Clean Air News

Fresno is poised to face a tougher fight against smog pollution, according to a new report, "Hot and Smoggy: The Ozone-Hot Weather Connection in Eight California Cities," released today by Environment California Research & Policy Center. 

“Global warming means more than melting glaciers and rising sea levels. It is also about the quality of our air and the quality of our lives,” said Advocate Jason Barbose, author of Environment California Research & Policy Center’s latest report.  “The Central Valley is one of the smoggiest places in the country, and it could get dirtier as the climate warms.”

Using temperature and air quality data from the California Air Resources Board, Hot and Smoggy examines the correlation between temperature and air quality in Fresno and seven other locations in California between 1997 and 2006.  Key findings include:

• In Fresno, ozone levels exceeded the state 8-hr health standard for ozone 84% of the days that the daily high was at least 100°F.
• In Fresno, ozone levels exceeded the state 1-hr health standard for ozone 75% of the days that the daily high was at least 100°F.
• In Fresno, ozone levels exceeded 1-hr health standard for ozone 43% of the days that the daily high was between 95 and 99°F, and 18% of the days that the daily high was between 90 and 94°F.

"The link between global warming and air pollution is clear. Hotter days make for dirtier air,” said Carolina Simunovic, Environmental Health Director for Fresno Metro Ministries. “This makes achieving clean air in the Valley especially difficult, and those with health problems will face the double burden of heat and air pollution related illnesses if we don't do something to stop it."

With worldwide emissions of global warming pollution increasing each year, temperatures are expected to rise in the coming decades, anywhere from 3 to 10°F by the end of the century. Scientists predict that higher temperatures from global warming will make efforts to reduce smog pollution more challenging due to the fact that heat and sunshine accelerate the chemical process that forms ozone.

“When the thermometer passes 100°F, Fresno will almost certainly suffer a bad air day.  As global warming causes temperatures to rise, we will see more smog unless we swiftly cut air pollution today,” warned Barbose.

Successful implementation of the state’s “State Implementation Plan” for federal ambient air quality standards is critical to reducing air pollution in the Central Valley and the rest of the state.  Key sources to reduce ozone-forming pollutants include passenger vehicles, trucks, agricultural equipment, dairies, pesticides, construction equipment, ships, port trucks, and locomotives.

"We've made some significant strides in our battle against unhealthy air in Fresno, but we still have a long way to go.  This report shows just how important a cause this is and I encourage every person in the Valley to pick up a copy and read it," said Fresno City Councilmember Henry T. Perea (Dist. 7).