Celebrate May as Clean Air Month
San Diegans can be proud that we have taken action to improve our region’s air quality over the past two decades. The Equinox Center’s Regional Quality of Life Dashboard released earlier this year found that the number of days that air quality was considered unhealthy for vulnerable populations in the county was 40 in 2008, compared to 63 in the year 2000.
While this improvement in air quality is good news, parents of children with asthma or people who are taking care of an elderly relative know that even 40 days is too many. High levels of ozone and particulate matter produced by motor vehicle emissions can cause or exacerbate asthma and breathing problems in both of these populations. If we are not smart about how our region grows as we add more people in the next 20 years, air quality will worsen. If climate models are accurate, we will see an increase of hot sunny days in our region, with an increase in ozone pollution, and corresponding health problems.
Fortunately, there are many actions that all of us can take to do our part to keep the air clean and breathable for even our most vulnerable populations. To start, you can engage in the San Diego Association of Government’s 2050 Regional Transportation Plan Workshops being convened over the next two weeks. The Regional Transportation Plan sets the stage for the development of transportation networks within San Diego County, and connecting those networks to jobs, schools, homes, and other destinations. Follow these links to additional action items.
http://www.sdapcd.org/info/facts/10_ways.pdf
10 actions from the San Diego Air Pollution Control District you can take to help fight air pollution. #1 Tip: Reduce your driving. Combine errands, carpool, use public transportation, ride a bicycle, or walk. Telecommute or work longer hours fewer days a week.
www.lungusa2.org/sota/2009/SOTA-2009-Full-Print.pdf
American Lung Association’s 2009 State of the Air report giving extensive information on air pollution and its effects on health. Proposed policy initiatives for clean air can be found on pages 8 and 9.