4—The Daily Collegian Friday, Feb(lo, 1984
Coal industry says environmentalists all wet about acid rain
By NAN CRYSTAL ARENS
Collegian Staff Writer
The debate about whether or not acid
precipitation is a threat to human health
and the environment rages on between
environmentalists and the coal industry.
"There is no doubt that there is acid rain,
but there is no scientific data linking dam
age to acid rain itself," said Tony Ercole,
executive vice president of the Pennsylva
nia Coal Mining Association. "The scientific
community as a whole has not found any
link between acid rain and public health."
Tom Doman, acid rain commission chair
man for the Pennsylvania Council of Trout
Unlimited said, "It's not just dead fish
anymore it's crops, forests and human
health."
Doman, also University research assis
tant in biochemistry, molecular and cellular
biology and microbioloby, said there are
several ways acid precipitation can affect
human health.
Breathing acid droplets and sulfate parti
cles could cause irritation in the nose and
mouth, said Larry Blaser, information spe
cialist for the Heart, Blood and Lung Insti
tute for the National Institute of Health.
"It's very difficult to say how much dam
age would be done because that depends on
the concentration," Blaser said.
Continuous exposure to acid in high
enough concentrations could also cause ero
sion of the mucus membranes in the upper
respiratory system, Blaser added.
He said it was impossible to say how the
lungs themselves would be affected because
that would depend on the type of acid
involved as well as the concentrations.
Metals such a aluminum and manganese
are leached out of soil and bedrock when the
pH of ground water is low enough to make
the metals soluble, Doman added. Alumi
num taken into the body can cause Alzheim
er's disease, a severe impairment of
neurological functions, Doman said.
Nancy Parks, conservation chairwoman
for the Moshannon Group of the Sierra Club,
Dance Marathon dinner to be held this Monday
By KRISTINE SORCHILLA
Collegian Staff Writer
thing was wrong while he was partici
pating in the regional diving
The Interfraternity Council will championship for Carlmount High
begin Dance Marathon activities with School in Belmont, California, 20
the Dance Marathon 'B4 Kickoff Din- miles southeast of San Francisco.
ner on Monday night at Gatsby's, 100 "I was lying in the sun waiting for
W. College Ave. my turn to dive when I looked down
Proceeds from the Feb. 17 to 19 toward my feet, and I noticed that one
marathon will benefit the Four Di- side of my abdomen was protruding,"
amonds Fund for children with can- Levinson said.
cer at the Hershey Medical Center. He said he then lost.all concentra-
The guest speaker at the dinner will tion on his diving and lost the meet.
be IFC President Adam Levinson, About one week later he told his
who was diagnosed as having a rare doctor about the protrusion in his
form of cancer at age 15. abdomen.
You are invited:
ROME
8 pm February 10'.
•
26 Mineral Sciences
"The Death of Raphael and the Transfiguration"
Prof. Kathleen Weil-Garris Brandt
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For more intormation contact
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said aluminum becomes soluble at a pH of
5.0. Therefore, when the pH of ground, lake
or stream water reaches 5.0, aluminum in
the surrounding soil dissolves and is carried
into the water where it can be taken up by
living creatures. At a pH of 3.0, 100 times
more acidic than normal, many species of
fish can no longer survive in a polluted lake
or stream.
Precipitation falling on Pennsylvania to
day has a pH of approximately 4.1, which is
40 times higher then normal, Doman said.
"Heavy metal contamination in itself is a
problem," Doman added, "(Acid in precip
itation) is taking lead and copper out of
pipes."
In a study done in Clarian and Indiana
counties by William Sharpe, assistant pro
fessor of forest resources, water in domestic
roof-catchment cisterns was examined for
lead, copper and acid content. The study
concluded that water running from the taps
was abgire the legal levels of lead and other
metals after it was allowed to sit in the pipes
overnight, Sharpe said.
Roof-catchment water systems channel
rain water into concrete holding tanks for
domestic use, Sharpe said. This type of
system is often used in areas including
some rural areas in Pennsylvania where
public water is not available and ground
water is polluted. Sharpe said the water is
usually not treated before it is used in the
home.
"The problem that comes into play with
acid precipitation is the rain water is corro
sive," Sharpe said. Water containing acid
can remove copper from plumbing and lead
from pipe joints causing high levels of these
metals in the drinking water.
Twenty percent of the systems examined
contained amounts of lead exceeding allow
able levels and 30 percent contained unac
ceptable levels of copper, Sharpe said.
"You can have a fairly high concentration
of lead in the water," Sharpe said, adding
that lead is highly toxic to humans.
"They consider this a significant health
problem when people have this type of
Levinson said he first noticed some-
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water system," Parks added.
Acid* in precipitation results when sulfur
dioxide or nitric oxides from industrial
emissions combine with water vapor in the
atmosphere to form sulfuric and nitrous
acid.
Sulfur dioxide and nitrous oxides are by
products of high temperature combustion of
some fossil fuels, Doman said.
Precipitation is usually slightly acidic, •
Doman said. Normal rain water is 5.6 on the
pH scale due to mild carbonic acid formed
from naturally occurring carbon dioxide in
the atmosphere, he added.
"(Ecological) systems have evolved on
earth.to deal with the acidity of rain, but
since 1900 there has been a quantum leap in
acidity," Doman said. •
Carbonic acid is not as dangerous to the
environment because it is a "weak acid,"
meaning it does not readily break apart in
water to release hydrogen ions, Parks said.
Sulfuric acid, the kind formed from sulfur
dioxide, is a "strong acid" because it sepa
rates into its constituent ions very easily.
Parks said it is the increase in hydrogen
ions present in the environment that causes
acidity.
Although it is almost impossible to point to
a single effect and name , acid precipitation
as the sole cause, Doman said the effects of
acid rain are an environmental danger.
Doman said although higher concentra
tions of acid have been deposited since fossil
fuels became important during the industri
al revolution, the effects are only now show
ing up because the environment's natural
buffer system counteracts the acid deposi
tion.
In many areas of the country, calcium
carbonate in limestone bedrock effectively
neutralizes the acid in precipitation and
ground water, Parks said. The Pennsylva
nia's center region is protected in this way.
In the Northeast, however, the bedrock
base is primarily granite, which has little or
no buffering capacity, Parks said. As a
result, the Northeast was designated as a
"sensitive area" by the National Academy
Levinson was then given about 10 paralyzed as a result of the operation.
different types of tests, including a Also, in most cases where the tumor
liver scan, ultra sound and dye injec-
was removed, it grew back again,
tions, to determine the cause. Levinson said.
During the final test, which was a Levinson said he became angry
biopsy; he said the doctors found a about his predicament at first, then
benign tumor about the size of a small later upset until he finally accepted
football which had completely wrap- his situation.
ped around his spine. This rare form Levinson will tell about his diagno
of cancer, known as fibromatosis, . sis and cure during the Kickoff Din
was only the 19th case recorded in ner. Tickets for the dinner are $l5 a
California and at that time had no person and will be available until 5
successful cure. today in the Dance Marathon Office,
An operation to remove the tumor 216 HUB. A cash bar will be held
could be performed, but there was a before the dinner at .Mr. C's, 112 W.
95 percent chance that he would be College Ave.,
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of Sciences in 1981.
While the limestone buffering action is
helpful, the limestone soil has a finite capac
ity to neutralize acid precipitation, Parks
said.
Doman said, "If you've done titration in
chemistry class, you'll see that you can add
acid and add acid, then all of a sudden
boom you're over the edge and you have
an acid solution. I think we're teetering on
the edge in the environment."
Doman said once the environment has
exceeded it's acid buffer limit, the effects
will be irreversible.
"In 10 to 15 years people are going' to see
things start happening and people are going
to say 'why didn't we do something?' "
Doman said.
"The effects are innocuous and subtle, but
they are there," he said.
Doman said one third of the fresh water
streams in Pennsylvania will be devoid of
/ life by the end of the century if acid deposi
tion continues at its present level.
"How do you convince people?" Doman
said. "I work with trout fishermen and I
have trouble getting them to do anything
and they know what is going on."
The productivity of some crops such as
winter wheat have been shown to decline in
PENN STATE
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If 'love is all you need,'
here's the Dating Game
For all aspiring greek Romeos tend for a 50-cent admission fee.
and Juliets who desire. a date for Today is the last day to submit
Valentine's Day, Gamma Phi Beta applications for the 128 positions
sorority will sponsor its first Dat- available for the game.
ing Game at 10 Sunday morning in She said any fraternity or sorori
-301 HUB. ty member wishing to participate
•
Virginia Townsend, incoming
philanthropy chairman of the so
rority, said only members of the
greek community may participate
in the event, but anyone may at
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the presense of high concentrations of sulfur
dioxide in the air, Parks said. Although no
direct effects have been observed, many
scientists believe the sulfur dioxide (and
resulting acid) may make it more difficult
for some plants to overcome other stresses
such as drought or insect attack, Parks said.
Eva Pell, professor of plant pathology,
said there are not enough positive results to
draw conclusions on the effects of acid
precipitation on crops.
"I think people. are looking for these
answers," Pell said. "Nobody wants to fund
research, though."
Pell said the most serious potential prob
lem with acid rain would be damage to the
plant foliage. This damage could reduce the
crops' resistance to fungal infection, insect
damage and other airborne pollutants. Pell
also said acid rain has been shown to wash
away pesticides.
Heavy metal leaching might be a lesser
problem with domestic crops because farm
ers often lime soil and thus negate the
effects of acid precipitation, Pell said.
"There is not question that heavy metals
are toxic to plants, but (with liming) you
may be eliminating the problem before it
starts," Pell said.
may pay a $7 fee and complete an
application in the Gamma Phi 4 1
Beta suite, 108-S Haller Hall.
—by Kristine Sorchilla
Senate to vote on funding bills
remainder of the construction.
In the past the authorities could not
finance projects through direct loans. ,
The state Senate is expected to vote , The authorities financed construction
next week on two bills that would through tax-free bond and the school
provide more varied financing ar- or college then transferred a share of
rangements for many state public the project to the authority. The au
educational institutions, possibly in- •thority then leased it back to the
eluding the University. school until the bond was paid, Jac-
House bills 1616 and 1617, unani- '
mously approved by the House Jan.
24, would, for the first time, allow the
Pennsylvania Higher Educational
Facilities Authority and the Pennsyl
vania Public School Building Authori
ty to make loan or mortgage
agreements, said Rep. Stephen F. Gov. Dick Thornburgh is expected
Freind, R-Delaware County, co-spon- to take action today on two Senate
sor of the bill. bills that would repeal Pennsylva-
Recipients include school districts, nia's no-fault auto insurance system,
community colleges, state colleges Assistant Press Secretary Jeanne
and universities in the process of ' Schmedlen said yesterday.
making improvements, beginning Thornburgh has until Sunday to
new construction or making capital take action on Senate Bill 942, which
equipment purchases, Freind said. would dramatically change Pennsyl
"The legislation would provide vania's auto insurance law. Under
more flexibility in financing and this bill, auto insurance coverage
would save time," Freind, a member would no longer be mandatory, al
of the board of directors of both though non-insured drivers would
authorities, said. "It will update ar- have to prove to the Department of
•chaic laws that put our people at a Transportation that they have assets
disadvantage."worth at least $47,500 in case of liabili
,
George Lovette, the University's ty.
associate senior vice-president in fi- Thornburgh objected to sections of
nance and operation, said Penn State the bill so legislators passed Senate
would consider using the PHEFA in Bill 300 Wednesday in a hurried com
addition to its other financing ar- promise. The bill settles five of
rangements if the bills become law. Thornburgh's objections to Senate
The University did not use the Bill 942:
PHEFA in the past, Lovette said. • The minimum mandatory cover-
Construction at the University is fi- age for bodily injury, which was $5,-
nanced primarily through the Penn- 000 under Senate Bill 942, increases to
sylvania Department of General $lO,OOO.
Services. The Centre County Higher • The minimum required liability
Education Authority and other fi- (third party) coverage, which would
. nancing arrangements support the have increased under 942, remains at
By GWEN FITZGERALD
Collegian Staff Writer
j ,
11
Past University president to address engineers
Former University President Eric A. Walker will be Week is "Engineers: Partners for Progress," which
the guest speaker at a banquet Feb. 18, that introduces emphasizes the engineers' important role as problem
National Engineers Week, Feb. 19-25. solvers in our country, said Jack Seeley, Executive
The banquet, co-sponsored by the University's Col- Director of the Pennsylvania Society of Professional
lege of Engineering and the Institute of Electrical and Engineers.
Electronics Engineers, is open to the public. Each student engineering society will send one
Reservations should be made today by calling Donna student, selected by Wilbur L. Meier Jr., dean of the
Schroyer, coordinator of activities in the College of College of Engineering, as a guest of the college,
Engineering, at 865-1831. Schroyer said.
The banquet will begin with a cash bar cocktail hour Walker, former dean of the College of Engineering
at 7:30 p.m. at the Nittany Lion Inn. Cost of the dinner and head of the department of electrical engineering,
is $l3. will speak on "The Failure of the Engineer."
The theme for the national celebration of Engineers —by Lisa Etkin
STATE COLLEGE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
tl; t ' 132 West Beaver Avenue
z 238-2422
Harry L. Strong, Pastor
--- William A. Evertsberg, Seminary Intern
Worship Services Sunday 9:00 and 11:00 A.M.
College-Age Sunday . School Sunday 10:00 A.M.
College-Age Fellowship Wednesday 7:00 P.M.
******* * * * * * * *
* Club
ar Astronomy *
..
*Open * House *
*
*
Friday, Feb. 10, 7:30-11:00 p.m.
* 6th Floor Davey Lab *
* Cloud Date Sat., Feb. 11, Same times *
*
* Sponsored by the • Penn State 'Astronomy Club *
*
and Astronomy Dept.
* Rl5B
******** * * * * * * *
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Master Cara & Hours
Visa Welcome Lunch Mon-Sot'. 11:30-2:00
Dinner Mon.-Thurs. 5-9
Fri. & Sat. 4:30-10:00
University could reap benefits
Thornburgh may halt no-fault
By BEVERLY IVENS
Collegian Staff Writer
queline Morrow, staff attorney for the
authorities said.
"The bills provide financing for
schools and colleges without causing
a burden on them," Morrow.
The new legislation would make the
authorities more competitive with
other lending institutions, Morrow
added.
$15,000 per person and $30,000 per
accident.
• The minimum work loss benefit
coverage, which would have been
eliminated under 942, will be $5,000.
• A minimum of $1,500 in funeral
benefit coverage, which exists under
current law but not in bill 942, is
established.
• The procedure insurance com
panies would go through tit file rate
changes is modified. Under current
law, the .state must review and ap
prove rate changes before insurance
companies may implement them.
Under 942, companies would have a
one-year period in which they could
file rate changes and implement
them immediately, without state ap
proval. Senate Bill 300 limits the state
to a 45-day review period. If within
that time no decision is made, insur
ance companies could institute the
change.
Although Thornburgh also objected
to the lack of a minimum threshold
figure for pain and suffering suits, he
wrote in a prepared statement to Sen.
Robert Jubelirer that he was willing
to accept legislation that does not
include the $750 threshold the current
law mandates.
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Dairy Day to butter up egg-stra
ithe Penn State Dairy Science Club
will hold its third annual Dairy Day
Mall Promotion from 10 a.m. to 8
p.m. tomorrow at the Nittany Mall.
The milk and dairy product promo
tion is a response to declines in dairy
product consumption, said. Thomas
Sweeney, an adviser to the Dairy
Science Club.
Programs for the day include a
livestock exhibit, a Cow Mooing Con
test and ice cream and butter making
demonstrations.
Ice Cream Eating Contests are
scheduled for 11:00 a.m. and 7 p.m.
and a skit will be performed at 11:30
a.m. and again at 3:00 p.m.
A Celebrity Cow Milking Contest
featuring Nittany Lion football play
ers Scott Radecic and John Walter
will be held at 2 p.m.
In addition, free samples of ice
cream, milk, butter and other dairy
products will be available throughout
the day, Sweeney said.
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The Daily Collegian Friday, Feb. 10, 1984-5
uyers
—by Anita J. Katz