M3.4 Air Pollution

Using your zip code (or the zip code from your family home, find out the following and enter info in your BLOG.
  • Who and what are the top polluters in your zip code?
The top polluters in my zip code are Chevron, ARCO, and Ultramar. I    believe all three of these organizations have to do with oil/gas production.  
  • What percent of the homes in your zipcode have lead-based paint?
4% of homes in my county have a high risk for lead hazards. 
  • Are there Superfund sites in your zip?  (In your BLOG, make sure to tell us what a Superfund Site is)
There are 11 Superfund sites in my county.  

A superfund aka CERCLA, Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act was created in 1980 to clean up contaminated sites. The goals of Superfund: protect human health and the environment by cleaning up polluted sites, make responsible parties pay for cleanup work, involve communities in the superfund process, and return superfund sites to productive use. 

  • What can you tell us about the Superfund sites that are near where you live?
The 11 superfund sites are Edwards Air Force base, jet propulsion laboratory, Montrose chemical corp, operating industries, San Fernando Valley areas 1-4, and San Gabriel Valley areas 1,2, & 4. These are all massive entities. But it is important to note that they are all located in more "rural" or industrialized areas. These locations tend to be a bit farther out than where most of the hustle and bustle occur. 
  • What did you learn about the air quality in your zipcode?
Los Angeles County is considered a part of the dirtiest/worst counties.
  • How about the water quality?
Los Angeles County is considered a part of the dirtiest/worst counties. 

  • How did your zipcode fair on a social justice / environmental justice basis?
While there is a discrepancy between those of different races and those of different socioeconomic backgrounds, many of the topics considered were almost even. While I     would like to think that that is a sign of equality and equity, I    think it is more a sign of worsening environmental factors and increased pollution.  

Comments

  1. Chris DeatrasOctober 29, 2018 at 11:31 AM

    I like that you think that the lack of differences between faces and socioeconomic status in terms of their exposure to air pollution was more a sign of a downward trend in the current environmental situation and not of equality. We shouldn't frame our think that everyone having it bad is equality. Everyone having it bad is just everyone having it bad. Equality means everyone has an equal opportunity for something good, which is something we should all be working towards.

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  2. UnknownNovember 19, 2018 at 9:43 AM

    It's a bit shocking to me that all 3 top polluters have to do with gas or oil. When I think of pollution, I often thing of air pollution such as factories, etc. I was also surprised to find out that regardless of socioeconomic background and races, many topics were considered the same. Often times, this does not seem to be the case. Usually those who have lower socioeconomic status are not able to afford safe environments. For example, in San Jose, most people of lower social economic status live near freeways, which we know is a huge source of various types of pollutions.

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