Air pollution in Riverside County
Introduction
A report by the American Lung Association reached the conclusion that over 40% of American citizens live in areas where air pollution is rampant. One of the most affected regions with the highest levels of air pollution is Riverside County and the region has ranked second in most ozone polluted counties in the United States. The air pollution tends to vary depending on climate and time of day as it affects the ozone levels that result in the poor quality of air that is present in the region. The air is constantly polluted by predominant summertime pollutants that affect different parts of the county. The levels of ground level ozone in the region constantly changes and at times reaches high air quality index levels that makes the environment dangerous for the inhabitants. Some of the regions most affected by the air pollution include the San Fernando Valley, the Inland Empire, the Coachella Valley and San Bernardino Mountains to mention a few.
Background
The hazardous condition that intensify air pollution in Riverside County occur when the ozone formation rate is intensified by the elevated temperatures that exist in the county. the hot temperature combined with the atmospheric inversions that hold pollution near the surface result in high and continuous pollution of the ozone layer which pollutes the air to levels that exceed the 200-air quality index (ALA 1). at such levels, most, if not all residents in riverside county experience mild to adverse effects due to the pollution. Some of the side effects include respiratory problems such as asthma attacks, laboured breathing, and lung damage to mention a few. High levels of air pollution also attribute to premature death with children, older adults and people diagnosed with asthma being the most at risk.
The air pollution in riverside county has resulted to the region being referred to as the smog belt. The smog formed is as a result of the chemical process that occurs when nitrous oxide is released as a by product of the combustion that occurs in motor vehicles or factory emissions (ALA 1). The nitrous oxide reacts with other chemicals that are present in the air and the sun acts as the catalyst resulting in the production of ozone. Riverside county is renowned for the high temperature as well as vehicles as people commute from one part of the county to another. The region further has a growing trucking and warehousing industry that greatly contribute in the amount of harmful substances released to the air (ALA 1). Pollution is however not limited to the activities carried out at riverside county as harmful pollutants such as nitrous oxide come from other regions and cross geographical boundaries into riverside county. The geography of riverside county makes it possible for air currents to make their way from regions such as the Los Angeles Basin through the mountain passes and into riverside county. The pollution from such regions comes from different pollutants such as motor vehicles and economic activities in Los Angeles basin.
Long beach and the Los Angeles ports are ranked as the busiest ports in the country and deal with a container volume that exceeds 15 million containers yearly (ALA 1). The ports are therefore a contributing factor on the levels of air pollution that exist in riverside county. The movement of ships in and out of the ports for instance releases emissions that pollute the air. The pollution is intensified by other activities such as trucking activities, unloading, drayage and other port related activities (SMC 1). Although measures have been taken to reduce emissions at the port, the movement of air pollutants from ports like the case in Los Angeles makes it difficult to regulate air pollution in riverside county. While the restrictions implemented within the county help to control air pollution from the region, emissions from other parts of the country make it difficult as it is hard to anticipate the level of pollution that will be brought into the region by air currents.
Pollution in riverside county is attributed to other factors such as particulate matter that comes from dust particles when they are scattered to the wind as well as pesticides used in the region. Since smog occurs faster when exposed to hot dry weather, pollution is rampant in riverside especially because of the warm weather experienced in the region (USC 76). Since a significant level of pollution in riverside county is also as a result of activities that people engage in from different regions, it is important to understand the impact that this has on riverside county and help come up with a more practical solution.
The Setting
The high level of air pollution in riverside county is as a result of pollution that occurs as a result of activities engaged in within the county and also pollutants that originate in other regions and make their way to riverside county. Riverside County is greatly affected by pollutants from other regions as it is located within three air basins namely the South Coast Air Basin, Mojave Desert Air Basin, and the Salton Sea Air Basin (RCIP 1). The air pollution in each basin is affected by factors that exist in other basins especially in relation to atmospheric conditions. Factors related to rainfall, temperature, wind direction and wind speed greatly determine how air moves from one region to the other, carrying pollutants that result in the air pollution in riverside county.
The western region of riverside county is located within the South Coast Air Basin and it encompasses the entire orange county. The region also includes parts of Los Angeles that are not covered by a desert as well as riverside and the san Bernardino counties. The region is regulated by the south coast air quality management district whose responsibilities include setting up conditions to help achieve cleaner air (RCIP 1). The region is said to have the highest levels of air pollution and this is greatly as a result of the light average wind speeds experienced in the region. The low wind speed makes it difficult for air contaminants to disperse horizontally. Since the region is exposed to a sea breeze during the day and a land breeze at night, the pattern occurs throughout the year and only changes during winter or when strong Santa Ana winds blow from the desert and the Great Basin.
During spring and early summer, most, if not all of the pollution that occurs in the region is pushed through the mountain passes and out of the basin. The pollution is also carried by warm vertical currents that occur when the mountain slopes heat up allowing pollutants to be flushed out of the basin when the ocean air rises in the afternoons. In cases where stagnant wind flows are experienced, the drainage winds start closer to the mountain where pollutants get trapped and start accumulating throughout the night (Molina & Molina 26). The vertical dispersion of pollutants that pollute the air in the region is however lower depending on the presence of temperature inversion that occurs in the layers of atmosphere that is found near the earth’s surface. In a normal setting, the altitude would trigger a decrease in temperature which allows air to continue rising because it is warmer than the air surrounding it (ALA 1). With an inversion layer however, air stops expanding upwards as it gets trapped by the warmer air that is above.
As the day progresses however, the ground is heated by the temperature from the sun causing the surface layer of air to heat up and reach temperatures that are the same to those from the inversion layer of air. The equal temperatures weaken the inversion layer making it to erode at the lower edge. More temperatures cause the inversion layer to weaken even further to a point where it breaks and allows the surface air to mix upward with little to no restrictions (Schiavone 1). The occurrence often takes place in the afternoon as the temperature is adequate and a smog can be seen to clear up suddenly. When combined with low wind speeds, the greatest concentration of pollutants is produced and transported from one region to another (Molina & Molina 27). On days when the wind speed is high, particulate matter such as soil, dust and other pollutants are carried by the wind and this greatly contributes to the pollution in Riverside County.
- Salton Sea Air Basin
The Salton Sea Air Basin encompasses the middle region of Riverside County and covers regions such as Joshua Tree National Monument, the San Gorgonio Pass and also imperial county. The South County Air Quality Management District bears the responsibility of ensuring that pollution is regulated and that various sources that contribute to air pollution in the region are regulated (ALA 1). The Salton Sea Area Basin is separated from the South County Air Quality Management District by the Jacinto mountains and also by the Little San Bernardino mountains on the side of the Mojave Desert Air Basin. During summer, the Salton Sea Air Basin is affected by the pacific subtropical high cell that is located off the coast as in encourages solar heating during the day by preventing clouds from forming. The Salton Sea Area Basin rarely gets influenced by the cold air masses that make their way from Canada and Alaska as the systems are relatively weak and get diffused by the time, they make their way south to the region (RCIP 1). Majority of the desert moisture that makes its way to the Salton Sea area basin is as a result of the infrequent moist and warm air masses that are relatively unstable and manage to arrive from the south.
- Mojave Desert Air Basin
The eastern side of Riverside county includes the Mojave Desert Air Basin which stretches up to 21000 square miles, it includes areas such as the Palo Verde Valley and some sections of San Bernardino and Los Angeles county (RCIP 1). The South County Air Quality Management District and the Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District are responsible for ensuring that air pollution remains relatively low. The geography of Mojave Desert Air Basin comprises of low mountain ranges that raise the terrain to about 4000 feet, long broad valleys, dry lakes and prevailing winds that blow from the west and south west (RCIP 1). The winds are as a result of the regions close proximity to the central and coastal region as well as the existence of the Sierra Nevada mountains that enclose the region from the north. When differential heating forces air masses onshore in Southern California, the air is pushed through the Mojave Desert Air Basin (ALA 1). This is especially because the region is separated from the southern California coastal and central California valley regions by mountains that provide passes for the main channels for these air masses. During summer, the pacific sub-tropical high cell that exists off the coast of Mojave Desert Air Basin discourages formation of clouds and further promotes solar heating that occurs during the day (McAllister 1). The region is hardly ever impacted by the cold masses of air that make their way from Canada and Alaska. Most of the desert moisture that makes its way to the region is as a result of the infrequent, unstable and moist air masses that originate from the south causing an average precipitation in the region every year.
The rate of air pollution in riverside county have led to the region being identified as a non-attainment area by the Environmental Protection Agency. The definition is reserved for regions that experience high levels of pollution and are not expected to meet any quality standards set by the National Ambient Air Quality Standards. The region has therefore enacted various laws and policies to try and reduce air pollution in the region. This is in accordance with the provisions by the Federal Clean Air Act (1977) which advocates for cleaner air by pushing designated agencies in regions that fail to meet clean air standards set by the government to come up with a plan aimed at ensuring that the region meets the requirements set in the near future. In response to Federal Clean Air Act, riverside county relies on the policies enacted by the South Coast Air Quality Management District and the Southern California of Governors to try and reduce pollution in the South Coast Air Basin (RCIP 1). A good example is the Air Quality Management Plan that was adopted in 1979 and has been revised several times to include requirements that come about as a result of changes in society.
Solution
Any approach that seeks to reduce air pollution in Riverside county should focus on multi-jurisdictional cooperation as air pollutants are not restricted by the jurisdictional boundaries that separate one region from the next. The nature of activities and pollutants emitted in riverside county’s immediate environment like southern California contribute to the pollution that is present in Riverside county (Stern 620). Although most of these regions have policies that limit the release of harmful emissions within their boundaries, most of the policies used to determine the acceptable emissions for companies and other organizations fails to take into account the emissions that originate from other regions and make their way into riverside county (ALA 1). It is therefore important for policy makers to come up with a policy that controls emissions on a global scale rather than focusing on a singe location.
A significant amount of pollution in Riverside county originates from car emissions which are a common mode of transportation in California. The motor vehicles are used for various purposes such as transporting goods, commuting to work and other personal errands. Despite their usefulness, the vehicles cause a lot of pollution and congestion. Other than noise pollution. The emissions that emanate from the vehicles especially during rush hour when the cars are stuck in traffic (Bytnerowicz 126). The hot environment especially on sunny days converts the emissions noxious compounds that contribute to air pollution. The issue is further made worse by the occurrence in riverside where most cars only have one inhabitant. People prefer personal modes of transport over public means. The added number of vehicles for personal use and also to transport goods adds on to the harmful emissions released on a daily basis. furthermore, since air pollution is not restricted to geographical barriers, pollution from other neighbouring regions is blown into riverside county adding on to the harmful effects it has in the region.
The most practical solution to reduce pollution at Riverside county would be to establish homes for employees closer to their places of work to reduce the need for commute. If employees worked to their place of work, there would be lesser cars on the road as fewer people would have to commute to work. one positive outcome will be reduced cars on the roads and therefore fewer emissions (ALA 1). Reducing the number of people travelling to work and back from every day will also reduce the amount of emissions as there would be fewer cars. This would also ease up congestion on the roads and make commutes faster. Other than a reduced number of cars, the emissions would also be lesser as cars would spend lesser time on the road. Those who still have to drive to work commute in roads that are less clouded and therefore allows for faster drives (RCIP 1). The emissions released would therefore be fewer because the car will only travel a shorter distance. Lesser time on the roads will also reduce the quantity that is reduced on a day. Since a lot of emissions form up when cars are stuck in traffic, a clear road would reduce the quantity of emissions.
Another advantage is that housing employees closer to their places of work would ease congestion and give way for policies used to control pollution to take hold. A good example is the use of public transport to reduce the number of motor vehicles on the road and therefore cut down on the levels of emissions produced daily (Andersen et al 7). Transportation through busses and trains that carry more than one passenger are some of the approaches suggested by policy makers and the government to reduce air pollution. The substitutes however fail to be fully utilised because people prefer private means of transport. Since commutes in riverside county encounter a lot of traffic jams, people prefer to use private means of transport as they are more convenient (ALA 1). If employees were housed closer to their places of work however, there would be lesser need to commute and therefore reduce the number of cars on the road and in so doing, ease road congestions. Public means of transport will therefore be able to operate more efficiently and this will in turn encourage people to use public means of transport.
An argument can be made that housing employees closer to their place of work will not have any significant impact on reduce air pollution in Riverside county. The argument is based on the fact that air pollution in riverside county is also as a result of activities that occur outside its borders. Since pollutants are carried from other regions and pushed by air currents into riverside county, there will still be air pollution present even if people commute less. Furthermore, emissions reduced as a result of lesser motor vehicle use will only be substituted by emissions at home and at work. Since people will be closer to their places of work, they will be able to put in more working hours and even add overtime. The activities involved in facilitating homes used to house employees will also mean that emissions are clustered in one region. The pollutants will however move to other parts of the county similar to how smog accumulates as a result of pollutants from regions neighbouring riverside county.
While it is true that pollution in riverside county is as a result of activities from its neighbouring regions, activities within the county greatly contribute to the high levels of air pollution experienced. One of the major contributors of air pollution is the emissions from motor vehicles as people commute to and from work and also due to transportation activities engaged in by the companies that operate in the county (Bates et al 13). Reducing the frequency in which people use their cars will reduce the amount of emissions in the region. Although some of the pollution that exists is as a result of activities that occur elsewhere, controlling pollution within riverside will lower the levels of air pollution to a point where most of the pollution originates from outside. This will in turn reduce air pollution levels in the county.
The approach to house employees closer to the place of work can also coordinate with the Transport demand management to come up with driving patterns that seek to reduce the number of motor vehicles on the road at any given time. Commuters that reside in the same neighbourhood and work in the same location can be encouraged to carpool on their way to and from work (Comtois et al 112). Employees should be encouraged to travel in groups or use public means to help reduce car emissions that cause air pollution. Other than carpools, the Transportation Demand Management could enact guidelines that advocate for organizations to make deliveries and commutes during off peak hours (Banister et al 16). Companies can be encouraged to transport products and raw materials during off peak hours when roads are not congested. This will ensure that most operations are carried out during off peak hours when employees are at work. Off peak hours can be reserved for personal commutes to allow for less congestion on the roads when employees go to work and make their way home.
Conclusion
The high levels of air pollution existing in Riverside county are as a result of the activities engaged in by people in the country and its neighbouring environment. The pollutant substances that are produced in riverside county combine with those brought in from areas like Los Angeles. When the pollutants react due to the high temperatures in the region, the resulting air pollution accumulates and poses hazardous risks to people residing in the region. Although it is difficult to regulate activities in other regions, riverside county could focus on reducing emissions that are attributed to activities it can control. Reducing emissions will ensure that the rate of pollution is low and thus reduce the impact attributed to pollution originating from activities outside Riverside. There is however need for cooperation between regions to create a system that takes into account how pollution affects other regions and come up with measures to prevent occurrences of air pollution and this would greatly help reduce air pollution in Riverside County.
Work cited
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