Transcript Air Pollution and Agriculture Agriculture, Society and the Natural World Assignment Column: California's growing air pollution control political firestorm http://westernfarmpress.com/news/farming_column_californias_growing/ Go to the following California Air.

Air Pollution and Agriculture
Agriculture, Society and the
Natural World
Assignment
Column: California's growing air pollution control
political firestorm
http://westernfarmpress.com/news/farming_column_californias_growing/
Go to the following California Air Resources Board Website
and peruse through the various information available
http://www.arb.ca.gov/homepage.htm
Next, go through the various question/answers on the map
variations at the website below, which is part of the CARB
website.
http://www.arb.ca.gov/knowzone/basin/basin.swf
Why be concerned?
 Human Health Issues
 The PM10 standard includes particles with a diameter of
10 micrometers or less (0.0004 inches or one-seventh the
width of a human hair). Major concerns for human health
from exposure to PM10 include: effects on breathing and
respiratory systems; damage to lung tissue; cancer; and
premature death. The elderly, children, and people with
chronic lung disease, influenza, or asthma are especially
sensitive to the effects of particulate matter. Acidic PM10
can also damage human-made materials and is a major
cause of reduced visibility in many parts of the United
States.
Burning





Smoke generated by agricultural burning is comprised primarily of small
particles, gases, and water vapor, with trace amounts of hazardous air
pollutants. Under certain circumstances, it can have adverse health impacts,
particularly among those with heart and lung diseases. Older adults and
children are also high-risk groups.
Most harmful are the particles (or particulate matter) smaller than 2.5
micrometers in diameter (70 micrometers is the diameter of a human hair).
When these particles are inhaled deeply into the lungs, they can damage lung
tissue and cause respiratory and cardiovascular problems. Symptoms from
short-term smoke exposure range from scratchy throat, cough, irritated
sinuses, headaches, runny nose, and stinging eyes to more serious reactions
among persons with asthma, emphysema, congestive heart disease, and other
existing medical conditions, children and the elderly.
Most Ag Burning in California is banned effective Jan. 1, 2005
All Almond and Walnut burning will be banned in 2010
Alternatives to Burning…Shredding
– Challenges
 Plant Health Issues
 Injury to foliage may be visible in a short
time and appear as necrotic lesions (dead
tissue), or it can develop slowly as a
yellowing or chlorosis of the leaf. There may
be a reduction in growth of various portions
of a plant. Plants may be killed outright, but
they usually do not succumb until they have
suffered recurrent injury.
Sources and Types of Agricultural
Air Pollution





Nitrogen Compounds
PM10…Dust
Odor
Smoke
Agricultural burning is a method of removing crop
residue used by farmers and others to control
disease, weeds and pests, to reduce the need for
herbicides and pesticides, and to reduce fire
hazards. It is also a method of clearing irrigation
ditches and canals.
Journal

Where does our valley pollution come from?

Should people in different parts of the state be concerned with air quality not in
their area?

What are some alternatives or answers to our air pollution problems?

How much does agriculture contribute to our valley air pollution and what types
of air pollution are directly related to agricultural operations?

Do you feel that it is fair to target agriculture and its contribution to our valley air
quality problems and why?

Do you feel that there is a future where our air will be clean and free of harmful
levels of pollutants or do you think that we will always have this problem ?
…justify your answer .

What is the most interesting thing you learned from this evening’s guest
lecturer?