PETITION We, the undersigned, seek immediate testing of the air for manganese, nickel, chromium and other heavy metals, in comprehensive locations including Northwest and Southwest Berkeley near schools, due to recent data pointing to high levels of these toxins in Berkeley air.1,2 We require that such testing be conducted with stringent methodology and validity by an independent entity allowing for full transparency and scientific peer and public review. ******************* 1A December 2008 report by USA Today, using a federal EPA model for risk screening, showed the air near many Berkeley schools to be among the worst in the nation (compared to approximately 127,000 schools in the country.) http://content.usatoday.com/news/nation/environment/smokestack/index 2 A 2007 Berkeley study by the non-profit Global Community Monitor, approved by the Bay Area Air Management District, found levels of manganese and nickel many times higher than the levels deemed safe by the World Health Organization and the Federal EPA. http://www.gcmonitor.org