First Name | Betty |
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Last Name | Plowman |
Email Address | betty@cdtoa.org |
Affiliation | Ca. Dump Truck Owners Association |
Subject | Poverty & Unemployment are the REAL Killers |
Comment | Early last month, a story that intrigued me came from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and was titled “California’s Unhealthiest Counties.” You can read this yourself by going to www.countyhealthrankings.org/california. After checking my own county (Solano, ranked 28th) I proceeded to the unhealthiest and found Del Norte, listed at the bottom, number 58, dead last. Del Norte borders Oregon to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the west. “How can this be?” I thought. I was made to believe that it was us, you know, the owners of all these killer diesel engines who were responsible for all the ills of the world, including but not limited to premature deaths, asthma, cancer, reproductive harm and even low IQs in children. A quick trip to Del Norte County’s website took me to pictures of their beautiful forests and the “Old Growth Redwoods.” It also boasted of “no smog.” Further research of their air pollution readings showed 0 days for particulate matter and 0 days for ozone. The Foundation’s report noted that the poorly ranked counties often had multiple challenges to overcome, including, Two- and three-fold higher rates of premature death, often from preventable conditions. The report also noted that this county had: • High smoking rates that lead to cancer, heart disease, bronchitis and emphysema. • High rates of obesity which can put people at risk for diabetes, disability and heart disease. • High unemployment and poverty rates. • High numbers of liquor stores and fast-food outlets, but few places to buy fresh fruits and vegetables. So where and when does the diesel-caused dirty air bullet come into play for this county? The truth is – it doesn’t! I also searched the results for Contra Costa County (ranked 19), where I grew up. Although Contra Costa only has 5 days of high particulate matter and 2 high ozone days now, nevertheless, its Director of Public Health, Dr. Wendell Brunner made the following statement, “Neighborhoods near busy freeways still suffer from diesel emissions.” See how easy it is to skew the cause of premature death back to diesel with one inaccurate talking point? Now, let’s show some other statistics from one of our healthiest counties, Santa Clara (ranked 4). Santa Clara County has three interstate freeway, I-280, I-680 and I-880. In addition they have U.S. 101 and eight expressways. If we are to believe Dr, Brunner, one lousy freeway, I-80 and a very short stretch of 580 goes through Richmond and San Pablo, and this is what he chooses to capitalize on. I submit the following to you, Dr. Brunner, and I say this after growing up in a once very polluted Richmond, CA: you have much more to worry about than diesel emissions, such as poverty, unemployment, lack of access to proper health care and even nutrition, high crime due to joblessness, and the fact that in 2008 this city of 102,000 had 27 people murdered. But no, you cite freeways and vehicle emissions as the leading cause of what – suffering? What in the world are you talking about? You see, folks, these are the types of people who are in charge of your future. We all need to be scared of them and not the diesel emissions! This all reminds me of a quote by Albert Einstein, sent to me by a member, and very appropriate after reading Dr. Brunner’s comments: “If the facts don’t fit the theory, change the facts.” |
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Date and Time Comment Was Submitted | 2010-03-18 13:25:15 |
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