BAKERSFIELD, CA- The lack of rain is causing air pollution concerns across the state. It's no surprise, the worst air quality is reportedly right here, in the San Joaquin Valley. A new study attributes bad air in the western united states, to Chinese exports.
The National Academy of Science reports 12% to 24% of daily sulfate concentration in the western U.S., is directly related to products manufactured in China, and exported here.
Dry weather conditions are trapping fine particles close to the ground, making matters worse.
Last week, heavy smog in Beijing and southern China, spiked to dangerous levels and cut visibility to less than 100 yards. Scientists say those pollutants are carried here on global wind currents, called westerlies, increasing our ozone pollution.
Unchanged weather patterns and a persistent high pressure system over the past few weeks, are also factors in the consistent poor air quality.
Air pollution meteorologist Dar Mims said, "When we have this lack of rainfall, we have the lack of dispersion and we don't get those clean outs. So it's been partial with the dry weather."
The California Air Resources Board reports recent particulate levels in the valley are more than triple the federal standard. Assistant division chief Karen Magliano says it has been especially bad in the San Joaquin Valley and parts of northern California.
Magliano said, "Some of the weather conditions that we've been seeing lately, certainly these very stagnant air that we've been experiencing day after day and the lack of rain all play into this fine particle matter building up."
Hospitals and health clinics state-wide are reporting more patients with breathing difficulties. State officials say 9,200 people die prematurely in California, every year, because of exposure to air pollution.
There is no relief in the near future, with no rain in our forecast.
The National Academy of Science reports 12% to 24% of daily sulfate concentration in the western U.S., is directly related to products manufactured in China, and exported here.
Dry weather conditions are trapping fine particles close to the ground, making matters worse.
Last week, heavy smog in Beijing and southern China, spiked to dangerous levels and cut visibility to less than 100 yards. Scientists say those pollutants are carried here on global wind currents, called westerlies, increasing our ozone pollution.
Unchanged weather patterns and a persistent high pressure system over the past few weeks, are also factors in the consistent poor air quality.
Air pollution meteorologist Dar Mims said, "When we have this lack of rainfall, we have the lack of dispersion and we don't get those clean outs. So it's been partial with the dry weather."
The California Air Resources Board reports recent particulate levels in the valley are more than triple the federal standard. Assistant division chief Karen Magliano says it has been especially bad in the San Joaquin Valley and parts of northern California.
Magliano said, "Some of the weather conditions that we've been seeing lately, certainly these very stagnant air that we've been experiencing day after day and the lack of rain all play into this fine particle matter building up."
Hospitals and health clinics state-wide are reporting more patients with breathing difficulties. State officials say 9,200 people die prematurely in California, every year, because of exposure to air pollution.
There is no relief in the near future, with no rain in our forecast.