Some of the largest sources of emissions in Ventura County come from motor vehicles, industry, and agriculture. Currently Ventura County is still working on meeting state and federal standards for harmful particles, called particulate matter, from industry and transportation. The top three air emission concerns in Ventura County are: Ozone gas occurs both in the Earth’s upper atmosphere and at ground-level. At the ground-level, ozone is a harmful air pollutant and is the main ingredient in smog. Ozone is created when NOx (oxides of nitrogen) and VOC (volatile organic compounds) react – like when pollutants emitted by cars, power and chemical plants, refineries, and other fossil fuel combustion chemically react in the presence of sunlight. Ozone is most likely to reach unhealthy levels on hot sunny days in urban environments, but can still reach high levels during colder months and can be transported by winds to rural areas. Particulate matter is a combination of fine solids such as dirt, soil dust, pollens, molds, ashes and soot, and aerosols that are formed in the atmosphere from combustion of fossil fuels. Individually, these particles and droplets are not visible to the naked eye. Collectively, however, they reduce visibility and can appear as cloud or fog-like haze. While not considered an inhalation hazard, greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions are a concern to the health of Ventura County residents – especially with our high vulnerability to fires, drought, heat stress and floods. The largest source of GHG emissions in the United States is from burning fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas) for electricity, building and water heating, and transportation. Because air pollution and GHG are often released from the same sources, cutting GHG emissions to slow climate change also reduces air pollutants, like those listed above. Lungs are the greatest source of exposure to air pollution. According to recent studies, air pollution kills about 50,000 people in the United States each year – from heart disease, asthma, stroke, bronchitis, and other illnesses. That is more people than die in car accidents! The potential health threat from smog is greater in California than it is in any other state. Researches estimate that one in five people are extremely susceptible to severe health damage as a result. Ground-level ozone, the primary ingredient of city smog, can cause numerous health effects including: Pollutant exposure can also reduce resistance to infections – like COVID-19. Learn more from the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District. An easy way to get involved is to follow CFROG and sign up for Action Alerts – we are your oil and gas watchdog. After learning about air quality, contact your representative to make a change in your community. Board of Supervisors Representatives: Carmen Ramirez, 5th District (805)654-2613 (Communities represented: El Rio, Nyeland Acres, Del Norte, Oxnard Plain, Oxnard College, Oxnard Shores, Mandalay Bay, Silver Strand, Hollywood Beach, Hollywood by the Sea, Channel Islands Harbor, Strickland and a portion of the Ventura County Naval Base Pt. Hueneme) Kelly Long, 3rd District (805)654-2276 (Communities represented: Camarillo, Port Hueneme, Southeast Oxnard, East Oxnard Plain, Santa Paula, Fillmore, Piru, East Lockwood Valley, and Eastern Portion of Naval Base Ventura County Port Hueneme) For other communities, find your representative here. The map below shows particulate matter rating and is derived from a network of particulate matter monitors located across the globe. This map focuses on Ventura County and you can increase or decrease the spatial resolution. Additionally, the map below is operated by the US EPA and includes ozone ratings. Visit us on Facebook and Instagram to learn how to enter our Patagonia item giveaway!
Clean Air Day
Have you ever wondered what is in the air you breathe? What about the air your children breathe while playing outside?
1. Ozone (aka smog)
2. Particulate matter
3. Greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions
How does air pollution affect your health?
From our first breath to our last, which is in our air can impact our health. Exposure to air pollution can lead to many health risks.
What are simple steps you can take to improve air quality?
How to get involved in the policy-making that affects your air?
What is the air quality in your neighborhood?
