air pollution in the city of san Bernardino, ca

1. Air Pollution
 Air pollution occurs when the air contains gases, dust, fumes or odour in harmful
amounts. That is, amounts which could be harmful to the health or comfort of
humans and animals or which could cause damage to plants and materials. The
substances that cause air pollution are called pollutants. Pollutants that are pumped
into our atmosphere and directly pollute the air are called primary pollutants.
Primary pollutant examples include carbon monoxide from car exhausts and sulfur
dioxide from the combustion of coal. Further pollution can arise if primary pollutants
in the atmosphere undergo chemical reactions. The resulting compounds are
called secondary pollutants. Photochemical smog is an example of this.
Keyna Collier

2. Where is it or where is it
happening?
 It’s happening right here in
southern California, San
Bernardino has the highest
cancer risk from rail yard
pollution of any community.
 In the article “Railroads sued
over diesel soot at California
rail yards” the coalition
environmental group is suing
three companies that
operates 17 rail yards
throughout California
because of the high toxic
diesel particulate emissions
spewed by locomotives and
trucks over surrounding
communities.
 These 17 rail yards targeted
collectively emit more than
160 tons of diesel particulate
matter a year.

3. How does it affect life on Earth? Or how is life
on Earth affected by it?
 Most of these rail yard is located
literally across the street from
residential areas and small
businesses.
 Diesel fumes and coal dust from
rail yard threaten the health of the
people who live, work in
communities.
 Coal dust contains mercury, lead,
and other poisons. Exposure to
these pollutants can cause
asthma, lung disease, and even
premature death.
 We breathe air to live and what we
breathe has a direct impact on our
health. For example in the article a
lady states “I have three air
cleaners in my home, but there's a
heavy film of soot on the walls and
counters.

4. Southern California

5. What are some solutions?
THE SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM IS TO REPLACES
OLDER, MORE POLLUTING LOCOMOTIVES AND
TRUCKS WITH NEWER, CLEANER MODELS, PROHIBIT
IDLING NEAR RESIDENCES AND ADOPT
TECHNOLOGIES DESIGNED TO REDUCE DIESEL
SOOT AND ALSO HELP REDUCE HEALTH RISK.