Air Pollution and Agriculture Agriculture, Society and the Natural World

Assignment Column: California's growing air pollution control political firestorm Go to the following California Air Resources Board Website and peruse through the various information available Next, go through the various question/answers on the map variations at the website below, which is part of the CARB website.

Why be concerned?  Human Health Issues  The PM10 standard includes particles with a diameter of 10 micrometers or less ( 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?