While the Clean Air Coalition of Western New York’s bucket brigade isn’t stacking sand to fight a flood, they would argue the air samples their buckets collect could save lives.

The CAC has spearheaded several air monitoring projects in Tonawanda, and now is setting its sights on helping DuPont and Kaufman aveneue residents find out what is going into their lungs and where it’s coming from.

In late July, homeowners on those roads began inexplicably waking up sick, and they believe nearby industrial plants are the cause. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and health department officials came to the houses to investigate complaints that foul odors and soot are the culprits, but have yet to make any concrete assertions. Work by the CAC using modified buckets to draw in air samples that could then be tested led the DEC to start taking a closer look last year, said CAC Director Jackie James.

“That data that we presented to the DEC got us our four air monitors,” James said. “Because we stood up, said there’s something wrong with our air and took samples.”

The DEC installed monitoring in the town last July to examine the contents of the air at different times and on each day of the week. Early findings included a higher than normal level of the carcinogen benzene, and two of the four monitors were kept operational to collect more data. But those at the CAC meeting were worried the DEC posting its monitoring schedule on-line lets companies plan around the tests.

Mary Moore, one of the residents who complained in July, attended the CAC’s Tuesday meeting and made several suggestions for documenting the negative effects of air pollutants, including having blood and urine tests done during or immediately after any illness.

“Our quality of life has been ruined by these plants,” Moore said.

Moore and others said the worst of the odors occur at night and in the early morning. That’s also when people are suddenly feeling nauseous and they worry that by the time the DEC is able to send someone to investigate, polluters have stopped releasing whatever made them sick. So the CAC assembled some concerned people to put monitoring tools into the hands of people who need them, said Co-director Adele Henderson.

“We’re placing the three buckets strategically,” Henderson said. “They’ll be in the keeping of one person, but if there’s an incident where you have to take a sample you have to call two other people in the group to do it together.”

The process is strict, with participants expected to document the entire process with forms and photographs. At least two people have to be present for the event so there’s a witness, and considering the usual hours the smells occur early morning wake-up calls are to be expected. With each sample analysis costing $500, things have to be handled carefully.

But taking air samples isn’t the only way to get involved. The CAC handed out notebooks to the assembled group and asked them to document anything they think is out of the ordinary. Glen Ratajczak listed all of the things people should be recording for their letters to the DEC, including their location, air direction and speed, how long the incident occurs, any smells or tastes they encounter and what effects the incident has on their bodies.

“It’s important to be very specific,” Ratajczak said. “The biggest thing about documenting an episode is getting as much information as you can. Even things that you don’t think are important might be.”

Ratajczak’s wife Jennifer echoed those sentiments, relating a recent trip to DEC headquarters where she found an empty folder for complaints relating to the area. To create a lasting record that gets the DEC’s attention, she said it’s important for residents to send letters documenting their personal experiences.

“I know some people are making calls and e-mailing, but that doesn’t guarantee your complaint is recorded or kept,” she said.

For more information or to participate in future CAC events, visit www.cacwny.org or e-mail jackie@cacwny.org.

Contact reporter Daniel Pye at 693-1000, ext. 158.