Asthma Alley, CA

It has long been established that fine particulate matter, or PM 2.5, is associated with numerous health problems ranging from chronic respiratory diseases to premature death.  In 2018, particulate matter was responsible for 8 million deaths worldwide, including 350,000 in the U.S.  These numbers equate to roughly one in five deaths globally. Although efforts to reduce toxic air emissions have been relatively successful over the past several decades, particle pollution still poses a major threat to public health.

 California Safe Schools  is a nonprofit organization that focuses on protecting schoolchildren. Their mission is to advocate for preschools, daycare centers, and other early education facilities that aren't protected under K-12 legislation.

The purpose of this analysis is to expand on California Safe School's mission by examining particulate matter emissions across Los Angeles County and their proximity to local preschools and daycare centers. As children are particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of toxic air pollutants, this analysis can serve as a basis for improvements in public health and safety policies pertaining to early childhood education in the Los Angeles area.

 Particulate matter (PM)  consists of hazardous solid and liquid particles, including dust, soot, smoke, metals, organic chemicals, and allergens. Particulate matter smaller than 2.5 microns in diameter, or PM 2.5, is a byproduct of fossil fuel combustion formed by reactions of chemicals in the atmosphere. These chemicals include sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides emitted by power plants, industrial facilities, and automobiles. PM varies in size and shape and can travel for hundreds of miles.

Exposure to PM can lead to irritation of the eyes, nose and throat. PM can also exacerbate chronic respiratory illnesses, including asthma and bronchitis.

Long-term exposure to PM 2.5 is especially harmful because of its ability to enter the bloodstream through the lungs. This can cause problems for cardiovascular health, leading to strokes, heart attacks, cognitive disorders and birth defects.

Children are especially vulnerable to the harmful effects of particulate matter because they take in more air per unit of body weight than adults, are more physically active than adults, and can develop adverse health effects than persist into adulthood. Diagnosing children is difficult because children show fewer symptoms or don't recognize symptoms themselves. Long-term exposure to PM in early childhood is also linked to cognitive and behavioral issues, learning disabilities, prolonged physical impairment, higher school absenteeism, and decreased earning potential.

• In 2019, Los Angeles County contained 9 of the 15 most polluted cities in the United States for PM 2.5 ( IQAir.com )
• One in 10 children in LA County are diagnosed with asthma; childhood asthma in the South Bay region ranks 2nd highest in the state. ( LA County Department of Public Health )
• Children living in poverty have the highest rates of asthma. ( LA County Department of Public Health, 2013 )

• Wilmington Park Early Education Center
• Wilmington Park Elementary Day Care Center
• Volunteers of America (VOA) of Los Angeles/Robert F. Kennedy Day Care Center
• Hawaiian Avenue Early Education Center
• Iglesia Bautista/Friendship Children's Center
• LA Harbor College - Child Development Center

• Pines Christian School
• Volunteers of America (VOA) of Los Angeles - Early Head Start
• Joyful Land Preschool

• Webster Head Start (Long Beach Unified School District)
• Good Beginnings Head Start

• Expand asthma care development and opportunities
• Educate communities on proper asthma care for children
• Develop action plans for affected regions

• Train educators and staff to recognize early symptoms of respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses
• Establish and implement emergency protocols for students, faculty and staff when air quality is poor
• Monitor air quality regularly to determine when and where students are most affected

• Support legislation to reduce pollution in affected areas
• Support reduction of health and environmental impact from cargo ships, trains, semi-trucks, and freeways in pollutant-dense areas
• Incentivize transition towards cleaner energy and fuel sources
• Maintain standards for air quality and particle pollution emissions
• Amend zoning restrictions to account for the severity of pollution in affected areas
• Expand funding for asthma prevention and mitigation at affected schools, including air filtration systems and on-site health care services

 Most Polluted Cities in the United States (2020) 

 WHO Air quality guidelines for particulate matter, ozone, nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide (2005) 

 The effect of industry-related air pollution on lung function and respiratory symptoms in school children (2004) 

 The effect of air pollution on lung development from 10 to 18 years of age (2004) 

 Global mortality from outdoor fine particle pollution generated by fossil fuel combustion (2021) 

 Asthma Alley - Long Beach ranks worst in US for air quality (2019) 

 Traffic density in California: socioeconomic and ethnic differences among potentially exposed children (2003) 

 Socioeconomic Disparities and Air Pollution Exposure: A Global Review (2015) 

 Getting to the Heart of the (Particulate) Matter (2020) 

 Child Asthma in LA County (2014) 

 California Safe Schools