M3.4 Air Pollution

Watching the youtube video, I felt like it introduced me more to air quality. I have some knowledge on it from taking some health class during undergrad, but only understanding the iceberg of it. The 10 minute video summarizes how poor air quality is made up and the effects it has on the human population and the place we call home, planet earth. It was interesting learning about how sulfuric acid is made and how other chemical compounds can wreak havoc when produced. Looking over the air quality index I learned how to read AQI levels on air quality. It connects to the poor air quality we experienced with the fires last October. To learn what numbers indicate what color to use to warn those that the air is good, moderate or poor. I also learned about the ozone, the one Earth has and the one us humans create with pollutants from cars and factories. 

• Who and what are the top polluters in your zip code?

The top polluters in my zip code are San Francisco DryDock Inc.they rank first and they dump 28,942 pounds, second is Chevron Prods. Co San Francisco terminal at 13,311 pounds and ranked third is PG&E Hunters Point Power Plant at 29 pounds. 

The top Chemicals found in my zipcode were 

•  What percent of the homes in your zipcode have lead-based paint?

The percentage of homes in my zip code that have lead based paint is 7%. 

• Are there Superfund sites in your zip?  (In your BLOG, make sure to tell us what a Superfund Site is)

A superfund site according to Wikipedia is "Superfund is a United States federal government program designed to fund the cleanup of sites contaminated with hazardous substances and pollutants. Sites managed under this program are referred to as "Superfund" sites". 

The superfund site in my zip code is Treasure Island Naval Station- Hunters Point Annex. 

• What can you tell us about the Superfund sites that are near where you live?

There are many chemicals located at this superfund site. Such chemicals that exist are 1,2,4 Trichlorobenzene, located in ground water, Chromium Compounds found in surface water, Polychlorinated Biphenyls located in the category of other with zinc and zinc compounds located in other. These are a small sample of the long list of chemicals that are found in the Treasure Island Naval Station- Hunters Point Annex where they are found in ground water, surface water and other. 

• What did you learn about the air quality in your zipcode?

I learned that in 1999, my zipcode/county ranked top 10 worse air quality locations in the United States. I also learned my zip code only has on average 88 days of clean air, moderate air quality is on average of 12 and unhealthy has 0 days. The maximum PSI in 2003 was 103, the median PSI was 27. 

• How about the water quality?

Surface water qualities ranked in the dirtiest/worst counties in the country, between 80% and 90%. Pesticides found in the water were at 76%, sediments were at 24%, pathogens were at 12% and nutrients were at 12% as well. What is surprising is the Estuaries, Bays and coasts all contain 100% levels of Mercury, PCB's, Pesticides, Exotic Species, Dioxin and more. 

• How did your zipcode fair on a social justice / environmental justice basis?

The social justice and environmental justice basis ranks about the same between races in conjunction with distribution of burdens. Releases of toxins, and cancer risks were about close in range with a ratio of around 1. Superfund sites numbers were a bit off with people of color more at risk than whites and facilities emitting air pollutants were close in ratio with a 1. Distribution of burdens by income was significant in how releases of toxins is shown. The wealthy were ranked lower compared to the poor, with a ratio of about 3. Overall I noticed the ratio between whites and minorities was a 1 with the highest ratio being a 3, same for low and high incomes. People who have an education compared to those without and education faired the same. Overall, depending on your race and income you will either be effected or not effected by chemicals found in the community.