Arvin, California: Home to the Most Polluted Air in America

The small town of Arvin, California seems unlikely to be famous for having the most polluted air in America. However, it is the sad reality its residents must face. The town lies in a rich agricultural region full of vineyards and orange groves. Arvin is a picturesque place, surrounded by mountains and wonderful views. Unfortunately, it is also the final destination of air pollution from the bigger cities.

Oddly enough, Arvin is not home to any of the factories that dump pollution in the air. Neither does it have any congested freeways. In fact, Arvin produces very little air pollution of its own. However, air pollution from big cities such as Las Angeles and San Francisco blows to the area and gets trapped by the surrounding mountains. This causes a whole slew of problems. The effects of these pollutants becomes even more evident during hot days.

It is obvious the polluted air is affecting the residents of Arvin. The most common complaints are asthma and other respiratory problems. The exact data is not known, but experts believe that Arvin has a childhood asthma rate that far exceeds both the state and national average. Other common complaints are watery eyes, dry throat, cough, and allergies. Many residents say the air smells toxic. The large amount of pollution contributes to the area's poor air quality, especially when it is hot out. Many parents do not let their children play outside when it gets too warm because they fear for their health. Many people find themselves wearing masks outside when the air quality becomes particularly poor.

Arvin has a very high level of ozone, the primary component in smog. Between 2004 and 2006, Arvin's level of ozone exceeded the EPA's acceptable amount on an average of seventy-three days per year, the highest average in the nation. In April, the air-quality board voted to extend the deadline to meet federal ozone standards, despite all of the health concerns. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger publicly criticized the California Air Resources' decision to approve the extension. The EPA is currently considering the extension.

The future of Arvin, its air-quality, and its citizens' health is now up in the air. Many people believe the reason Arvin has been neglected is because the majority of the residents are poor, many of whom are Hispanic farm workers. However, Seyed Sadredin, executive director of the valley air district, denies the allegations telling the Associated Press, "Everything we've done here is for Arvin, but unfortunately, Arvin will see progress later than any other area because that's where pollution flushes out of the valley." In the meantime, residents are doing whatever they can to reduce their exposure to the dirty air, even if it means moving. Unfortunately, resident Ana Maria Corona is having to do just that. She has lived in Arvin for the past four years and in that time has been hospitalized seven times for her asthma. Now, she and her husband are looking for a new home in Arizona. "It's not easy for us to leave this place," she told the Associated Press. "But what is my future here? What is the future of my children?"

Source

Associated Press

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