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conclusions that areas with increased ozone and particulate matter levels are the main contributors in the
San Joaquin Valley. Exposure to the pollutants has many factors including traffic, agricultural activities,
wood burning, and combustion sources. These have been found to contribute to the health related issues
that arise in the San Joaquin Valley. Other issues related to cardiac and pulmonary effects are largely due
to the size differentiation in particulate matter and seasonal exposure (Plummer 2015). Pulmonary injuries
and inflammatory responses were prominent in leading to cell damage in the body. These pulmonary
diseases and inflammatory responses such as asthma attacks or exacerbation and acute bronchitis have
lead to an increase in hospital admissions. Other adverse effects of pollution in the San Joaquin Valley have
been correlated to preterm births (Huang 2018). Studies have linked particulate matter as well as other
contaminants such as water, carbon, sulfate, and lead to increased levels of preterm births. This is
associated with adverse consequences in childhood and adulthood secondary to exposure of pollution.
Economic impacts: New studies have suggested that health related impacts of air pollution have cost the
region approximately billions of dollars each year. Initiatives that focus on the adverse effects of health
related issues and their economic risks have found that the environmental concerns are typically put aside.
The cost of air pollution in the San Joaquin Valley is around one-thousand per person due to premature
deaths in adults, hospital visits and admissions, days off work, and other health-related issues (Hewlett
Foundation 2006). These components are seen more prominently in communities of low socioeconomic
status. This is linked to inability to have healthcare which in turn does not allow for the care the citizens
need to help resolve or take care of the health issue. With the population projected to continue to grow,
the San Joaquin Valley with only double the health effects and economic hardship with the increase of
pollution. Since the San Joaquin Valley is vulnerable to environmental challenges like climate change,
climate policies have been put in place to help control the impacts of pollution (Jones 2018).
Environmental Policies
The San Joaquin Valley has failed to meet federal health standards for ozone and particulate for years now.
This has caused the implementation of various policies to be put in place to help maintain pollution in the
Valley. The EPA has worked alongside the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District and the Central
Valley Air Quality Coalition to help reduce particulate matter and ozone. Other works in the making have
been enforced to regulate clean-vehicle programs, restrictions on wood burning, and other sources of
pollution (EPA 2018). Other ways to help reduce pollution has been due to advances in technology in
engines and clean energy. Medical research has been another contributor in finding ways to reduce the
emissions of ozone and particulate matter and the health effects in children, adults, and the elderly. Clean
air enforcement have been enforcing permits specifically to facilities to ensure proper installation for air
pollution control. If facilities do not obtain these permits, they could pay penalties up to hundreds of
thousands of dollars. Other measures to help reduce landfill pollution has been implemented by the Clean
Air Act Settlement to make sure there are less landfill fleets with polluting vehicles. The Clean Air Act has
also resolved a major issues regarding oil and gas production that has been correlated with greenhouse
emissions. The company that was causing these emissions agreed to pay thousands of dollars to settle the
issue (EPA 2018).
Conclusion
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