Reclaiming the Skies of Pasadena: A Battle for Cleaner Air
Dear Editor,
Editor Letters: Californian Progress Threatened by Regression on Clean Atmospheric Regulations
As a Pasadena native of the 1950s, I vividly remember the smog that blanketed our city like a dense fog, often obscuring the majestic San Gabriel Mountains. Swimming in the public pool during summer days would leave our lungs aching from the toxic air. Even our college football team couldn't practice during heavy smog days. That was then; now, thanks to California's tough anti-pollution measures, the mountains are visible again, and the skies are clearer, a triumph for Angelenos and Californians alike.
But this victory may be short-lived, as the House recently voted to bar California from mandating a transition to electric vehicles by 2035 ("Fate of California's auto standards will come down to Senate battle," May 1). California was granted the ability to establish clean air standards more stringent than federal limits due to its historical struggle with pollution. Incredulously, over a dozen states, including New York, Colorado, Massachusetts, Washington, and Oregon, follow California's standards. This status quo must remain. Kudos to Gov. Gavin Newsom, who stands firm, stating, "Our vehicles program helps clean the air for all Californians, and we'll continue defending it." Here, here!
Jill Anderson, Pismo Beach
Breathe Easy or Suffer: A Story of Personal Impact
Dear Editor,
As a staunch advocate for public transportation with a decade of service as a Metropolitan Transportation Authority governing official, my commitment to the environment was evident. I relied on public transit for over two decades. Yet, my current health struggles are a chilling reminder of the consequences of inhaling exhaust fumes, especially at bus stops. I now need to use a steroid-based inhaler daily, and I'm urged to carry an asthmatic inhaler for emergencies. My primary care physician attributes my diminished lung capacity to years of exposure to emissions.
Those advocating for weakening emission reduction regulations fail to grasp the fact that their own lungs – and ours – are accumulating those same pollutants each time they step outside. My health challenges arose during the time when California's Clean Air Act waiver was in effect. If that waiver erodes, I fear countless others will suffer the same fate.
Kymberleigh Richards, Van Nuys
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Factors and Developments in California's Air Quality Improvements:
- Pioneering Emissions Reduction: California has shown leadership in implementing clean air policies. Tougher vehicle emissions standards, vehicle smog checks, and advanced technologies have decreased harmful pollutants such as ozone and particulate matter across the state[3].
- Air Quality Improvements in the San Gabriel Mountains Area: California's efforts have led to improvements in air quality near the San Gabriel Mountains, making the mountains visible again[3].
- Continued Pollution Concerns: Despite progress, California still faces significant air pollution challenges, especially in heavily impacted regions like the South Coast.
- Need for Ongoing Efforts: Continued support and resources are necessary to address pollution in these areas.
- Future Improvements: New laws, like Assembly Bill 98, target warehouse emissions, while ongoing research into advanced air purification technologies may offer further tools for improved air quality[4][5].
- The smog in Pasadena during the 1950s was so dense that it often obscured the San Gabriel Mountains.
- Swimming in public pools during summer days left the lungs aching from the toxic air.
- Even the college football team couldn't practice during heavy smog days.
- California's tough anti-pollution measures have made the San Gabriel Mountains visible again and cleared the skies, a triumph for Angelenos and Californians alike.
- Jill Anderson, a Pasadena native, applauds California's anti-pollution efforts but fears they may be undone by the House's vote to bar California from mandating a transition to electric vehicles by 2035.
- Kymberleigh Richards, a former Metropolitan Transportation Authority governing official, urges California to continue its efforts to reduce emissions after she developed health struggles due to inhaling exhaust fumes.
- Advocates for weakening emission reduction regulations often fail to consider the harmful effects of pollution on their own health.
- California's Clean Air Act waiver, which helped reduce emissions, may face erosion, according to Richards, potentially leading to countless others suffering the same health issues.
- California's pioneering efforts in emissions reduction, such as tighter vehicle emissions standards and advanced technologies, have decreased harmful pollutants like ozone and particulate matter across the state.
- Lingering air pollution challenges remain in heavily impacted regions like the South Coast, despite improvements in air quality.
- Ongoing support and resources are necessary to address pollution in these areas, while new laws and advanced air purification technologies may offer further tools for improved air quality in the future.
