Comment Log Display

I just read an article in the LA Times regarding this issue.  I
have been following the growing concern over soot pollution in LA
for sometime.  I have worked in the Santa Monica school district
for 15 years, four of those as a Elementary PE Teacher.  I have
been monitoring PM 2.5 for some years now via SCAQMD and honestly
it's scary. The NW Coastal pollution and traffic congestion is a
growing plague, though probably not as bad as the port areas.

Growing up in Los Angeles as a child in the 70s, I remember the
"Smog Alerts" and having to spend the day indoors.  It seems that
we have not been doing much at all to protect today's young lives
who play hard in particulate pollution almost every single day.  It
is very hard for me to send my students out to PE or any outdoor
physical activity just knowing that the PM 2.5 levels are in the
"yellow" or "orange" range. It's much harder to watch those who
have inhalers, asthma or students with heart problems play with
their friends in the polluted air.  I have a four year old and a
two month old of my own and I just don't even feel comfortable
taking them to the park unless we're in the "green," which doesn't
happen nearly enough.

If installing particulate traps on diesel polluting vehicles is a
remedy until we can get more alternative fuels flowing, then this
should become mandated for our entire state to not only protect
people, but wildlife, and a warming planet.  It could create jobs
and provide for almost immediate relief, as PM pollution can be
controlled.  I think that traps should be extended to trains, all
heavy machinery, planes, boats and all diesel vehicles--most
importantly and way over due, every school bus in our state and
beyond should be either on alternative fuel or in the least be
retrofitted.  There are still way too many buses that spew out
pollution and it's an embarrassment, and testament to how much we
value our children.

Finally, I'm heading up to our local mountains in Big Bear this
week to relax before school starts.  I wonder what the air will be
like there?  I know that even our local mountains are also affected
by this type of pollution.  There's no way of escaping it.  Please
do what you must to enforce these public safeguards and help take
the steps to move California beyond fossil fuels--we are running
out of time.  Paying particular attention to a pollution problem
with a word that begins with the letters, "DIE" I think should be
taken seriously.  This fall I will teaching my third grade students
much more about this horrible reality we have to deal with and
educate them about doing what they can to do help. I guarantee they
will be very excited and about it and more than eager to do their
part,  will you?

Thank you for you time,

Joseph Ramirez