Particulates

Hefty economic costs, new hospital admissions causes linked to daily PM2.5 exposure

The below Nov. 27, 2019 press release from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Hospitalizations for several common diseases—including septicemia (serious bloodstream infection), fluid and electrolyte disorders, renal failure, urinary tract infections, and skin and tissue infections—have been linked for the first time with short-term exposure to fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5), according to a … Read more

Measuring transpo. emissions: Per-mile or per-gallon of gas burned. Which is more useful and why it may matter

It’s no secret transportation emits more greenhouse gas pollutants (carbon mostly) than any other single sector and that emissions from transportation worldwide are on the rise. And, it should be no mystery either that for every gallon of gasoline burned in an internal combustion (IC) engine, 19.64 pounds of carbon dioxide from said burning is … Read more

$130 million provided Calif. bus owners; part of VW Environmental Mitigation Trust program

The below Oct. 21, 2019 news release is from the California VW Mitigation Trust. Today [Oct. 21, 2019], the first Volkswagen (VW) Environmental Mitigation Trust funding program launched for projects throughout California. The Zero Emission Transit, School, and Shuttle Bus program provides $130 million to replace internal combustion engine transit, school, and shuttle buses with … Read more

A mode less traveled – rail: What it affords that roads don’t – Part 2

A concluding thought in “Road expansion or repair: Can either do anything to lower burden on air?” (Part 1) had to do with whether road-based projects – expansion or repair thereof – could have “an air-remedying effect.” Affirmative is the answer. Though “yes,” it’s conditional. A new overpass used to replace a physical intersection, for … Read more

Dirty air: What it means for cities, regions

Each year since 2000 the American Lung Association has released its annual “State of the Air” report. The purpose of such is to bring to the attention of the public and others the condition or “state” of air in America. Part of the report deals with American cities known for having the poorest quality air … Read more

SJV in autumntime: 2nd of two lulls between heightened episodes of fine PM, smog

There is a chill in the air. The smog in it – the air – is fading. Not because of diminishing daylight but, presumably, on account of lower ambient levels of heat. That could change; Monday in Fresno is forecasted to be 91 degrees. Parents picking up their children from schools in air-conditioned automobiles are … Read more

On differing air pollution perspectives – it’s all in how we see things

Brief intro: Anytime a newspaper article (report or opinion piece) appears dealing with the subject of air pollution in terms of it helping to bring about greater awareness to the people reading, I applaud such effort. Read all about it! One article, “Health of Stanislaus County residents is more important than Trump’s ego,” an opinion … Read more

Air-quality news potpourri: A 2019 grab bag of anything and everything air-quality-news related

I don’t know why, but in 2019 it seems like there are more earth-moving air-quality-news-related items than usual. And, the year isn’t even over yet. The American Lung Association in April issued its latest findings of the quality of America’s air in its 20th annual “State of the Air” report as well as in a … Read more

The polluted, pristine, the in-between: Diverse California

California is America’s 31st state. Synonymous with opportunity the Golden State is and has been that way since day 1. But California is also a land of contrasts: The highest of highs – Mount Whitney (14,505 feet in elevation); the lowest of lows – Death Valley (at a -280 feet); and the in-between – all … Read more