Thursday, October 21, 2010

Cleveland air pollution

According to the Environmental Health Watch, the Medical Center Company (MCC) in cuyahoga county has applied to renew a permit that will enable them to operate two coal and five natural gas-fired boilers and five cooling towers. This company sells heating and cooling units to huge companies located in University Circle, which is a huge portion of downtown Cleveland. University Circle is in downtown Cleveland, and encompasses Little Italy, Case Western Reserve University, University Hospitals and much much more. These are just a few of the things in University Circle. MCC is emitting a great amount of pollution into the air by burning coal. This pollution is then traveling through the air and affecting the health of many people who live and work in Cleveland. Currently the Ohio EPA has given MCC a temporary permit, and if a permanent permit is granted then MCC will continue to burn coal. This is detrimental to the health of people in cuyahoga county as well as people in surrounding areas, because the air and pollution will travel. People may begin to have heart and lung problems if the air becomes too polluted. Then, they will have to go to a hospital such as UH, which is one company that is increasing the problem by buying from MCC. It's ironic that a hospital which is supposed to help people is only helping increase the pollution which will make people sicker. Another problem is people will not want to be anywhere near University Circle if the air is dirty and full of smog. University Circle is one area in Cleveland that is still fun, safe, and full of life, but this will quickly change the air becomes dirty and gross. I love going to Little Italy in University Circle, but if I have to breathe in dirty air I won't be going there anymore. I'm sure other people will feel the same way which means Cleveland will continue to lose more money and just get more depressed. I really hope MCC does not attain the permanent permit or else we will all suffer negative effects.

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