Long exposure shot of waves crashing into the tall cliffs along the Southern California coast at sunset on a windy day, Golden Cove, Rancho Palos Verdes, California
Around the country, there are some troubling hotspots that show us the ongoing effect of air pollution at its worst.
One such area is around the ports of Los Angeles, where communities like Long Beach continue to face challenges with polluted air.
An article in CalMatters shows how a particular family came from Mexico to West Long Beach in the 1980s, and experienced some of the symptoms of contaminated air from diesel trucks, ships and equipment. It also shows long-term efforts by environmental advocates to try to do something about the issue.
“We’ve been urging the South Coast air district for years, many years, to adopt a strong, indirect source review rule for the sea ports,” said Bill Magavern, a policy director for the environmental group Coalition for Clean Air, as quoted in the article. “The response from the district has been disappointing (and) we see that the ports drag their feet and delay action.”
Regulatory Efforts
Now, something is happening. Writer Alexandra Reyes-Velarde cites a draft of a law from the South Coast Air Quality Management District that would put together plans within the next two years to switch over to electric power for major pieces of equipment. It references standards set in 2017, and sets an ambitious track for zero emissions by the end of the decade.
But it faces challenges, as Reyes-Velarde’s pieces explains, writing:
“Complicating the cleanup of the two ports is that their tenants, not the harbors’ management, will have to buy and use the new cargo equipment. The ports will install the charging networks and redesign terminals. The total cost is unknown, but the Port of Long Beach alone estimated that the changes would cost the port and its tenants upwards of $1 billion.”
Legal Language
Other challenges include decrypting the language in the bill; for example:
“Each Port shall include an assessment of cost estimates and potential funding sources to build out the additional Capacity of On-Port Energy Supply analyzed pursuant to (e)(2)(A)(iii).
The assessment shall consist of the following: (i) Estimated total costs expected to be incurred by the Port, any third-party under Contractual Agreement to conduct On-Port operations including but not limited to Marine Terminal Operators, and/or any Energy Supplier, as well as a breakdown of the estimated total costs inclusive of costs for charging and fueling equipment, Construction, labor, insurance, taxes, financing, engineering and design, environmental clearance and permitting, land acquisition, administrative costs, and other cost categories as appropriate.
More here:
The cost estimates shall satisfy all criteria as specified in the following: (A) Cost estimates shall not include costs of operating and maintaining the Operational Charging or Fueling Infrastructure; (B) Cost estimation shall describe key methods and sources of information used; (C) Cost estimation shall identify which costs are anticipated due to compliance with existing federal, state, and local requirements, which costs are anticipated due to existing City or Port policies, and which costs are anticipated only due to other Planning Targets specified in the Plan; (D) Cost estimation shall include an approximate schedule of when costs are expected to be incurred by year, from the first year of cost incurrence to the last Target Year of all Planning Targets specified in the Plan, and (E) Cost estimation shall identify which entity is expected to be the Primary Payer of each cost, regardless of funding sources.”
That’s not easy to read, and it might be even harder to implement.
Taking a read of this shows how hard it can be to really zero in on success with a clean air program.
Is It Really That Bad?
The same article shows that one fifth of all nitrogen oxide emitted in the L.A. area is released in the two port communities. That affects nearly a half a million people, who may need to spring for asthma inhalers or struggle with chronic conditions like bronchitis.
This paper cites a life expectancy gap of eight years for residents in the thickest parts of the smog cloud, compared to neighborhoods further away from the port, but a Reddit post has locals contending that the longevity gap is more like 17 years.
Those are tricky statistics to prove, but there’s a consensus that the air pollution in those neighborhoods can be a detriment.
A Lot of Pollution
If you imagine all of the trucks spewing diesel exhaust into the environment, and take a look at pictures of the haze sitting over the city, it’s pretty daunting.
“We’re breathing this all in,” says a 73-year-old Long Beach resident in a news piece from 2021. “You can see it. You can smell it. It’s dirty.”
Assessing Port Air Problems
Looking at freight hubs and other similar communities is a first step. Some recent years have been busy ones for the ports, where much of the equipment is run by diesel. That’s a big part of the program – switching over these high-emissions engines to electric motors. But that takes money. Drayage companies are trying to adapt, but sometimes it looks like a long time horizon.
Despite hundreds of millions of dollars in funds from state and federal sources, including a $412 million grant from the US EPA to electrify components, stakeholders struggle to define a real timeline for this project. And meanwhile, the people suffer.
Symptoms of Pollution-Related Conditions
All of that air pollution can cause respiratory problems and related illness.
Residents might notice things like:
· Trouble breathing
· Congestion
· Sore throat
· Coughing
· Itchiness in the throat
· Nasal irritation
· Asthma
In addition, they might experience symptoms similar to allergies, where the culprit is really these unseen contaminants in the air around them.
Your Indoor Air
If you live in one of these communities, that pollution is probably seeping into your indoor air as well, at least to some extent.
Certain contaminants get trapped within a home or other building and can build up over time.
These include industrial emissions like PM 2.5 and nitrogen oxide, as well as volatile organic compounds and natural things like dust mite debris and pet dander.
That’s not to mention mold and mildew that come from uncontrolled dampness.
Measuring Air Pollution – And Fixing the Problem
The first step is to use an air monitor to figure out what’s in the air. Then you can use an air purifier machine such as an Airpura V700 or similar unit to remediate any existing problems. Some of these types of portable models may also be useful.
Keep in mind that SCAQMD maintains a program called the Residential Air Filtration Program that might help out with any issues that you have as a household. It’s worth looking into.
Let U.S. Air Purifiers help with this and all aspects of your purchase. The Lulay Team at USAirPurifiers is a family and veteran owned U.S. business, and we are truly here to help with your best interest in mind. Our team will help you to cleanse your indoor air, and get a better result with modern technology that fights air pollution where it lives – and where you live, too! Make an investment in your health and the health of your family, to breathe easier all day and all night.