|
May 1, 2003
Contact:
Andrew Weisser, (818) 703-6444
aweisser@earthlink.net
or your local American Lung Association
at (800) LUNG-USA. www.californialung.org
NOTE TO MEDIA: Beginning 5 p.m. EST on Wednesday, April 30, you will have access to b-roll/video content about the State of the Air report. The story and any video are embargoed for airing until 12 a.m., Thursday, May 1. Please log on to www.thenewsmarket.com to preview and request the video. From this site you can search, preview and then receive broadcast standard video — digitally, by tape or satellite via the APTN Global Video Wire. Registration and video ordered on the site is free to the media.
28 California Counties Receive F Grades for Ozone Air Pollution According to State of the Air Report
American Lung Association Raises Awareness About Cleaner Transportation Options during Clean Air Month in May
View/Download the State of the Air Report 2003 report (with California data).
(1.1MB PDF - requires free Adobe® Acrobat® Reader)
Related Links: May is Clean Air Month | Action Alert: Stop New Rules to Weaken the Clean Air Act | Tips for Fighting Air Pollution in Your Community | Campaign Print Ads for Newspapers, Newsletters & Magazines | Cleaner Vehicles | More Clean Air Month Links: Clean Air is Everyone’s Business: Cleaner Options are Here Now
Every year the American Lung Association assesses the toll ozone places on our nation’s ability to breathe and issues a report. The 2003 State of the Air report is based on Environmental Protection Agency data on ozone levels from 1999 to 2001, the most current quality assured available. Counties are assigned grades A through F based on how often their air quality crosses unhealthful standards. Nationwide, 93 counties saw their grades improve while 26 counties received lower grades this year.
For the fourth straight year, the top four most ozone-polluted metropolitan areas were in California. They included: Los Angeles-Riverside-Orange County, Fresno, Bakersfield, and Visalia-Tulare-Porterville. Also in the top 25 most polluted areas were Sacramento-Yolo at sixth place followed by Merced and then San Diego at number 20.
"We have to stop driving ourselves sick," said John Balmes, MD, who serves on the American Lung Association of California’s Clean Air Technical Advisory Group and is division chief of Occupational and Environmental Medicine at San Francisco General Hospital. "Motor vehicles are creating too much ozone and smog and it’s hurting our lungs. Some years look better than others due to weather patterns, and some counties have improved, but the fact is millions of Californians are still breathing unhealthy air."
Air pollution is a regional problem. Counties that received better grades than others might very well be contributing to air pollution in other areas.
San Luis Obispo County improved from an F to an A while Glenn County went from a C to a B. Contra Costa, Orange, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, and Solano counties moved from Fs to Ds. San Benito County improved from a D to a C and Sonoma County improved from a D to a B.
Counties receiving F grades this year included: Alameda, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, El Dorado, Fresno, Imperial, Kern, Kings, Los Angeles, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Nevada, Placer, Riverside, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Joaquin, Shasta, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tehama, Tulare, Tuolumne, Ventura, and Yolo. For a complete 2003 State of the Air Report, visit www.californialung.org/.
Ozone air pollution, or smog, irritates the lung lining and causes inflammation. A comprehensive study of children in Southern California indicates that ozone air pollution may actually cause asthma. It has also been associated with decreased lung function and increased respiratory illnesses and asthma attacks.
Nearly 4 million Californians live with lung disease, a leading cause of death in America that is growing faster than almost any other leading killer. The American Lung Association is committed to reducing the rising death rate, and fighting air pollution is one way to do that.
Motor vehicle exhaust from gasoline and diesel-powered engines is a major source of air pollution. Switching to cleaner-fueled vehicles such as electric, natural gas, hybrid-electric or fuel cell is one way to reduce air pollution.
May is the American Lung Association’s Clean Air Month and the organization is launching a major public information campaign in California to raise awareness about the need for everyone to work to reduce air pollution and the availability of cleaner transportation options. "Clean Air is Everyone’s Business: Cleaner Options are Here Now" is this year’s theme.
The American Lung Association has been working in California to encourage governments and businesses to switch their fleets to cleaner-fueled vehicles. More than 35 cities and counties in California have adopted cleaner transportation policies, resolving to buy cleaner-fueled cars, vans, buses and trucks. Businesses are also making the switch to cleaner-fueled vehicles.
"We need to drive less and make sure the cars we do drive are the cleanest possible," Dr. Balmes said.
The American Lung Association of California is encouraging the public to support available hybrid-electric vehicles and to demand that car companies make hybrid-electric vehicles in more models, including SUVs, as soon as possible. The American Lung Association of California has a list of recommended cleaner-fueled vehicles on its Web site at http://californialung.org/spotlight/vehicles.html.
Other air pollutants that result from motor vehicles include diesel exhaust and particulate matter. Diesel exhaust has been linked to lung cancer and in 1998, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) formally listed diesel particulate as a toxic air contaminant. In fact, diesel particulates are the most significant source of air toxics in California and account for 70 percent of the cancer risk from toxic air contaminants statewide, according to CARB. Diesel exhaust can also exacerbate lung diseases such as asthma and emphysema.
Particulate matter is among the most harmful of all air pollutants. When inhaled, these tiny particles can lodge deep into the lungs. Particulate matter has been linked to increased asthma attacks, increased hospitalizations for respiratory and heart conditions, and lung cancer.
Recent research has also linked exposure to relatively low levels of particulate matter with premature death. Those at greatest risk are the elderly and people with pre-existing respiratory or heart disease.
Every Californian can make a difference in the fight against air pollution by driving less and making their next vehicle purchase a cleaner-fueled vehicle. Carpooling, riding bikes and walking more, taking the train and bus whenever possible, and test driving an electric, natural gas or hybrid-electric vehicle are other ways to improve air quality and health.
For more information about local Clean Air Month activities and tips to reduce air pollution, contact your local American Lung Association at 1.800.LUNG.USA or www.californialung.org.
The American Lung Association, which has been fighting lung disease for nearly 100 years, is one of the only voluntary health agencies that advocates for clean air policies. With the generous support of the public and the help of our volunteers, we have seen many advances against lung disease. However, our work is not finished. In our second century, we will continue to strive to make breathing easier for everyone. Along with our medical section, the California Thoracic Society, we provide educational programs, community service, advocacy and research. The American Lung Association's activities are supported by Christmas Seals and Chanukah and Kwanzaa e-Greetings, along with other voluntary contributions. For more information, visit www.californialung.org.
# # #
Clean Air Month 2003 Links
28 California Counties Receive F Grades for Ozone Air Pollution According to State of the Air Report
-- American Lung Association Raises Awareness About Cleaner Transportation Options during Clean Air Month in May
(News Release -- May 1, 2003)
State of the Air Report 2003 report (with California data).
(1.1MB PDF - requires free Adobe® Acrobat® Reader)
American Lung Association Raises Awareness About Cleaner Transportation Options During Clean Air Month in May
-- "Clean Air is Everyone’s Business: Cleaner Options are Here Now"
(News Release -- April, 2003)
Print Ads: There’s Even More You Should Know About Diesel
View or Download Ads
Clean Air is Everyone’s Business
Tips for Fighting Air Pollution in Your Community
Cleaner Vehicles
Clean Fleets Program & Zero-Emission Vehicles Information
Recent Scientific Findings on Health Effects of Air Pollution and Diesel Exhaust
California Air District Resource Directory
Frequently Asked Questions About Diesel Technologies and Fuels
Particulate Matter Air Pollution - There’s Even More You Should Know About Particulate Matter
Public Health and Diesel
Fact Sheet
Renewable Energy - There’s Even More You Should Know About Renewable Energy
There’s Even More You Should Know About Smart Growth, Urban Sprawl, Air Quality and Health
Fact Sheet
Clean Air Month 2003 Proclamation
Sample Proclamation for California Cities & Counties
Milestones in Air Pollution History
American Lung Association Timeline
Cleaner Fuels -- There’s Even More You Should Know About Cleaner Vehicles
Environmental Justice
Fact Sheet
Position Statement: Reducing Public Exposure To Diesel Emissions From Heavy Duty Vehicles
Air Quality Fact Sheets
|