February 3, 2005
San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Worsens
New Report Warns Recent Steps Not Enough to Avert Future Public Health, Economic Crisis
Fresno, CA—The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) and the Steven and Michele Kirsch Foundation today released the report Clearing the Air in San Joaquin Valley that projects a startling forecast for the future of San Joaquin Valley skies. Despite recent positive steps taken to reduce air pollution in the region, complex factors unique to the Valley, have created a situation where air quality is not only getting worse but will become the nation's dirtiest if an all out assault is not launched.
"Simply following other regions' approaches to pollution control will not solve the Valley's air problem," said UCS analyst and report author Dr. Louise Wells Bedsworth. "The Valley's unique geography, weather patterns, rapid population growth and jurisdictional loopholes require a campaign on multiple fronts to turn this situation around. Valley residents have to demand aggressive, cutting edge tactics from policymakers on all levels or they will wind up with air that makes them sick."
During a press conference held at the Community Medical Center's Asthma Education and Management Program, Dr. David Pepper outlined the impact of ozone and particulates on public health. "We are already seeing a dramatic rise in childhood asthma in this area-catapulting us to the highest rate of asthma in the state-but that is just the beginning. Recent studies show long-term permanent lung function damage, as well as cancer, resulting from toxic particulate matter lodging deep in the lungs."
Carolina Simunovic, Environmental Health Project Coordinator of Fresno Metro Ministry underscored the impact on the Valley's most vulnerable residents, which includes a high proportion of Latinos. "Rates of asthma, lack of insurance and childhood poverty are higher here than the State as a whole. As the air grows more polluted, our poor, our young and our old suffer the most."
"This report illustrates the air quality woes facing the region's residents. Now elected and appointed officials representing the Valley need to step up and start solving this public health and environmental emergency," added Susan Frank, Vice President, Public Policy, with the Kirsch Foundation, the report's funder and co-author.
The report outlines the multiple colliding factors that put the Valley on a crisis path: Counties in the San Joaquin Valley will continue to face the state's highest population growth, doubling current population by 2050.
As population grows, vehicle-miles-traveled grow. Even as emissions from some stationary pollution sources have been reduced, emissions from non-stationary sources like cars, trucks, and consumer products have increased.
While violations of the national 1-hour standard for ozone have decreased in recent years, the number of days exceeding the state 1-hour and federal 8-hour standard has displayed no evident downward trend.
The number of violations of state and federal particular matter standards are not decreasing.
For the last five years (1999-2003), the Valley has exceeded the new, more protective federal 8-hour ozone standard on more days than any other region in the country, including the greater Los Angeles region.
Fresno, location of the worst air quality in the region, is home to the highest rate of childhood asthma in the state.
Air pollution damages crop quality and yield, reducing revenue and employment in the valley. A California Air Resources Board (CARB) study estimated that valley harvest of grapes, cotton, tomatoes, oranges and alfalfa were reduced 10-20 percent as a result of air pollution. Agriculture accounts for 21 percent of the income in the Central Valley, and from 9 - 31 percent of the employment in valley counties, well above the statewide average of two percent.
The UCS-Kirsch Foundation report outlines the aggressive tactics for policymakers at all levels required by a war on pollution: - The State Legislature should create seats for public representation on the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District; establish secure maximum funding for state and local incentive-based air quality improvement programs; mandate state and local planning agencies address all sources of air pollution; and focus on sources of pollution outside the Air District's jurisdiction.
- CARB must develop and implement the strongest possible regulations for all remaining fleets under the Diesel Risk Reduction Plan; develop stringent passenger vehicle regulations; implement new on-road and off-road diesel engine regulations; and implement strong regulations to limit greenhouse gas emissions from passenger vehicles.
- The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District and other local officials must develop and implement an effective, comprehensive and stringent indirect source mitigation fee program; develop innovative programs to address sources of emissions associated with the region's growth through regional coordination of land use and transportation planning; and improve public outreach and input on rule development.
- Valley residents should continue to make their voices heard at the local and state level, including attending meetings of the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District.
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