Posted on 11/15/2008 12:58:10 PM PST by Lorianne
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.
The study, which examined the costs of air pollution in two areas with the worst levels in the country, also said meeting federal ozone and fine particulate standards could save $28 billion annually in health care costs, school absences, missed work and lost income potential from premature deaths.
The price tag amounts to $1,600 annually per person in the San Joaquin Valley and $1,250 in the South Coast Air Basin.
Researchers at California State University-Fullerton sought to assess the potential economic benefits that could be achieved by reducing air pollution to levels within federal standards.
"For decades there has been a tug of war over what to do about air pollution," said Jane Hall, lead author of the study at Cal State Fullerton. "We are paying now for not having done enough."
To illustrate its point, the study noted that the 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.
(Excerpt) Read more at chron.com ...
Good going California!
Kaleephornya is a disease in and of itself.
Get rid of California’s anti-business climate, grow the economy, people can afford newer and cleaner cars, bingo!
But no, mister “I left Europe to get away from socialism” wants to raise the damn sales tax.
Actually a ton of pollution that is measured in California comes from China. From what people have told me sometimes you can actually see it coming in.
BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS
Which means BU(( $HIT times 10
Stop driving or Stop breathing. Some choice.
You know, I heard this on the radio last week. I think it is some study that just came out, totally bogus. The air pollution is so negligible these days, really not bad at all, at least here in Los Angeles. Sheesh, remember the 1970s here? We have catalytic converters on our cars, etc. You can barely even see the air anymore, and I never see that awful inversion layer just hanging over town.
I think this is bogus, and I think it is just designed to take control of SOME bit of something by the libs.
Just a hunch. The next ‘scare’?? now that GW has been proven ridiculous? I’m not buying it.
Show me the dead bodies, too. And I’d like to see what other variables were involved — alcohol, drugs, lowlife living. What?
If all the libs who believe this crap would commit suicide, it would lower pollution a bunch. They need to save the planet. If they don’t commit suicide (or stop havin babies) they are hypocrites.
Maybe so, but if it is, it’s their own BS.
Same cheer! Good going California !!!
If the Latino and Black gangs don’t get you first...
Conversly, show me that all the dead from "secondhand smoke" didn't breathe any California air.
Not to mention the queers pissed off about Prop 8!
The Jerkinator packed a lot of Eurosocialism in his suitcase when he left Austria in the late 1960s. The way he has governed (”misgoverned”, rather) CA has proven it. I hear he wants to run for the U.S. Senate, I’ll vote for the Independence Party candidate before I’ll support this hump, who is an idiot in two languages.
Forgot about them...getting your face slapped hurts!
What a crock. There is no way this could be a valid “study” or conclusion.
Scientists should be embarrassed... for this and many many other “studies.”
“I think this is bogus, and I think it is just designed to take control of SOME bit of something by the libs.”
You are right, but it is nothing new. The California Air Resources Board has been implementing regulations through a process called “rulemaking” for many years. This effectively creates new law, bypassing the normal legislative process. Every thing is done out front, with public notices of hearings and workshops for the people to attend and provide input, then they move forward and create the regulations they wanted in the first place. CARB regulations are the reason for fuel being more expensive in California than most other places. Several years ago they were successful in implementing the requirement for the “spill-proof” gas cans required in California now, and they are moving forward in regulating wood stove usage in various parts of the state. It begins locally with voluntary “Don’t Light Tonight” programs to curb usage during low air quality times, but advances to bans on usage of wood burners, such as Fresno County now has. I always thought I would get in trouble with the government over my firearms ownership, never thought it would be because of my woodstove. They can have mine when they pry it from my cold, dead hands. Come to think of it, it’s time to throw another log on.
Of course, none of these suddenly healthy people would have any place to work, as all of the businessmen would be driven into bankruptcy or out of the State! Way to go AHHNOLD. Go to it, boy!
1) Air pollution from vehicles is worst at an idle than at a steady RPM.
2) Traffic fatalities are reduced when traffic is at an idle.
Therefore, improving traffic flow would increase traffic speeds and lower pollution; however, increased speeds would increase fatalities until fatalities from both causes reach some natural point.
(Something like that, anyway.)
:-\
I have to admit though that I can't believe that the air pollution isn't much better now than back then, based on my visits there during the late 1990's and early 2000's.
As to 'not meeting air quality standards', WHICH standards are they talking about, since they have tightened them several times, like each time the area even got close to meeting whatever standard was then current?
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