Air Pollution

The American Lung Society recently ranked the San Joaquin valley as having the worst air pollution in the United States.

That’s not surprising for Fresno, which sits at the crossroads of two major freeways and sees emissions from factories, cars, and planes daily. 

While urban life contributes to the valley’s air pollution, between the pesticides used to kill weeds and bugs, the nitrogen-based fertilizers, and dust from tilling the soil, the hundreds of miles of farms that feed the country are one of the valley’s greatest sources of air pollution. Cows are perhaps the greatest agricultural contributor, their gas alone accounting for 10 percent of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide, according to researchers at UC Davis.

The topography of the valley also has a large influence on regional air quality. The valley is surrounded by mountains on all four sides, leaving a bowl-like recession that traps the dirty air. This means wildfire smoke from out of the area likes to settle here.

“I was here during the Creek Fire,” said Fresno State Ag student Gwendolyn Edmiston. “The Creek Fire was pretty bad. I had ash on my car for that.”

While the average joe may not be able to move mountains, one can still take steps to help reduce regional air pollution – literally. Walking instead of driving is one simple way to improve air quality. Opting for the non-aerosol versions of your favorite brands is another good option, or you can always skip meat one day a week.

These small changes can help keep you breathing clearly, something that doesn’t always come naturally in the valley.

“I’ve been outside of the valley to experience, you know, what people would consider a cleaner air,” said Hunter Tidd, a Fresno State geology student. “And then you know, is that time we’re coming back and returning where you go. Oh, wow. I’m coughing. I’m congested. Why can’t I breathe? Oh, that’s right. Air quality.”