Another factor that affects the Central Valleys air pollution is the rapidly growing population the region is experiencing. There are currently around 6.5 million people who live in the Central Valley, “According to the 2010 U.S. Census. Between 1990 and 2009, the population here grew 44 percent (compared with 24 percent growth statewide) (Jennings, 2010)”. These new residents are making the Central Valley their new homes largely because of the affordable housing. Coastal areas have much higher housing costs, making it more convenient to live inland. With an increasing population comes an increase in traffic in the region. The Central Valley also has two major highways with heavy traffic continuously driving through, the I-5 and Highway 99.
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According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency or EPA, “The San Joaquin Valley has some of the nation’s worst air quality, failing to meet federal health standards for both ozone (smog) and particulate pollution. Ground level ozone pollution has a corrosive effect on the lungs which may cause a decrease in lung functions while particulate matter such as soot, can enter the lungs and stick to them causing heart problems and breathing complications There are also several other health implications that can occur due to air pollution, some of those include, dry throat, chest pain and tightness, dry throat, head ache, nausea, and can also be more severe such as developing chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma and bronchitis (ValleyAir.org, n.d.). One of the health risks that is most common is Asthma. A health survey from 2001 by the California Health Interview Survey showed that there was a 24% higher prevalence of asthma in children in the San Joaquin Valley when compared to the rest of the state. In adults the survey showed that there was a 19% higher prevalence, overall there are approximately 110,000 children and 240,000 adults with asthma in the San Joaquin Valley alone. The State of the Air report shows that the counties within the Valley have the highest asthma rate in the nation. Premature deaths are also noted on the report, “there are over 400 premature deaths in the Valley annually related to air pollution which is roughly equivalent to the number of automobile related deaths.” It is estimated that between 14,000 and 4,000 Californians die prematurely every year due to the state’s air pollution (Cal/EPA, ARB 2008). Lastly, Valley fever is another health risk due to air pollution. Valley fever is caused by fungus in the soil that gets trapped in the air and can enter the body simply by the act of breathing. According to
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency or EPA, “The San Joaquin Valley has some of the nation’s worst air quality, failing to meet federal health standards for both ozone (smog) and particulate pollution. Ground level ozone pollution has a corrosive effect on the lungs which may cause a decrease in lung functions while particulate matter such as soot, can enter the lungs and stick to them causing heart problems and breathing complications There are also several other health implications that can occur due to air pollution, some of those include, dry throat, chest pain and tightness, dry throat, head ache, nausea, and can also be more severe such as developing chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma and bronchitis (ValleyAir.org, n.d.). One of the health risks that is most common is Asthma. A health survey from 2001 by the California Health Interview Survey showed that there was a 24% higher prevalence of asthma in children in the San Joaquin Valley when compared to the rest of the state. In adults the survey showed that there was a 19% higher prevalence, overall there are approximately 110,000 children and 240,000 adults with asthma in the San Joaquin Valley alone. The State of the Air report shows that the counties within the Valley have the highest asthma rate in the nation. Premature deaths are also noted on the report, “there are over 400 premature deaths in the Valley annually related to air pollution which is roughly equivalent to the number of automobile related deaths.” It is estimated that between 14,000 and 4,000 Californians die prematurely every year due to the state’s air pollution (Cal/EPA, ARB 2008). Lastly, Valley fever is another health risk due to air pollution. Valley fever is caused by fungus in the soil that gets trapped in the air and can enter the body simply by the act of breathing. According to