News Release

____________________________________________________________

November 22, 2005

Boise State Professor Studies Snowmobile Emissions in Yellowstone National Park

Snowmobile use in Yellowstone National Park has been a hotly contested issue for many years. For decades, recreational users and environmentalists have debated everything from the intended purpose of the state park designation and the proper uses of America�s outdoor playgrounds, to the environmental danger posed to visitors.

In the case of snowmobiles, the debate goes beyond these issues to include health and safety concerns. The recent implementation of restrictions on the number (720 per day) and type (four-cycle) of snow vehicles allowed in the park each day was designed, in part, to address concerns that the machines� emissions were adversely affecting air quality, and thus park employees� health.

For a recent study commissioned by the National Park Service, Dale Stephenson, director of Boise State University�s environmental health program, teamed up with Terry Spear from Montana Tech of The University of Montana to see if park employees were indeed being exposed to dangerous levels of chemicals and particulants due to snowmobile use in the park.

Monitors were set up over the Martin Luther King and President�s Day weekends, when the park is at peak winter capacity. Monitor sites were at entrance gates, at the Madison warming hut and inside the mechanic shop at Mammoth Hot Springs.

Surprisingly, results of that study show little to be concerned about. Levels of several contaminants, including aldehydes, hydrocarbons, carbon, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and more, were well below Occupational Safety and Health Administration exposure limits. Results were also significantly less than those measured in previous studies, most likely due to the new restrictions placed on snowmobile use.

During the study, the researchers experienced a certain amount of resistance and negativity from area residents, who feared it would lead to further restrictions and a corresponding hit on the area�s economy. �We stayed at West Yellowstone,� Stephenson said. �It�s a small town, and people found out what we were doing. We had to explain the project very carefully.�

Based on the outcome of this study, Stephenson and Spear will recommend a similar study of automobile emissions during the summer months. It�s estimated that 3 million people visit the park each year, most of them in automobiles. Stephenson is also planning a local study of noise contamination on snowmobile riders this winter.

-30-
Contact: Dale Stephenson, Department of Community and Environmental Health, (208) 426-3795, dalestephenson@boisestate.edu
Media Contact: Kathleen Craven, University Communications, (208) 426-3275, kcraven@boisestate.edu
 

 

The Office of Communications and Marketing - Boise State University
1910 University Drive - Education Building, #726 - Boise Idaho 83725-1030

208-426-1577
(fax)208-426-4001

email communications@boisestate.edu

Last reviewed on Thursday, December 22, 2005