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Groups protest unhealthy air quality

By MARTÍN E. MARTÍNEZ / Vida En El Valle

SACRAMENTO -- Five years ago, Socorro Gaeta, 44, was diagnosed with a severe case of chronic asthma, which came as a surprise to her.

Gaeta had always led a healthy life and rarely got sick. After several visits to the doctor, she finally learned the reason for her misfortune: In the Fresno farming area where she lives, vast quantities of chemicals are used in agriculture.

But the saddest part for Gaeta is that her 18-year-old son also suffers from asthma, despite the fact that he's always been a dedicated athlete.

"The problem is that here in Fresno nothing is done to regulate agricultural chemicals. We're all exposed to them, and that's why a large part of the population suffers from this disease," Gaeta explained.

Motivated by that awareness, Gaeta formed the Central Valley Air Quality (CVAQ) organization, which last week held its second annual Clean Air Action Day. People from around the Central Valley gathered outside the Capitol to protest unhealthy air quality in their areas.

The coalition also met to support three legislative proposals that are now being heard on the state Senate floor.

The first proposal is AB 2522, from Assemblymember Juan Arámbula, D-Fresno. It seeks to authorize the San Joaquín Valley Air Pollution Control District to increase the surcharge on motor vehicle registration fees up to $30 per vehicle per year to reduce surplus emissions.

The second is SB 1548, from state Sen. Dean Flórez, D-Shafter. The bill would create a special city selection committee to appoint city councilmembers to the San Joaquín Valley Unified Air Pollution Control District with the mission of exploring solutions to the region's pollution problems.

The third is SB 974, from Alan Lowenthal, D-Long Beach. It would improve air quality and reduce health-related problems in port communities by funding pollution relief and other needed improvements. SB 974 would also impose a nominal $30 fee on each shipping container that enters the ports of Los Angeles, Long Beach and Oakland -- $15 each for pollution mitigation and for rail improvements.

"We all deserve air that's clean and free of contaminants, like any other part of California. The Central Valley is the most polluted area in the state, and home to the greatest number of asthma cases. So we ask for your help in approving these proposals for the good of our people," said Flórez.

According to the California Air Resources Board, nearly one in three children in Fresno has asthma problems.

Rey León, vice president of the air quality group, reinforced the message that the Central Valley pollution problem is very serious and that very little has been done to lower pollution levels.

"Often in cities like Fresno, we exceed permissible levels of pollution, due to the constant flow of trucks on the freeways and to the use of chemicals in agriculture. Today Fresno is considered the most polluted city in the country," León said.

Former Fresno Assemblymember Sarah Reyes said everyone in the area needs to support these bills because they directly address the pollution problem.

"These proposals mean a higher quality of life for all Central Valley residents. We should support them to fight scourges like asthma and other pollution-related diseases for the good of ourselves and our children," Reyes said.

Last year, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger approved SB 719, directing the state to appoint a doctor and a scientist to provide information and assistance for cases of disease related to pollution.

Send e-mail to: mmartinez@vidaenelvalle.com