Richmond Air Quality? (Chester: home, allergies, living in)

[bootsybk]

Can someone please tell me how polluted Richmond's air is? I have heard this mentioned in some other threads and would like to have a better understanding.

[richmondpics]

A typical Richmond family at the dinner table:

[johnny500]

I rarely can see the sun for all of the black ash that hangs in the air around here. Children frequently die from it, at least seven this week on my street alone. I havent been outside for years. Abandon all hope, ye who enter here.

[stp_fan]

Oh it's really bad. If you have allergies you will be living in hell. And if you don't have allergies, you develop allergies. Sometimes I can even walk a block without seeing a dead bird covered in soot and ashes. I even get really big boogers in my nose from all the dirt in the air, so I'd recommend carrying a tissue with you at all times. Everyone I know has one of those air purifiers in their home - we've got 3, 1 for each main room. You'd have to be completely nuts to not have one. I also heard if you raise your children in Richmond, the air quality starts to effect their judgment and slows down brain cell activity - I know they're doing some research down at VCU about this - not exactly a pleasant thing to hear. Be careful out there, Richmond is the most polluted around in the world. All those factories off of I95, Philip Morris headquarters and all that dirt and grime from the civil war. They never cleaned it up.

[BuiltforSin]

[bootsybk]

Thank you for your kind replies. It's especially appreciated during this Christmas season which emphasizes compassion and understanding. I asked the question in regard to a health concern for an older family member who may be relocating to the area. I asked it because I have been doing research and seen other posts regarding air quality and Richmond's historic past as an industrial leader which calls pollution to mind. This was my first post. I have often wondered whether to place any stock in the answers given on this site. I now see that for many of you it is only a place to make fun and belittle. How sad since it could be a great resource if not for people like you.

[richmondpics]

Oh boo-hoo. Take a look at my posts. Not to toot my own horn but I contribute plenty of helpful, positive suggestions and comments on this site for nothing in return... free advice for people I don't know and I'll never meet.

Perhaps you can infer from the sarcastic posts that the amateur opinion is that air pollution isn't much of an issue for most people. Put a call into a respiratory specialist to see what they say about people with respiratory problems.

This is a bad area for people with bad allergies.

The region's single largest pollutant is a coal fired power plant in eastern Chesterfield County. Winds tend to blow east, away from major population areas. Dominion is spending billions on scrubbers and other technology to lessen the plant's impact.

The region is heavily automobile dependent, and has a few ozone days in the summer.

[ronyusa]

OP - No offense but you asked what would be generally considered a ridiculous question and got appropriate, humorous answers, nobody belittled or insulted you, just made some fun of the question you asked. That does not mean they are generally unhelpful or lack the "Holiday spirit", whatever that is, ever thought may be the "Holiday spirit" includes a little sense of humor too?? Try having a sense of humor instead of crying and playing victim first!

If you have specific question for health reasons then you should have mentioned that in your initial question to put things in perspective for all and may be you would get some serious answers.

Everything richmondpics said above is spot on. Air quality in Richmond is great and your older familly members will be fine unless they choose to live right next to one of the few factories that still exist. Industrial pollution is not a problem in the residential areas! However, Richmond and the South in general have heavy pollen problems due to too many plants, trees, beautiful forests and blooming flowers so that IS a problem if your family member has asthma/allergy problems. I suffer from serious pollen allergies and I have to take medications and wear a mask to avoid pollen in early Spring. However, any fear involving industrial/man-made pollution is completely ridiculous and should be the least of your concerns.

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year, your new year resolution should be to try and get a sense of humor !!

Cheers.

Originally Posted by bootsybk

Thank you for your kind replies. It's especially appreciated during this Christmas season which emphasizes compassion and understanding. I asked the question in regard to a health concern for an older family member who may be relocating to the area. I asked it because I have been doing research and seen other posts regarding air quality and Richmond's historic past as an industrial leader which calls pollution to mind. This was my first post. I have often wondered whether to place any stock in the answers given on this site. I now see that for many of you it is only a place to make fun and belittle. How sad since it could be a great resource if not for people like you.

[ronyusa]

richmondpics - Loved the pic of the family having a meal with mask on by the way haha

Originally Posted by richmondpics

Oh boo-hoo. Take a look at my posts. Not to toot my own horn but I contribute plenty of helpful, positive suggestions and comments on this site for nothing in return... free advice for people I don't know and I'll never meet.

[EricD]

Virginia DEQ - Air Quality Information

This should help.