Alma Antonio-Aquino

Professor Jaya Dubey

Writing 39C

Commented [AA1]: Lacks proper MLA formatting.

Air Pollution in Fresno: The Root Contributors and Its Impact on a Growing Population

Lowering air pollution in Southern California and the San Joaquin

Valley would save more lives annually than ending all motor vehicle fatalities
in the two regions, according to a new study.(Huffington Post).
To illustrate its point, the study conducted in 2008 by CSU Fullerton, noted that the

Commented [AA2]: The to illustrate is not necessary.

Remove it.

California Highway Patrol recorded 2,521 vehicular deaths in the San Joaquin Valley and South
Coast Air Basin in 2006, compared to 3,812 deaths attributed to respiratory illness caused by
particulate pollution. (Huffington Post) This study is seven years old, when the San Joaquin
Valley, primarily Fresno was ranked amongst the most polluted cities in the nation. However if
the same study were to be conducted in 2015 similar results would most likely appear given that
Fresno has consistently been ranked through the past years as the number one most polluted city
in the nation.
The problem of air pollution in Fresno, California has always been addressed in state
reports and in national air quality investigations but has been handled by local air quality board,
which has ultimately mishandled the severity of the issue and its implications. It wasnt until
2008 that air quality in Fresno became a state and national concern, raised by local concerns
from citizens and researchers alike who have connected bad air quality as a serious contributing
factor to health problems and to the decreasing quality of life. The problem remains unresolved
despite local policies established to regulate air quality exposing the lack of effort from Fresnos
agencies and citizens to improve air quality, as well as the power that local corporations wield in

Commented [AA3]: Speculation weakens the argument

either prove it with solid evidence or remove it.

order to undermine the current standards in place, which unfortunately will continue to endanger
the lives of those living in the area.
Historically, Fresno has consistently been ranked amongst the most polluted cities in the
nation. Earlier this year the American Lung Association released their findings on Air Pollution
based on the evidence the organization gathered through 2011, 2012, and 2013. These findings

Commented [AA4]: This entire paragraph seems like a

thesis that has perhaps been rushed into, there is no
buildup to the thesis, perhaps change the order, and add
more historical evidence to the essay before introducing the
issue at hand.
Commented [AA5]: Maybe consider to enrich the
historical research and put it above the last one since talking
about historical events can be used as a background and a
starting point of your entire timeline.

allow the organization to evaluate air quality throughout the nation. In these findings Fresno was
ranked as being the number one most polluted city in the nation year round as well as being the
number one most polluted city in the nation with short term particle pollution. (State of the Air)
This however is not new news to those residing in the San Joaquin Valley, as air pollution has
been a prominent problem in the area, however this issue has become more noticeable in recent
years due to the long term consequences that has affected the area.
Currently, there is a large part of the population in Fresno that either have some type of
respiratory or cardiovascular disease or are at a high risk of developing such disease as a result of
bad air quality. In most instances the most widely affected group of people are children and the
elderly, especially those who live in areas more likely to be closer to the source of the pollutants.
Although their health problems cannot solely be blamed on the air quality of the city it is without
doubt the leading significant factor that affects the health of its inhabitants. In fact, one in six
children in the San Joaquin Valley is diagnosed with asthma before the age of 18, an epidemic
level. Currently in Fresno County, approximately 176,000 children and adults have been
diagnosed with asthma. (California Breathing). Although this number may not seem like a
staggering number in a county that houses over a million residents most of these affected
residents come from families with low socioeconomic status, making obtaining adequate health
care quite difficult on their own. Thus they rely heavily on state and federal funds to subsidize

Commented [AA6]: Add more to the historical evidence

and solidify argument with reliable sources

their needs. This of course is the governments obligation to provide social services to those
without the funds to incur them themselves. However it should be noted that having bad air
quality comes at a high expense given that as much as $1,600 are spent annually per person in
the San Joaquin Valley of tax payers money to take care of health care issues (Huffington
Post).With a population of over one million citizens in the San Joaquin Valley, the tax money
being spent on health care is rather quite an astonishing number. Take a look at the tables
showed below, this is comparison between the asthma hospitalization rate in 2008 and 2013.
Below are two bar graphs, a line graphs that demonstrates a trend between 1998 through 2013 of
asthma hospitalization rate in the Fresno County per 10,000 citizens. (Kidsdata.org). Although
not all of these individuals were recipients of government funded health care, the number of
individuals in need of health care due to asthma complications is alarming.

The Asthma Hospitalizations in Fresno County in 2008 per 10,000 citizens.

The Asthma Hospitalization in Fresno County in 2013 per 10,000 citizens

Commented [AA7]: The information in these section

does not connect well with the thesis and is rather quite
incorrect.

Asthma Hospitalizations, by Age Group from 1998-2013

However the money that is being given to those individuals who do not have sufficient
funds to pay for their own health care is money that can be reapportioned to other sectors that
depend on federal funding such as education. Yet because the funds are needed more
immediately in the health care sector this money can no longer be used for alternative programs.
Improving air quality in Fresno is not only significant in terms of decreasing the carbon footprint
that it is creating but is also vital in order to improve the health and the economy of the area.
Another area that is considerably being affected by the air quality in Fresno is crop yield

Commented [AA8]: This information is incorrect and

does not use the visual representation adequately to solidify
claims made in this paragraph/

per acreage which is inducing agricultural losses to the local and state economy. According to
the Economic Assessment of the Effects of Air Pollution on Agricultural Crops in the San
Joaquin Valley Journal published in 1985 stated that in 1978, the economic impact of air
pollution in the San Joaquin Valley was estimated to exceed $117 million (in 1978
dollars).(California Air Resources Board). The losses that are being figured here take into

Commented [AA9]: Correctly site the source and the

findings.

consideration the crops which are most grown in the area and had a significant lower yield using
the same amount of resources due to chemicals(pollutants) found in the air that stunt the growth
of the plants. At this point, Fresno was experiencing air pollution that passed the state

Commented [AA10]: Perhaps add a source that backs up

this argument.

regulations, however the losses incurred where already were significant to its economy.
Currently the economic impact due to air pollution in this area cannot be estimated due to the
fact that California is experiencing one of the worst droughts in history making is difficult to
attribute agricultural losses solely to air pollution given that different factors have now arisen in
the San Joaquin Valley. However the estimate of the losses suffered in 1978 should give a
general idea to the losses that the area is currently suffering, being far greater than it was 37
years ago.
The impact of air pollution in Fresno can no longer go on without being treated it is no
longer enough to identify the problem but it is rather crucial that this problem be rectified. The
bad air quality that Fresno faces cannot be attributed to one sole contributor rather it is important
to understand that air pollution in Fresno has been created by combination of factors. A
combination of factors that should be considered equally when formulating plans to improve the
air quality in Fresno. Among the various factors that contribute to the bad air quality that Fresno
faces are heavy trafficked interstates, heavy use of agricultural equipment, its geographic
location, its growing population, and lack of enforcement of certain air pollution policies. The
first thing that should be identified is where the problem gained momentum to achieve the scale
at which it is today. According to an article in The City Lab, air quality has significantly
degraded within the past decade in which there has been a noticeable 16% increase in the Fresno
population. This population increased resulted in an increase of urban sprawl and an increase in
automobile usage. This population growth was not only the result of births in Fresno but was

Commented [AA11]: Perhaps add proper citation and

these sources as a hyperlink.

actually caused by the increase of housing prices in the coastal region between 2000 and 2007
which forced many individuals living in the coastal region to move inland where housing prices
where cheaper (LAO). The rising prices in these coastal regions continue to be a problem today,

Commented [AA12]: Fix citation error.

meaning that population growth is expected in inland cities such as Fresno. With a growing
population in Fresno it is primordial to improve its air quality as more individuals will be
threatened and face the challenges that its current residents face every day.
Although car emissions do threaten the air quality standards in Fresno the biggest threat

Commented [AA13]: Provide more details on this source

of pollution. Back it up with evidence.

and obstacle in improving air quality in Fresno perhaps comes from the agricultural corporations
that have made Fresno their home. These local corporations often find ways to undermine the
policies in place, by buying permits to burn brush, increase pesticide use, and increase other
agriculture equipment that has certain regulations(San Joaquin Valley APCD).Ultimately what

Commented [AA14]: Correct citation.

these corporations are doing is polluting the air in Fresno and justifying their actions with pay

Commented [AA15]: Provide a specific example of this

happening or remove it from the essay because it makes an
accusation that is supported with solid evidence.

offs, certainly it may appease the Air Quality Board that these corporations are paying the price
for violating standards, however there is a greater cost to their actions, that being that they

Commented [AA16]: Give an example or remove it from

the essay.

endanger the livelihoods of other individuals and increase pollution levels.

Furthermore, Fresnos air pollution is worsened by its geographic location and the fires
that are prone to happen in this area and in California in general. Fresno is located in the San
Joaquin Valley, surrounded by mountains creating a basin that traps winds and its pollutants
making air circulation a bit difficult. (Clean Air Primer) Although its geographic region is a
factor that cannot be controlled it should not be disregarded as an inconvenience rather it should
be taken into consideration when planning approaches to reduce, regulate, and control air
pollution.

Commented [AA17]: Correct the citation.

Commented [AA18]: This explanation is too short
provide more explanation on how Fresnos geography,
topography, and current weather conditions such as the
drought contribute to the pollution going on in the area.

In order to change Fresnos current air quality issue, we have to take all of these
contributing factors in mind, we no longer have the luxury to address one factor given that
modern urban pollution now consist of various factors. To change the current situation we can
begin with addressing car emissions standards, curving them in such a way that we account for
foreseeable additions to the area. In terms of the agricultural sectors more penalties and less
permits should be allowed in per year in order to incentivize corporations to reduce their
contribution to local pollution, because it is obvious that the current policies and penalties in
place have not gotten them to change their approach to the environment otherwise we might have
a seen a change in the pollution trend over the years. These regulations and approaches should be
done while taken into consideration the geographic region Fresno belongs to.

Commented [AA19]: These are good potential ways to

solve the current problem but should include any current
efforts being done to fix the correct problem.

Simply understanding what causes air pollution is not the sole purpose of this paper
rather it is addressing how this issue in the end affects not only the citizens in Fresno, the state
economy, but also other parts of the world that share similarities to the city of Fresno. If we can
successfully and efficiently resolved the issues that the city of Fresno faces as a result of air
pollution we can ultimately emulate these methods in other parts of the world in order to
transform the environment into a safer and cleaner environment in which to live our lives.

Commented [AA20]: Conclusion seems to do good job in

emphasizing some of the components of the thesis however
it should include a transition to the AP.
Commented [AA21]: The entire essay lacks proper
citation, it also lacks hyperlinks, more multimodality
element, and it should include more visual elements.

Commented [AA22]: The formatting of the works cited

needs correction.

Works Cited
Alamo, Cha,Brian Uhler, and Marionne OMalley. Califronias High Hosuing Cost: Causes and
Consequences. Legislative Anylysis Office.17 March .2015. Web. 19
Oct.2015<http://www.lao.ca.gov/reports/2015/finance/housing-costs/housing-costs.aspx>
Berg, Nate. "Why Does California's Central Valley Have Such Bad Air Pollution?" The
Atlantic

City

Lab.08

Sept.

2011.

Web.

19

Oct.

2015<

http://www.citylab.com/weather/2011/09/behind-pollution-californias-central-valley/207/ >
California Air Resources Board. "Economic Assessment of the Effects of Air Pollution on
Agricultural Crops in the San Joaquin Valley." (Book, 1985)
"California County Asthma Profiles." County Asthma Profiles. California Breathing. Web.
19 Oct. 2015< http://www.californiabreathing.org/asthma-data/county-asthma-profiles/fresnocounty-asthma-profile>
"Clean Air Primer - Overview." Clean Air Primer - Overview. Web. 19 Oct. 2015. <
http://www.valleyair.org/newsed/ca_primer/bigpicture/IIIA.html >

Cone, Tracie. "California Air Pollution Kills More People Than Car Crashes, Study Shows."
Huffington

Post.14

Dec

2008.

Web.

10

Oct

2015

<

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/13/california-air-pollution-_n_143521.html>

"Kidsdata | Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health." Kidsdata | Lucile Packard
Foundation

for

Children's

Health.

Web.

19

Oct.

http://www.kidsdata.org/topic/239/asthmahospitalizations/trend#fmt=546&loc=357&tf=1,73&ch=788,789,790,974&pdist=7>

2015.

<

"FEATURED ITEMS." San Joaquin Valley APCD Home Page. Web. 19 Oct. 2015<
http://www.valleyair.org/Home.htm >
"State of the Air 2015" Report Released by the American Lung Association." 29 Apr. 2015. Web.
14 Oct. 2015. < http://www.stateoftheair.org/2015/city-rankings/most-polluted-cities.html>