What Pollution Does to Arvin, CA & Beyond

[Astronuc]

How bad can it be?

Well, if you lived in Los Angeles, or Houston or Pittsburgh (other large metropolitan or industrial area) in the 1960's and 1970's, you'd have a good idea.

http://airnow.gov/

Calif. farm town is nation's smoggiest
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/smog_town

ARVIN, Calif. - Lying in a rich agricultural region dotted with vineyards and orange groves, this central California community seems an unlikely place for a dubious distinction: the most polluted air in America.

Hemmed in by mountains, Arvin is the final destination for pollutants from cities as far away as San Francisco Bay, and its wheezing residents are paying the price. Many of them complain that the air smells toxic.

. . .

Arvin has none of the smoke-belching factories or congested freeways of cities such as Los Angeles. In fact, it produces little pollution. But the pollutants that blow in from elsewhere get trapped by the mountains, causing airborne particles to coat homes and streets and blot out views of the nearby Tehachapi range on hot summer days.

Doctors and public officials say asthma and other respiratory problems are common among the 15,000 residents who live 20 miles southeast of Bakersfield. People complain of watery eyes, dry throats and inexplicable coughs, particularly in the summer, when temperatures can climb over 100 degrees and stay there for days.

Arvin's level of ozone, the primary component in smog, exceeded the amount considered acceptable by the EPA on an average of 73 days per year between 2004 and 2006. Second on the EPA's list was the Southern California town of Crestline, at 65 days. The San Francisco Bay Area averaged just four days over the same period.

. . .

We have a similar problem in the area where I live. Pollution travels in from the NY Metropolitan and NJ areas, and we sometimes exceed max. allowable levels of ozone and other pollutants. One can 'taste' as well as smell the foul odor.

 

[Evo]

The worst air pollution I've experienced was in Bankgkok, Thailand.

 

[ravenprp]

It is a form of acid rain.



The effects of pollution in Arvin, CA and beyond can be severe and far-reaching. The high levels of ozone and other pollutants can lead to a range of health problems, including respiratory issues, eye irritation, and even cancer. These effects are not limited to just Arvin, but can also affect surrounding areas as the pollution travels and gets trapped in the mountains.

In addition to the negative impact on human health, pollution also has detrimental effects on the environment. It can damage crops, harm wildlife, and contribute to climate change. The pollution in Arvin and other areas can also have economic consequences, as it can deter tourists and businesses from visiting or setting up shop in the area.

The situation in Arvin serves as a warning about the dangers of pollution and the need for strict regulations and measures to control it. It is a reminder that the consequences of pollution are not limited to just one area, but can have a ripple effect on surrounding communities and even the entire planet. It is important for individuals, industries, and governments to take responsibility and work towards reducing pollution for the health and well-being of current and future generations.