Air quality officials seek residents' feedback

The Valley’s air pollution control district wants ideas and feedback from residents about how to make the air cleaner.

An informal and informational chat will take place at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Porterville Public Library in the Community Room, 41 W. Thurman Ave.

Air pollution, which affects people and vegetation, has gotten better, but representatives from the San Valley Air Pollution Control District have more work to do. Through conversations with residents, they want to enhance their databases with fresh information and educate people on new ways to reduce bad emissions.

“We know that people are interested and concerned,” spokeswoman Janelle Schneider said.

Since 1990, emissions in the San Joaquin Valley have been reduced by nearly 60 percent, according to 2008 report on Valley air.

“Air quality has been pretty good this summer,” Schneider said.

Ozone and particulate matter are the two pollutants responsible for a majority of the Valley’s air quality problem, affecting human health and vegetation. Heavy duty diesel trucks, pesticides and fertilizers, food and agricultural processing are examples of ozone-damaging culprits.

Bad air quality can cause asthma attacks and respiratory conditions. It also weakens plants, making them susceptible to diseases, and affects pets, cold and drought, Lucinda Roth, supervisor with the air district, said.

“It’s a two hour presentation, but it’s not a direct presentation,” Roth said. “We really want feedback from residents.”

Admission to the chat is free. There will be refreshments, an iPod give-away, and Spanish-language interpretation.

-- Contact Jenna Chandler at 784-5000, Ext. 1045, or jchandler@portervillerecorder.com.