Deceptive phone calls about Nishi’s air quality “mitigation”

By Thomas A. Cahill

Davis citizens are reporting phone calls from the pro-Nishi folk implying that I support their proposal just because they are using the ultra-fine filters we developed in their mitigation efforts.

In fact, I strongly oppose the Nishi proposal since the mitigation they propose will be grossly inadequate to address the severe air quality conditions at Nishi. The 95% mitigation they mention is based on work in a wind tunnel, not dwellings.

The best we have been able to achieve in occupied dwellings is well below 50%, and thus seriously inadequate to mitigate the Nishi air quality threats.

Further, to assume that the students will tolerate cowering in hermetically sealed boxes with no balconies, patios, or windows that open is wishful thinking at best, and a lousy quality of life for the students.

Students deserve to live in a healthy environment.  Please join with me in voting No on Measure J, No on Nishi.

Thomas A. Cahill is Professor Physics/Atmospheric Sciences, UC Davis