Bakersfield Pollution: Which Areas Are Affected?

Bakersfield, California, is one of the most polluted cities in the United States. The city's poor air quality is caused by a combination of factors, including emissions from agriculture, industry, rail freight, and road traffic. The geographic location of Bakersfield, encircled by mountains, creates a bowl-like shape that traps polluted air and prevents it from dispersing. The oil industry, agricultural activities, and residential emissions also contribute significantly to the city's air pollution. Bakersfield's air pollution has been linked to various health issues, particularly for vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing heart and lung conditions. While there have been some improvements in air quality standards, cleaner-burning engines, and efficient industrial machinery, the city continues to face challenges in mitigating pollution and its associated health risks.

Bakersfield's air pollution sources

Bakersfield, California, is one of the most polluted cities in the United States. The city's air pollution is caused by a combination of factors, including industrial emissions, agricultural activities, residential emissions, and unfavourable geographical conditions.

Industrial Emissions

Bakersfield is a hub for energy production, with the oil and gas industry being a significant contributor to air pollution in the city. Kern Oil, the primary oil refinery in the area, has been subject to numerous Clean Air Act violations due to over-polluting. The extraction, refining, and mining of petroleum by oil and gas companies release fine particulate matter (PM2.5) into the air, which has severe health impacts.

Agricultural Activities

Agricultural land and practices in Bakersfield also contribute to the city's air pollution. Farmland machinery, crop burning, pesticides, and wind-blown dust release airborne particulates and gases like nitrogen dioxide, a precursor to ozone pollution. The presence of numerous dairies and their associated emissions further impact the air quality.

Residential Emissions

As Bakersfield is the ninth-largest city in California and the second-fastest-growing metropolitan area in the state, residential emissions play a significant role in air pollution. Private motor vehicles, wood stoves, fire pits, and BBQs are traditional sources of residential emissions, which can have a substantial impact on air quality as the city's population continues to grow.

Geographical Conditions

The geographical location of Bakersfield in a valley encircled by mountains, including the Sierra Nevada range, contributes to the air pollution problem. The city's topography creates high-pressure systems that trap polluted air and prevent its dispersal for extended periods. This phenomenon exacerbates the effects of emissions from various sources, leading to prolonged periods of poor air quality.

While Bakersfield has made some improvements in air quality through stricter standards and cleaner technologies, the region continues to face challenges in mitigating the health impacts of air pollution on its residents.

The impact of air pollution on health

Bakersfield, California, is known for its poor air quality, which is caused by a combination of industrial emissions, residential emissions, and unfavourable geographic and climatic conditions that trap polluted air in the valley where the city is located. The impact of air pollution on health is a serious issue in Bakersfield, as it is in many other places around the world.

Air pollution is the presence of contaminants in the atmosphere, such as dust, fumes, gas, mist, odour, smoke, or vapour, in quantities that can be harmful to human health. The main pathway of exposure is through the respiratory tract, but some pollutants can also enter the bloodstream through the lungs and affect almost every organ in the body. The health effects of air pollution can be both short-term and long-term, and certain groups of people are more vulnerable to its impacts than others.

Short-term exposure to high levels of particulate matter can lead to reduced lung function, respiratory infections, and aggravated asthma. In the long term, chronic exposure to fine particulate matter increases the risk of non-communicable diseases, including stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and cancer. Ozone, another common pollutant, is a powerful lung irritant that can cause inflammation and damage to multiple body systems. It is associated with respiratory problems such as chest tightness, coughing, and shortness of breath, and it can also shorten lives.

Some populations are more susceptible to the health impacts of air pollution than others. Children, the elderly, and pregnant women are more vulnerable to air pollution-related diseases. People with pre-existing heart and lung conditions are also at higher risk. Additionally, people of colour and those with lower incomes are disproportionately affected by air pollution due to discriminatory practices that place sources of pollution in economically disadvantaged communities of colour. The social stressors of poverty, racial/ethnic discrimination, and residency status can further amplify the harmful effects of air pollution.

To protect oneself from the impacts of air pollution, individuals can check air quality forecasts and avoid exercising or working outdoors when unhealthy air is expected. However, this may not always be feasible, especially for those who work outdoors or do not have access to healthcare or culturally appropriate health information. Policymakers play a crucial role in implementing measures to clean the air and reduce the health risks associated with air pollution.

Groups vulnerable to air pollution

While air pollution is harmful to everyone, certain groups are more vulnerable to its effects. These groups include:

Children

Children are at a heightened risk from air pollution as their airways are smaller and still developing. They also breathe more rapidly and inhale more air relative to their size than adults. Children's bodies are still building the defences that help adults fight off infections, so they are more susceptible to respiratory infections, which increases their susceptibility to air pollution. They are also more likely to spend time being active outdoors, which can increase their exposure on days with poor air quality. Growing up breathing high levels of air pollution can affect how children's lungs develop, putting them at greater risk of lung disease as they age.

Older Adults

Older adults are more vulnerable to the effects of air pollution as the ageing process gradually reduces lung capacity and breathing ability. Older immune systems are also less effective at protecting the lungs from inhaled contaminants, including air pollutants. As older adults are more likely to be living with one or more chronic illnesses, such as lung and heart disease, exposure to air pollution can exacerbate these conditions.

People with Pre-Existing Health Conditions

Those with pre-existing health conditions, particularly respiratory and cardiovascular conditions, are more vulnerable to the effects of air pollution. This includes people with asthma, COPD, heart disease and diabetes. Air pollution can trigger asthma attacks, harm lung development and increase the risk of heart attacks, strokes and other serious illnesses such as pneumonia.

Pregnant People

Pregnant individuals and their fetuses are at a heightened risk of harm from air pollution. Exposure to air pollution during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of premature birth, low birth weight and stillbirth. The physical changes and stress of pregnancy already put a strain on the body, and air pollution can cause additional inflammation and stress, increasing the risk of hypertensive disorders and disrupting the growth and development of the fetus.

People of Colour

People of colour are disproportionately affected by air pollution, regardless of income level or region. They are more likely to live in areas with higher levels of air pollution and are exposed to higher levels of particulate matter pollution, which can cause lung and heart problems. This is due to systematic racial and ethnic disparities that result in people of colour being exposed to air pollution from multiple source types.

Low-Income Communities

Low-income communities are more vulnerable to the effects of air pollution as they are more likely to live in close proximity to sources of pollution and have fewer resources to relocate. They also face additional challenges such as a lack of safety, green space and access to high-quality food, which can contribute to increased psychosocial distress and chronic stress, making them more susceptible to the health impacts of air pollution.

The cost of air pollution

Bakersfield, California, is known for its poor air quality, which has been linked to the area's high-emission industries, growing residential emissions, and geographic and climatic conditions that trap polluted air in the valley. The city has been ranked as the most polluted in the United States by the American Lung Association's "State of the Air" report, which considers 24-hour PM2.5, 24-hour ozone, and annual PM2.5 levels.

Secondly, there are the health costs, which are profound. The poor air quality in Bakersfield has been linked to various health issues, including respiratory and cardiovascular problems. The high levels of particle pollution, specifically PM2.5, pose a significant threat to public health. These fine particles can be inhaled and are small enough to bypass the body's natural defences, lodging in the lungs and entering the circulatory system. This can lead to pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases, increased risk of lung cancer, and other serious health issues. The health impacts of air pollution disproportionately affect certain vulnerable groups, including children, older adults, and people with pre-existing health conditions such as asthma and heart disease. People of colour and those with lower incomes are also disproportionately affected by air pollution, putting them at higher risk for illness.

Additionally, there are social and community costs associated with air pollution in Bakersfield. The poor air quality has led to a decreased quality of life for residents, limiting their ability to spend time outdoors, engage in physical activities, and enjoy their surroundings. It has also sparked activism and community efforts to address the issue, with local activists working to push for environmental justice and improve air quality in the region.

Lastly, there are potential environmental costs to consider. While Bakersfield has made some improvements in air quality in recent years, there are concerns that these gains could be undone due to political and regulatory changes. The election of leaders who oppose air quality regulations and the influence of agricultural and oil industry interests in the region may hinder progress in reducing air pollution. This could result in a reversal of the small but steady improvements that have been made, impacting not only the health and well-being of Bakersfield's residents but also the environment and ecosystem of the surrounding area.

Efforts to improve air quality

Bakersfield, California, has been called the most polluted city in the United States by the American Lung Association's "State of the Air" report. The city's air quality has seen little improvement over the last 20 years, despite advancements in fuel efficiency, emission control, and clean energy. However, some efforts have been made to improve the air quality in Bakersfield.

One of the main initiatives to improve air quality in Bakersfield has been the implementation of more stringent air quality standards. This includes regulations discouraging farmers from burning their agricultural waste, funding trade-ins for old farm equipment, and enforcing new standards for fireplaces and furnaces. There has also been a gradual transition of residents to more fuel-efficient vehicles, which has helped reduce emissions from private motor vehicles, one of the largest contributors to air pollution in US cities.

Another effort to improve air quality in Bakersfield is the work of local activists, such as Gustavo Aguirre Jr., who works on environmental justice issues in the small, underserved, and impoverished farming communities that surround the city. These activists have been coordinating their efforts to address environmental concerns in Kern County, where Bakersfield is located. Planners in the county are also working on a new countywide general plan that takes into consideration environmental justice issues, which could help improve air quality in the region.

In addition, there have been some regulatory actions taken to address air pollution in Bakersfield. For example, in 2019, Bakersfield reached attainment for annual PM2.5 for the first time, meeting the federal standard of less than 12 μg/m3. This was a significant improvement, as the city had failed to meet this standard in all previous recorded years. However, it is important to note that by the World Health Organization's (WHO) more stringent guideline of no more than 10 μg/m3 per year, Bakersfield still has a long way to go.

Overall, while there have been some efforts to improve air quality in Bakersfield, the city continues to struggle with poor air quality and the associated health problems. With the city's location in a valley surrounded by mountains contributing to the stagnation of polluted air, and the presence of high-emission industries such as agriculture and energy production, addressing air pollution in Bakersfield remains a challenging task.

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