This report from American Lung Association of California's 2008 State of the Air came as no surprise to local activists, who have long been complaining about air quality in the San Joaquin Valley.
"We've been on the 'Top 10' list on these categories for as many years as I've been doing this work," said Mary-Michal Rawling, program manager of the Merced/Mariposa County Asthma Coalition. "We're not going to jump off the 'F' list in one year. We live in a polluted air basin."
Merced was one of seven metropolitan areas -- including New York City, Detroit and Chicago -- that landed on two of the three pollution lists.
But some of the news was positive.
The county received a passing grade for its long-term particle pollution. And the city of Merced improved its standing on the list of people at risk in the 25 most ozone-polluted cities.
The city last year was listed as the sixth most polluted for ozone. It fell to 17 this year.
"We do see improvements in some areas of the state, but levels of ozone and particle pollution remain high," said Gwendolyn Young, board chairwoman of the American Lung Association of California. "We have more work to do."
Ozone is a gas that forms when sunlight combines with the burning of sources such as gasoline. Particulate pollution is a mix of tiny solid and liquid particles in the air, which can come from dust and motor vehicle exhaust.
"It's a deadly cocktail that chocks our lungs ... like a clogged home air filter that hasn't been changed in years," said Dr. Tony Gerber, a volunteer with the Lung Association. "Besides threatening health, it also contributes to global warming."
These pollutants can aggravate asthma, heart disease, contribute to strokes and cause premature death.
Lung Association report grades for short-term particle pollution -- measured each day between 2004-2006 -- and ozone pollution are based on the Environmental Protection Agency's Air Quality Index. Long-term particle pollution was measured each year between 2004-2006, and its grading system was based on EPA violations.
Ozone was measured by an eight-hour standard.
Both Merced and Fresno counties saw improvements in their ozone standards this year. But that does not mean the air is clean, said Bonnie Holmes-Gen, senior policy director for the Lung Association.
"On the plus side," she added, "state and local efforts are making a difference. Levels are going down."
She attributed improvements to new engines and stronger emissions-control requirements in the Valley. The weather is also a factor -- summers have been cooler.
"If it's cooler, there's not as much ozone pollution," Rawling said. "We can just keep praying we have nice weather, or we could take some more aggressive measures to make sure (pollution) doesn't continue."
She made this statement from Fresno on Wednesday, where she and other activists awaited the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District's decision on its PM-2.5 plan. The district held a hearing to consider passing this plan to fight fine particle pollution.
Clean air activists say its measures to control emissions will not be stringent enough. Controls should be as strong as in Los Angeles County, which has received much attention for its bad air, they say.
Los Angeles remains the top city in the nation for ozone and long-term particle pollution, according to the Lung Association's 2008 report. Pittsburgh, Pa., was at the top of the list for short-term particle pollution -- the first time a city outside of California has taken this ranking.
Fresno is fifth on the list for ozone, followed by Merced in 17th place and Modesto in the 21st ranking. Mariposa, Sacramento and San Francisco counties joined Merced County for an F grade in high ozone days and short-term particle pollution.
Cleaner cities included Santa Barbara, and Alexandria, La., for short-term particle pollution; Redding, and Cheyenne, Wy., for long-term particle pollution; and Salinas and Eugene, Ore., for ozone.
Reporter Dhyana Levey
can be reached at (209) 385-2472 or dlevey@mercedsun-star.com.
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