air we breathe and to call to task the corporations that threaten it. Positioning itself as common-sense voice for communities living next to industrial facilities, the Air Hugger is unique in the blog world.  

In recent years, as rates of asthma and respiratory disease have increased, especially in children, air quality and related health issues have become a greater concern to the public. Global Community Monitor’s (GCM) new blog, “Air Hugger”, will feature not only timely and topical insights and information about air quality and its impact on human health, but also will expose major corporations whose efforts threaten clean, healthy air.  

“While most people think the EPA and other environmental agencies closely monitor the air we breathe in our communities and schools, nothing could be further from the truth,” said Denny Larson, Executive Director of GCM.  “Of the thousands of air toxics released by industrial facilities in the US, only six are measured. The rest, including cancer causing benzene, are not routinely monitored. And what few air pollution monitors are in place are intentionally located far from the pollution sources that create the greatest risk.”

Air Hugger is the latest education venture of Global Community Monitor, a group well known for inventing the revolutionary “Bucket Brigade” method of  air testing that has reached scores of US and international communities. The air sampling buckets began as an outgrowth of work the group’s staff did with Erin Brockovich in response to a chemical spill.

Air Hugger’s first set of blog posts has targeted major corporations like BP, Shell, Chevron, Exxon and Bayer for ongoing air pollution problems and recalcitrant policies.  The blog has also exposed Air Pollution control agencies for not equipping their enforcement staff with any kind of air monitoring device, other than their noses.  

Air Hugger is also one of the leading voices for clean energy and climate change policies.  As such the blog is tackling the controversial Canadian tar sands oil projects that threaten the pristine Boreal Forests and communities in the US, which are opposing refinery expansions and pipelines for the heavy crude oil.

SOURCE Global Community Monitor

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