Latest news with #RandallBarnes
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Canadian wildfire smoke causing haze in county
Ashtabula County skies have seen hazy conditions, as smoke from the ongoing Canadian wildfires has blown across the midwest. Ashtabula County Health Department Director of Environmental Health Randall Barnes said the pollution is moderately bad right now. 'Thankfully, it's not really bad here right now,' he said. Barnes said the smoke had mainly caused increases in particle air pollution. Barnes recommended seniors, children, people with asthma, or lung and heart conditions, and other people particularly sensitive to particle pollution limit their time outside, he said. 'Consider taking it a little bit easier,' he said. N-95 masks would also be helpful when going outside, filtering out particle pollution, Barnes said. Barnes said people should make sure they have proper air filters installed, and that more technologically sophisticated air filters would also help. Barnes encouraged outdoor workers to take breaks when possible to avoid too much exposure, he said. AirNow recommends people stay safe when doing outdoor actives so they limit their exposure. According to the Environmental Protection Agency's website, particle pollution can affect the health of a person's lungs or heart, and cause premature death, aggravated asthma, nonfatal heart attacks, irregular heartbeat, decreased lung function and coughing. Barnes said county residents can learn more about current air quality on where people can enter their zip code and see current air quality, alongside forecasts for the next day. 'I would like to encourage people to be aware,' he said. AirNow, as of Thursday, lists particle pollution for the Ashtabula area as having a moderate amount of particle pollution. Barnes said the last time wildfire smoke drifted over the region in 2023 certainly seemed worse. According to the American Lung Association's 2025 State of the Air Report, the 2023 Canadian Wildfires 'drove levels of ozone and particle pollution in dozens of central and eastern states higher than they have been in many years.'
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Health department offering free water tests and sewer evaluations
The Ashtabula County Health Department is providing free water tests and sewer system evaluations for county residents. ACHD Director of Environmental Health Randall Barnes said the free tests and evaluations are being funded by a $50,000 clean water grant from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. County residents get roughly $200 worth of free services from the health department, Barnes said. Sewage inspections usually cost $150, and water tests normally cost $50, he said. To apply for the free test and evaluation, county residents can call 440-576-6010 and dial 3, or they can go to the health department's website, go to the environmental tab and click on Clean Water Ashtabula County. Barnes encouraged county residents to sign up. 'It's a great opportunity to get a free water test and sewage evaluation,' he said. Barnes said people should consider applying if their property contains sandy or gravelly soil, which contaminated water can permeate more easily. 'I encourage people to take advantage,' he said. 'There's no strings attached.' Barnes said around 60 people have signed up so far, and the health department has identified around 12 sewage issues, from broken pumps to sewage backing up into houses. The health department has sent out around 14,500 flyers about the program across the county promoting the program, he said. The free water test will look for contaminants like coliform bacteria, including e coli. Roughly half of Ashtabula County homes rely on wells, Barnes said. 'These hand-dug wells are susceptible to contamination,' he said. The sewer system evaluation will look for both major and minor issues in sewer systems. If major issues are found with a septic system, Barnes said the health department will send an inspection form to the county Department of Planning and Community Development. Barnes said the inspection form can allow residents to qualify for grant-funded assistance from the Department of Planning and Community Development to deal with failing septic systems. 'People will not be required to replace their sewage system because of this evaluation,' he said. Barnes said help from the department is first come, first serve because they have limited grant funding. Barnes said having a well-maintained sewage system is important for keeping the surrounding environment clean. 'Your sewage system is an investment, as well,' he said. Barnes compared not cleaning and taking care of your sewer system to not changing the oil on your car, saying a major sewage issue could bring down its worth. Barnes said taking care of your sewer system saves money in the long term.
