Particulates: Tiny particles in air linked to 1,000 early deaths

in San Diego
Write in box AFTER reading the article:
SUMMARY: A short paragraph that tells the main points. What did you learn?

I learned:
tiny particles in the air contribute to an estimated 1,000 premature deaths annually in San
Diego
(NRDC) stand for Natural Resources Defense Council
Particulate air pollution is not just visible smoke and soot; it is also made up of tiny invisible
particles formed from gaseous emissions of sulfur dioxide and volatile organic compounds.
Write in box AFTER reading the article:
REFLECTION: A short paragraph that tells your thoughts or opinions. What did you think? What was your
reaction? How can you connect with the article personally?

My opinion was: This Particulates article talk about all about the different particulates that are in the air. Its good
to learn about what is in the air around you.

My personal (emotional) reaction was: It very sad that the tiny particles can bring 1,000 premature deaths
annually in san diego.

I had that reaction because: They the people who is in changer of the air or whatever should look more into
what is in the air, those tiny particles can kill anyone. People who are working with oil they should be careful to
not pollution the air we breath in.

One thing that should be done is: try to find a better way to go around your city and not to pollution the air
anymore.

San Diego's particle pollution ranks as the thirteenth worst in the United States
provided by Environmental Health Coalition

iny particles in the air contribute to an estimated 1,000 premature deaths annually in San Diego,
according to a new analysis by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) released in May. The study is the
first ever estimate of the number of heart and lung-related premature deaths from fine particle air pollution in U.S.
metropolitan areas.

The study finds that the majority of urban areas in California experience more than 300 particulate related
air pollution deaths each year, even at pollution levels well below the current national health standard. San Diego
County is currently in compliance with the federal particulate matter standard, but all areas of San Diego County
where air quality is measured are out of compliance with the more stringent California 24-hour particulate
standard.
Particulates: More than meets the eye
Particulate air pollution is not just visible smoke and soot; it is also made up of tiny invisible particles
formed from gaseous emissions of sulfur dioxide and volatile organic compounds. These tiny particles are
considered to be the most dangerous by health scientists because they are small enough to evade the body's
respiratory defense mechanisms and lodge deep in lung tissue. Current standards do not target fine particle
pollution.

The NRDC study examines the primary sources of particulate pollution nationally, including older, coal-fired
power plants, industrial boilers, and gas and diesel-powered vehicles, among others, and recommends solutions
for reducing the emissions from these sources. Local sources of particulate pollution include gasoline vehicle
exhaust, diesel vehicle exhaust, power generation, solvent use in local industries, and operations of the
construction and mineral products industries.

New standards

"What this report shows is that current levels of fine particle pollution are a serious threat to the public
health. Hundreds of premature deaths in San Diego could be averted each year if the EPA set stringent (more
strict) new health standards for fine particle pollution," said Paula Forbis of the Environmental Health Coalition,
which released the study in San Diego. "In addition to that, we call upon the local Air Pollution Control District
(APCD) to enforce all current regulations that apply to particulates and resist pressure to relax these standards."

Currently the APCD is considering whether to roll back emission standards for certain types of road paving
equipment which emit fine particles. For some of these types of equipment, control technology has been
developed and is already in use. "We see no reason why standards should be rolled back to appease some
members of industry, when conscientious members of the industry are in compliance with the current standards,"
Forbis continued.

The NRDC report estimates that approximately 64,000 people may die prematurely each year as a result of
particulate air pollution. Lives are shortened by an average of one to two years in the more polluted areas. The
elderly and those with heart and lung disease are most affected. The study also noted that other measures of
respiratory distress, such as asthma attacks, use of bronchodilators, and trips to the emergency room, are linked
to particulate levels. "The analysis shows that the current health standards for particulate matter are not protective
of public health," said Deborah Sheiman Shprentz, author of the NRDC report.