Air Pollution In Oakland
How does it affect you and your health?
Types of air pollution
Black Carbon
Black carbon particles come from burning fuel, especially diesel, wood and coal. High exposure is associated with heart attacks, stroke and some forms of cancer.
Nitric oxide (NO)
Nitric oxide is strongly associated with heavy traffic, and is often concentrated near busy roadways. It forms smog and acid rain, and can cause respiratory problems.
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2)
Nitrogen dioxide is formed when NO(Nitric oxide) mixes with oxygen in the air. It's associated with respiratory problems,and is regulated by the EPA( Environmental Protection Agency).Maps of pollution
This is level of pollution in west oakland, West Oakland residents are exposed to air concentrations of diesel pollution that are almost three times higher than average background levels in the Bay Area, and that 71 percent of air pollution risk was attributable to truck traffic.These new maps reveal that air pollution also varies significantly within neighborhoods and even within individual city blocks.
This is the level of pollution in east oakland, From the map, you can see that I-880 (Nimitz Freeway), a major transportation route serving the Port of Oakland and Oakland International Airport, features significantly higher levels of air pollution. Not surprising, when considering that the I-880 corridor carries the greatest volume of truck traffic in the Bay Area region and among any highway in California.
How can you help?
Looking at our gathered evidence we can see that a main contrubitor to the air pollution in oakland are cars with in mind, here are some things you can do with your car and in general to help with that:
driving less especially big cars, carpooling, and driving electric can help along with getting your checked up reguraly are all good ways to reduce pollution and making the air you breath, just that bit cleaner.
A good way to asiast is by connecting with local groups like Communities for a Better Environment, which can help you take action on issues that affect your health and environment.
Its also possible to Find a clean air advocacy group working near you. For example, Moms Clean Air Force, a national group of more than a million parents, organizes communities to protect clean air and our kids' health in 20 states.
Soruces: "How pollution impacts health in West Oakland" and "Air pollution and health in East Oakland"