For immediate release: March 31, 2006

GALVESTON, Texas — Galveston’s history includes many firsts. It is the home of the state’s first medical and nursing schools, and the state’s first post office and insurance company. Starting April 1, Galveston became the first community in the nation to add an environmental alert flag to the flag warning system that advises beachgoers of hazardous water conditions.

Residents will see the new orange flag flying on local beaches when air quality becomes a health hazard. The flag will be deployed on the city’s 26 lifeguard stands and seven freestanding system stations from East Beach to 9 Mile Road. The environmental warning flag is the result of a coalition of several organizations: the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Center at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston County Sheriff’s Department Beach Patrol, Galveston Park Board and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

This model program is the first in the nation to enlist lifeguard participation in any environmental public warning system, said Albert Chavarria, a coordinator of special programs in UTMB’s NIEHS Center. He believes it may be adopted by other locations in Texas and the nation.

“There are environmental triggers that are serious concerns for asthmatics, for the elderly and for people with heart or lung disease,” said Sharon Petronella, an environmental epidemiologist and a faculty member in UTMB’s Pediatric Child Health Research Center. “Adding the orange flag to the warnings on the beach is a precautionary measure that we can take to protect precious and vulnerable populations.”

There is scientific evidence that Galveston and specifically Galveston beaches have good air quality. Prevailing winds keep fresh air moving across the island. “Harmful air quality is unlikely, but if such conditions arise, there is now a system in place to alert the public,” she said.

Petronella, whose research focuses on childhood asthma, approached the Galveston Beach Patrol to help implement this community based initiative.

“It is important that people realize this is not an alarmist reaction to a crisis,” she said. “There is no imminent crisis. This is purely a preventive measure.”
The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
UTMB Media Hotline (409) 772-NEWS
John Koloen: (409) 772-8790 jskoloen@utmb.edu