Air pollution workshops scheduled for Wednesday
Residents of Calexico and Westmorland concerned with air pollution in their respective communities are invited to voice their opinions during two separate public workshops Wednesday.
During the workshops, presented by the Imperial County Air Pollution Control District, organizers will present, discuss and receive community feedback about government emissions mitigation programs.
The first workshop will begin at 10 a.m. at the city of Calexico Council Chambers, 608 Heber Ave., while the second workshop will begin at 3 p.m. at the city of Westmorland Youth Hall, 200 W. Second St. Spanish translation services will be offered at both workshops. For more information, call (442) 265-1800.
The air district — created after the passage on July 26, 2017, of California Assembly Bill 617 — provides a community-focused action framework to reduce exposure to pollution within disadvantaged communities most affected by air pollution, according to a press release. Both Calexico and Westmorland have been identified by the state of California as disadvantaged, or low-income, communities.
California is divided into Air Pollution Control Districts and Air Quality Management Districts that are county or regional governing authorities that have primary responsibility for controlling air pollution from stationary sources, according to the California Air Resources Board.
The overall goal of such air districts is to reduce harmful air emissions and to create a framework for community protection, according to a press release.
The local air district works with the Imperial County Board of Directors, city mayors, environmental group leaders and other stakeholders to promote pollution mitigation, according to the California Air Resources board.
according to the California Air Resources board.
Pollution sources in Calexico include geothermal power generation, food processing, plaster manufacturing and other light industrial facilities, as well as vehicle emissions from traffic traveling through the international port of entry, according to the California Air Resources board, with agriculture a major source of pollution in Westmorland.
Both Calexico and Westmorland on Saturday had moderate Air Quality Index ratings, 60 and 66 respectively, according to www.imperialvalleyair.org. The AQI scale extends from 0 to 500, with values below 100 generally considered to be satisfactory, and values above 100 representing unhealthy air pollution, according to the Imperial County Public Health Department.
Data for the online monitoring service are collected from monitoring stations in Calexico, El Centro, Brawley, Westmorland and Niland.
Air pollutants can impact public health and can put the very young, the very old and those with certain pre-existing medical conditions at risk, according to the health department. Pollutants can cause breathing difficulties, asthma, lung damage, bronchitis, cancer, and brain and nervous system damage.
For more information about air quality, visit http://www.icphd.org/be-prepared/ air-quality/.
For more information about the Imperial County Air Pollution Control District, visit http://www.co.imperial.ca.us/ AirPollution/.