Podcast

 

Note: All interviewees have signed consent forms and are aware of how their responses are being used on my domain site.

Read my podcast script below!

ANCHOR INTRO

Asthma has always been a household name but has never received any recognition for its severity.

Asthma is a condition where airways narrow and swell, making it difficult to breathe and triggering wheezing and coughing.

According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, 8.3 percent of adults and children have asthma and those numbers have been increasing.

Emily Aronin (EM-ilee Aroh-nin) reports on the concerns behind Asthma in Atlanta with growing pollutants and construction emissions.

Tape log index of sound bites
TRT (3:16)
Liana Plotch
Emory University Student (:47)
Eri Saikawa
Emory University Professor (1:28)

Emily Aronin
12/9/18
Construction and Asthma
TRT: 3:16

 

NAT POP OR NATURAL SOUND (:02)

REPORTER VOICER (:17)

That cough is one practically everyone at Emory hears daily. Students and faculty complain that construction of a new campus life center is worsening asthma and coughing.

Emory University freshman, Liana Plotch (LEE-ana Ploch), comments on her pre-diagnosed respiratory condition.

 

SOUND BITE OR ACTUALITY (:11)
Liana Plotch
Emory University Student

About three weeks in I noticed that my asthma had gotten worse. Ever since I was a kid I’ve had asthma; however, being at Emory has caused me to cough more frequently than ever before.

 

REPORTER VOICER (:30)

This comes as no surprise considering the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America rates Atlanta as the worst city for people with asthma.

With the construction of a brand-new Campus Life Center underway, Emory has put forth months of resources and time. However, with this new building comes consequences like increased asthma. Professor at Emory University, Eri Saikawa (er-EE saik-awa) discusses how construction can affect our respiratory system.

 

SOUND BITE OR ACTUALITY (:07)
Eri Saikawa
Emory University Professor

So, the construction does cause a lot of dust and so the particulate matter is going to be the biggest problem.

 

REPORTER VOICER (:16)

Particulate matter are very tiny particles. They are classified by their size as either 10 or 2.5. Using a low-cost sensor, Saikawa is currently measuring particulate matter to see what impact the construction could be having.

 

SOUND BITE OR ACTUALITY (:23)
Eri Saikawa
Emory University Professor

So, we are looking at PM 2.5 especially those small particles less than 2.5 micrometers in aerodynamic diameter. The reason why was because of the construction in a way and tried to figure out if there are areas on campus that is having some kind of air pollution issues.

 

REPORTER VOICER (:24)

Saiwaka says they currently have six sensors and they’re placing them around campus to investigate.

The Emory University Student Center website only comments on the recycling practices of the construction in regard to sustainability. However, Saikawa argues faculty and students can take steps to prevent asthma and other respiratory illnesses.

 

SOUND BITE OR ACTUALITY (:16)
Eri Saikawa
Emory University Professor

I think that measures would potentially be for us to be wearing masks, not necessarily for the construction workers to do something about it because they cannot be putting water everywhere to reduce dust.

 

REPORTER CLOSING (:22)

In the future, Saikawa hopes that people recognize that you don’t have to travel far to see air pollution. Therefore, preventative measures should be considered.

As for students like Liana, it’s important to understand the dangers and utilize the preventative measures. Emily Aronin from Emory University.

 

(The photograph used is my own)