Debunking the myths of air quality
Environmentalists have mourned it. Comedians have lampooned it. And we all
breathe it. But is the Valley’s air really that bad? Myths and misinformation
have clouded the issue for far too long, so test your knowledge of the Valley’s
air pollution problem…and let’s clear the air once and for all.
Myth #1: Air pollution is a minor problem for the San Joaquin Valley.
Fact: In summer, smog muddies our skies. In winter, Tule fog traps harmful
particulates. Fresno County has historically shared with Los Angeles the
dubious distinction of having the nation’s worst air quality.
Although factories and refineries have reduced their emissions by more than half
in recent years, numerous smaller sources, including agriculture and
development — are now regulated for air quality.
The Valley faces several deadlines that, if missed, will threaten millions of
dollars in federal transportation funds and continue to jeopardize the health
of its residents.
Myth #2: Few people are at risk from the Valley’s poor air quality.
Fact: Everyone is susceptible to the harmful effects of air pollution. Smog can
reduce lung capacity and the body’s ability to fight infection. And the rate of
asthma diagnoses in the Central Valley is higher than the San Francisco Bay
Area and the Los Angeles region — in fact, it’s three times higher than the
national average.
Research from the University of Southern California finds that children who
compete in sports in polluted communities are more likely to have asthma than
other children; elevated levels of particulate matter can cause early death;
and long-term exposure to the ozone can permanently damage children’s lungs.
The bottom line: If you breathe, you’re at risk.
Myth #3: Cleaning the air is too expensive.
Fact: Fresno County’s poor air quality makes it difficult to attract new
businesses and employees, creating the perception of a poor quality of life
that’s too expensive not to fix. It’s a matter of short-term expense or
serious, long-term problems that no amount of money will remedy.
Myth #4: It’s someone else’s fault.
Fact: While pollutants come into the Valley from the Bay Area and get trapped in
the region due to topography, they are not the top contributor to the Valley’s
air pollution. Every day, our air quality is affected by our individual
choices: from driving a car to turning on an air conditioner, from running a
gas-powered lawn mower to operating a leaf blower. Driving and personal energy
use — activities well within our control — are two of the most significant
contributors to air pollution. In fact, about 60% of the Valley’s ozone problem
is attributed to vehicle use.
Myth #5: There is nothing one individual can do to clean the air.
Fact: The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District is governed by a
board of elected representatives who are accountable to their constituents.
Individuals have placed air quality at the forefront of policy discussions
during the past decade and individual effort will help attain our air-quality
goals.
There are many ways individuals can modify their habits that will immediately
reduce air-pollution emissions. For some of these, visit
www.valleyair.org
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