Regional Dashboard
Air Quality - Unhealthy Days for Elderly & Children
photo: Sam Hodgson, Voice of San Diego
What is the measure?
Number of
days air quality is considered unhealthy for children and older adults in San
Diego County, based on EPA’s standards and air quality index.
How are we doing?
The number of unhealthy air quality days in
San Diego due to ozone and particulate pollution decreased from 28 in 2009 to
19 in 2010 – the lowest in 10 years. The improvement in air quality can be
attributed to reduced traffic volumes and decreased emissions linked to the
economic recession, as well as favorable meteorological conditions. Despite the overall positive trend, San Diego County still exceeds federal
ozone pollution standards periodically and some parts of the County,
particularly near border crossings, high traffic freeways or major industries,
still experience higher levels of certain pollutants that can lead to air
pollution-related illnesses such as asthma.
(Right-click the images to view in full size.)
Why is it important?
- Poor air quality brought about by pollution from transportation and industry can have harmful effects on the health of residents, particularly children, older adults, pregnant women, and those with limited access to healthcare.
- Healthcare costs for pollution-related illnesses (totaling $193 million annually in California) impact taxpayers, drive up health insurance premiums and increase costs for individuals and employers who contribute to their employees’ health care coverage.
- Children who live in communities with high levels of pollution tend to have higher instances of asthma, often resulting in higher hospitalization rates, missed school and therefore, lower overall opportunity.
How can we improve?
Policy Options:
- Support pedestrian and bicycling infrastructure to reduce traffic congestion and decrease pollution near highways.
- Consider proposals to designate neighborhoods hardest hit by pollution and lack of economic opportunities as “green zones" that could foster public/private partnerships to create clean jobs in underserved neighborhoods.
- Promote the development of local renewable energy sources and less polluting biofuels such as algae.
- Support climate change mitigation and adaptation policies to help reduce fire risk and related air quality impacts (see Climate Change Indicator).
- Incentivize development of innovative, less polluting biofuels such as algae.