American Lung Association gives SBC an ‘A’ for low particle
pollution
The American Lung Association released its
”
State of the Air 2011
”
report last week, with San Benito coming in as one of the
counties with the best air quality in the state.
San Benito is one of only six counties to get an
”
A
”
for having a low daily level of particle pollution from
2007-2009, the most recent data.
American Lung Association gives SBC an ‘A’ for low particle pollution
The American Lung Association released its “State of the Air 2011” report last week, with San Benito coming in as one of the counties with the best air quality in the state.
San Benito is one of only six counties to get an “A” for having a low daily level of particle pollution from 2007-2009, the most recent data.
“Air pollution is a serious health threat to all Californians,” said Jane Warner, the president and CEO of the American Lung Association in California, in a press release. “California has made tremendous improvements in the fight for clean air thanks to the work of the state’s strong Air Resources Board and local Air Quality Management Districts, but work still needs to be done. Cleaning up pollution results in healthier air. Now is not the time to stop progress.”
The Central Coast region was one of the best in the state, and includes San Benito, Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and parts of Ventura County.
“This coastal region enjoys better air quality generally than many inland areas in the state,” according to the report. “However, transport of ozone pollution from more polluted areas in the state results in significant numbers of ozone days in four of the counties.”
To get an A for the number of ozone days, a county has to have less than 3.3 days over the three-year period. San Benito had a weighted average of five days.
The main causes of pollution in the Central Coast region included on-road and off-road sources, such as vehicles. There is direct pollution from tailpipe emissions as well as indirect emissions from paved and unpaved areas. Agricultural operations, such as burn piles and industrial operations, were also a source. The unhealthy ozone days were largely attributed to the pollution from bordering air basins in the Bay Area, San Joaquin Valley and Los Angeles.
While San Benito fared well, more than 90 percent of Californians live in counties with high levels of particle pollution or a high number of ozone days. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Riverside ranked No. 1 for ozone pollution with Bakersfield-Delano No. 1 for short-term particle pollution and annual particle pollution.
“Ozone and particle pollution levels today still contribute to thousands of hospitalizations, emergency room visits and early deaths every year,” said Sonal Patel, a volunteer physician for the American Lung Association in California. “We know that air pollution can literally stunt children’s lung development. People suffering from asthma and other lung and heart diseases are particularly at risk.”
To view a full copy of the report, visit www.lungusa.org/california.
Ten tips to lower pollution
Courtesy of the American Lung Association
Here are 10 basic steps you can take to help California reduce pollution and contribute to cleaner, healthier air:
1. Drive one less day per week, and bike or walk as often as possible.
Cut down on driving. Try out the bus or light rail if you have one in your area. Using public transportation, walking and biking are all great ways to clean the air and get healthier through exercise. Harmful motor vehicle and other transportation emissions account for more than half of all pollution on a statewide basis.
2. Conserve energy.
Turn off lights when you leave a room and only run your dishwasher when full. Replace your light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs. Only use the air conditioning or heater when necessary or automatically set the thermostat to go off when you don’t need it. Visit the Flex Your Power website to learn more at: http://www.fypower.org/
3. Ride a bike!
Biking – even just a few times a week – is not only great exercise, it’s a great way to decrease air pollution! Research your city’s bike routes and commit to replacing your car with your bike 1-2 times a week. Here are a few tips to help you stay safe on your bike: http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/tpp/offices/bike/safety.html
4. Reduce the amount of time you idle your car.
Idling for only 30 seconds uses up more fuel than restarting the engine. If you expect to idle for more than 30 seconds, turn off the engine and then restart (except in traffic, of course). Instead of idling in bank or restaurant drive-through lines, park your car and go inside. You will save fuel and prevent pollution! http://www.consumerenergycenter.org/myths/idling.html
5. Use a natural or propane gas grill for outdoor grilling.
This summer, cut down on outdoor grill use or use a propane or natural gas grill. The smoke a traditional barbecue grill creates adds to air pollution. If you do use a barbecue, use a metal chimney or electric probe instead of lighter fluid.
6. When washing clothes, wash in cold water.
A whopping 90 percent of the energy used by a washing machine goes to just heating the water. Washing clothes in warm or cold water will save you money and reduce your carbon dioxide emissions by 72 pounds in just one month!
7. Avoid burning wood.
Avoid use of wood burning in indoor and outdoor fireplaces. Just like tobacco smoke, wood smoke pollution is harmful to your health. Wood burning comprises 33 percent of particle pollution during the winter in some areas. Cleaner burning alternatives such as natural gas and electric fireplaces are available for the glow without the smoke!
8. If buying a car, consider a cleaner and more efficient electric or hybrid-electric car or a very low emission vehicle.
Every day, Californians drive 825 million miles – emitting 5.4 million tons of pollutants daily. Choosing a cleaner car has never been easier. Every new car in California now has an Environmental Performance Label showing how clean the car is for both smog and greenhouse gases. State and federal tax credits and rebates exist to encourage cleaner car purchases. From electric cars and hybrids to very low emission gas vehicles, cleaner technologies are available now. See www.driveclean.ca.gov for more details.
9. Purchase energy efficient appliances.
Did you know you could earn money while helping clean California’s air? When you replace your old, energy draining appliances (refrigerators, washers and air conditioners) for new Energy Star products you will receive a government rebate! Visit www.cash4appliances.org for more information.
10. Donate to the American Lung Association in California. The American Lung Association in California fights for your right to breathe clean air by pushing for policies to ensure a legacy of healthy air for California. We can’t do it without your su
