M3.4 Air Pollution
In my zip code, the top polluters include Tyco Thermal Controls L.L.C., South Bay Marble Inc., Peterson Prods., Discovery Partners Intl. Chemrx Div., and Equilon San Francisco Terminal. The major pollutants in my zip code includes Syrene, Methyl Ethyl Ketone, Acetonitrile, Methyl Tert-Butyl Ether, and Dichloromethane. Only 1 percent of houses in my zip code have a high risk of lead hazards, and there are currently no Superfund Toxic Waste sites that are on the EPA's National Priority List of Superfund sites. It's scary to know that in 1999, my country was ranked among the dirtiest/worst 10% of all counties in the U.S. in terms of pm-2.5 emissions because of Browning-Ferris Industries and Raychem Corporation. I was shocked to learn that the water quality isn't as clean as I thought it would be with about 80-90% of surface waters with impaired or threatened uses due to pesticides, sediments, and pathogens. On a social/environmental justice basis, my zip code also has people of color more at risk due to releases of toxic chemicals cancer risk from hazardous air pollutants compared to whites. I thought that my county would have been decently healthier in terms of air and water, but I believe it may be because it is a city in the San Francisco Bay Area.
It looks like we have similar results with air and water quality. I was also very surprised! Especially the water was much dirtier than I expected. But I agree, living in the busy city within the San Francisco Bay Area it makes sense that there are a lot of pollutants disrupting air and water quality.
ReplyDeletehey Matt,
ReplyDeleteI too thought that our air and water would be healthier because of living in or near a big city (innovators/tecky people). it does make sense though that, that is not the case because the city can be harmful to the environment with all the people, construction, and vehicles (traffic) in it.