02/20/14 05:54 - ID#58708

How close is too close?

Does anyone know how close might be too close to live by the Peace Bridge? Is there any way to really know?

metalpeter writes at 07:23:29 02/22/14 - Comment #71364: I wish I knew... I don't know the traffic Patterns or how wind blows as big trucks sit there... but I wonder if there is zone where if you are close enough like almost on water (not sure if there are houses there) where that bad stuff goes over you .... But to be honest who knows cause who knows if they build another bridge or how they change stuff.... I wish you luck on the house ... I wonder is that information the house seller has to give you ? I know some things they have to .....

libertad writes at 03:20:07 02/22/14 - Comment #71359: Thanks so much Joe for all the information. It really complicates home buying when you have to worry about environmental contaminants. I've been really curious about a large double on 440 Plymouth but it is less than a mile from the bridge and I'm pretty sure that is too close. This particular house interests me because it has a big lot with empty spaces on both sides and in the back. An elementary school is in front of it reducing the chances of annoying neighbors. :::link:::

I'll just have to keep waiting patiently for more inventory. There is another property i'm interested in but they are asking almost 20k more than the bank pre approved me for. Working with bank to see if I can get more money and that is a possibility, I just need to submit more information. It's a very real possibility that Mike and I will need to move to another apartment before I find a suitable house for us to live in...

joe writes at 02:23:50 02/21/14 - Comment #71336: So it depends on what parts of air quality you're concerned about. But there are a bunch of studies by Dr. Lwebuga-Mukasa from UB about air quality on the west side. :::link::: :::link:::

This map from the second study shows by census block that the ones adjacent are obviously the worst for asthma. It's kind of hard to parse out the boundaries but it looks like the neighborhood mostly below Utica and west of Richmond has the highest concentration of cases. :::link:::
Census block map - :::link:::

For the first study if you go to Figure 69 on page 100, and figures 53-57 on pgs. 86-88. It looks like when there's a decent west wind (common) pretty much the entire west side sucks for particulate matter pollution which cause and exacerbate asthma.

Obviously the better further you are away. The state DEC claims the air is safe and that the health issues are from demographics, but the EPA and the Clean Air Coalition disagree. :::link:::

I never really read the studies before but there is a lot of data. I bet the CAC probably has a bunch of good summaries if you got in touch with them.