DNREC exhibiting at the Health Hook-up Community Day in New Castle on June 27

NEW CASTLE – The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control will showcase exhibits highlighting air quality monitoring and home energy savings at the 15th annual New Castle Avenue Health Hook-Up Community Day on Tuesday, June 27 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Bowlerama and Canaan Baptist Church parking lots located at 3031 New Castle Avenue in New Castle. The festival is sponsored by Each One Teach One, the nonprofit organization working on creative solutions for healthier living.

DNREC’s Division of Air Quality will feature information on its Moveable Monitoring Platform, a van equipped with instruments to measure air quality. Scientists will explain the air monitoring study currently underway in the Eden Park and Hamilton Park communities. Using the air quality data collected there, DNREC will work with industry and community leaders to find opportunities to improve local air quality.

DNREC’s Division of Energy and Climate will have an educational display on home energy savings and weather-proofing your home. Staff will provide information about the Weatherization Assistance Program, a free program for income-eligible households where certified contractors make home improvements that result in healthier, more comfortable, and more energy efficient homes.

At the festival, DNREC is partnering with the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH), the Wilmington Area Planning Council (WILMAPCO) and the Air Quality Partnership of Delaware (AQP). DPH will provide information on the Delaware Healthy Homes program and explain the harmful health effects of air pollution. WILMAPCO will present information on the recently released Route 9 Corridor Master Plan that includes recommendations for environmental protection and improving community health and livability in the area. The AQP will present information on local air quality and the simple actions people can take to make our air cleaner.

The festival aims to promote healthy lifestyles and increase awareness of the many resources and services available for preventing, detecting and treating HIV/AIDS, heart disease, diabetes, and alcohol and substance abuse addiction . The event will feature information tables, personal health screenings, local entertainment, educational games, free food, giveaways  and a free drawing to win a  gift card.

For information on air quality monitoring, visit DNREC’s website at http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/Air/Pages/Air-Quality-Monitoring-Homepage.aspx or contact Renae Held, environmental scientist with DNREC’s Division of Air Quality, at 302-739-9402 or Renae.Held@delaware.gov.

For information on DNREC’s Weatherization Assistance Program, visit de.gov/wap. Additional questions can be directed to Cheryl Gmuer at the Division of Energy & Climate by phone at 302-735-3480, or by email at Cheryl.Gumer@delaware.gov.

For more information on the Health Hook-up Community Festival organized by Each One Teach One, visit their website http://each1teach1de.org/ or contact Alyson Lang, executive director, at 302-345-8744 or LangNY88@cs.com.

Media Contact:  Melanie Rapp, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902