A healthy environment assessment of Keene, New Hampshire

In a healthy environment all life thrives, recovery from perturbations occurs, and there is long-term ecological integrity. The components of a healthy environment form a web of complex interdependent relationships whether the study subject is a cell, an individual organism, an ocean, planet Earth, or a city. The environment of Keene, New Hampshire, is the subject of this study. Ten indicator categories: air, water, land use, waste, energy, transportation, business and industry, occupational health, community health, and city government are the foundation of this healthy environment assessment. Data are presented on selected indicators in each category from city, state, and federal reports and from interviews with government and organizational representatives. A healthy environment in Keene is indicated by a number of positive findings: general compliance with National Ambient Air Quality Standards; abundant supply of clean water; a significant percentage of open and protected land; a recently upgraded solid waste/recycling facility; energy conservation awareness including participation in the Rebuild America program; traffic redesign in process with development of a multi-use trail system for alternative transportation use; light manufacturing and some industry pollution prevention initiatives; few hazardous jobs and good health and safety compliance; a community health council committed to improving human health; and a city government committed to maintaining a healthy environment and economic vitality. Findings indicating that a healthy environment in Keene may be at risk include: seasonal high levels of ground-level ozone and particulate matter; seasonally high drinking water levels of trihalomethanes; open space lost to development for industry and commerce; household hazardous waste generation and high poundage per day per capita of solid waste; primary reliance on nonrenewable energy sources; minimal public transportation; potential hazardous material transportation incidents; business and industry hazardous waste generation; workplace chemical exposures; and potential compromise of Master Plans. The environmental indicator model used in this study has potential for measuring and tracking Keene's environment and for acting as a tool for policy development aimed at improving and preventing decline of the city's healthy environment. Communities beyond Keene may find this healthy environment model useful.