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Air quality in Merced The San Joaquin Valley has the worst air pollution problem in the U.S. Merced is the 6th most ozone-polluted city in the U.S. Bad air quality means more than a smoggy view of the Sierras. In Fresno, 29% of children have asthma; on average, more than one in five Valley kids has asthma. Every year, an estimated 3,000 Valley residents die prematurely as a result of non-attainment of air quality standards. We live in the midst of a public health crisis caused primarily by diesel trucks. Ozone and particulate non-attainment causes cancer, asthma and permanent lung, heart and brain damage. As a result, we’re hospitalized and miss school and work more often. We are proud to live in Merced, a young, multi-racial, working class community. Youth, low-income residents, and communities of color should not experience a disproportionate burden of health impacts of air pollution. Who is most affected by air pollution in the Valley? Latino: Particulate pollution is 36% higher in mainly Latino areas than mainly Anglo areas. Working class: Particulate levels are 17% higher in neighborhoods with more low-income residents than average Children (& elders): More vulnerable, 22% of SJV kids diagnosed with asthma
Fact: Only 10-18% of air pollution in the Valley comes from the Bay Area; the vast majority is caused by the tens of thousands of daily car and heavy-duty truck trips on Highway 99. Proximity matters Many studies have shown that our health worsens the closer we live to sources of pollution like diesel trucks. It isn’t until you live at least 1,500 feet away from concentrations of diesel and car traffic that fine and ultrafine particulate levels return to ‘normal.’ By siting the distribution center near Pioneer and Weaver schools and many new homes, Wal-Mart is using our lungs to subsidize their profits. - The 2006 McConnell study found that children living within 250 feet of a major road have a 50% higher risk of experiencing asthma symptoms
- The 2007 Gauderman study found that children who live within 1500 feet of a major road have higher rates of permanent lung damage
- The 2006 Meng et al study found that asthmatic children and adults who live near heavy traffic are three times more likely to be hospitalized
- In Sept. 2008, University of Cincinnati researchers released the first nationwide study of health risks associated with school proximity to traffic. The survey of 8,800 schools found that nearly 1/3 were located in an "air pollution danger zone," or sited a quarter mile from a major road.
Is Wal-Mart green? Wal-Mart, the wasteful, sprawl-inducing giant, has made an effort of late to reduce its impact on the environment. - The majority of trucks using the distribution center will be older, high-polluting non-Wal-Mart independent trucks. If it wants to move to Merced, Wal-Mart should be required to retrofit all of the trucks using its facility. It’s not ‘green’ to dump pollution on local residents in order to save money!
Our vision: Clean air Every Valley resident deserves to breathe clean air as soon as possible. That’s why SWAT has been active in advocating that the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District adopt tougher rules and not further delay ozone and particulate attainment. We’re proud members of the Central Valley Air Quality Coalition, a vibrant, growing coalition of over 85 environmental and community-based organizations who are strong advocates for our right to breathe clean air. The Merced-Mariposa County Asthma Coalition officially opposes the proposed distribution center as well. To join the Asthma Coalition or find out more about how to manage your asthma, call 385-5490.
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