Traverse City Record-Eagle

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May 8, 2010

Forum: Make smarter choice for energy

By LAURA SHEA ----

As a physician residing and caring for patients in the Traverse City area, I am deeply concerned about the potential health impact of a biomass plant in our region.

Known gaseous byproducts of burning biomass fuels are carbon monoxide, benzene, toluene and other known toxic and cancer-causing chemicals.

In addition, the ash residue of biomass emissions has an adverse health impact on human lungs and particularly those individuals with chronic lung disease such as asthma or emphysema.

Let us learn from other societies who have implemented biomass energy and what has resulted in the environment in those regions, for example, South Asia.

The "Asian Brown Cloud" is a layer of air pollution that extends for miles in the sky that covers South Asia.

The contents of this have been studied and have been scientifically proven to have been largely a result of biomass energy.

A scientific health study performed in 2002 indicated that nearly 2 million people die each year in India alone due to the health implications of this brown cloud.

We have already polluted our Great Lakes waters which has resulted in the current fish consumption health advisory recommendation that pregnant women and women of childbearing age not consume more than two fish meals per month.

This is due to the buildup of mercury and other biological neurotoxins which are found in fish which become concentrated in fatty tissue such as breast milk and the brains of infants.

Let us not contaminate the air we breathe in addition to the water that we drink in this lovely region of our country.

Let us learn from other societies who have implemented biomass energy and make a smarter, cleaner choice for renewable energy in this magical Northern Michigan Community that we are fortunate to live in.

About the author: Laura Shea is a doctor at Brookside Family Medicine

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