window.__IS_SSR__=true
window.__INITIAL_STATE__={
"attachmentsReducer": {
"audio_0": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "audio_0",
"imgSizes": {
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/themes/KQED-unified/img/audio_bgs/background0.jpg"
}
}
},
"audio_1": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "audio_1",
"imgSizes": {
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/themes/KQED-unified/img/audio_bgs/background1.jpg"
}
}
},
"audio_2": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "audio_2",
"imgSizes": {
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/themes/KQED-unified/img/audio_bgs/background2.jpg"
}
}
},
"audio_3": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "audio_3",
"imgSizes": {
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/themes/KQED-unified/img/audio_bgs/background3.jpg"
}
}
},
"audio_4": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "audio_4",
"imgSizes": {
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/themes/KQED-unified/img/audio_bgs/background4.jpg"
}
}
},
"placeholder": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "placeholder",
"imgSizes": {
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-160x107.jpg",
"width": 160,
"height": 107,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"medium": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-800x533.jpg",
"width": 800,
"height": 533,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"medium_large": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-768x512.jpg",
"width": 768,
"height": 512,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"large": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-1020x680.jpg",
"width": 1020,
"height": 680,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"1536x1536": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-1536x1024.jpg",
"width": 1536,
"height": 1024,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"fd-lrg": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-1536x1024.jpg",
"width": 1536,
"height": 1024,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"fd-med": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-1020x680.jpg",
"width": 1020,
"height": 680,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"fd-sm": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-800x533.jpg",
"width": 800,
"height": 533,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"height": 372,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-1038x576.jpg",
"width": 1038,
"height": 576,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"xxsmall": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-160x107.jpg",
"width": 160,
"height": 107,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"xsmall": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"height": 372,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"small": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"height": 372,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"xlarge": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-1020x680.jpg",
"width": 1020,
"height": 680,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"full-width": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-1920x1280.jpg",
"width": 1920,
"height": 1280,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"guest-author-32": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-1333x1333-1-160x160.jpg",
"width": 32,
"height": 32,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"guest-author-50": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-1333x1333-1-160x160.jpg",
"width": 50,
"height": 50,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"guest-author-64": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-1333x1333-1-160x160.jpg",
"width": 64,
"height": 64,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"guest-author-96": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-1333x1333-1-160x160.jpg",
"width": 96,
"height": 96,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"guest-author-128": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-1333x1333-1-160x160.jpg",
"width": 128,
"height": 128,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"detail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-1333x1333-1-160x160.jpg",
"width": 160,
"height": 160,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1.jpg",
"width": 2000,
"height": 1333
}
}
},
"science_1943598": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "science_1943598",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "science",
"id": "1943598",
"found": true
},
"parent": 1943477,
"imgSizes": {
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2019/06/Shoe-study-dust-1038x576.jpg",
"width": 1038,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 576
},
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2019/06/Shoe-study-dust-160x107.jpg",
"width": 160,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 107
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2019/06/Shoe-study-dust-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 372
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2019/06/Shoe-study-dust.jpg",
"width": 1920,
"height": 1280
},
"large": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2019/06/Shoe-study-dust-1020x680.jpg",
"width": 1020,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 680
},
"complete_open_graph": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2019/06/Shoe-study-dust-1200x800.jpg",
"width": 1200,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 800
},
"full-width": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2019/06/Shoe-study-dust-1920x1280.jpg",
"width": 1920,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 1280
},
"medium": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2019/06/Shoe-study-dust-800x533.jpg",
"width": 800,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 533
},
"medium_large": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2019/06/Shoe-study-dust-768x512.jpg",
"width": 768,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 512
}
},
"publishDate": 1560979840,
"modified": 1560979989,
"caption": "Dirty shoes worn indoors are just one factor in making household dust unhealthy.",
"description": null,
"title": "Shoe-study-dust",
"credit": "Maarten Van Damme/Flickr",
"status": "inherit",
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
},
"science_1943159": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "science_1943159",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "science",
"id": "1943159",
"found": true
},
"parent": 1943152,
"imgSizes": {
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2019/06/RS14373_interstate5-qut-1038x576.jpg",
"width": 1038,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 576
},
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2019/06/RS14373_interstate5-qut-160x104.jpg",
"width": 160,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 104
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2019/06/RS14373_interstate5-qut-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 372
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2019/06/RS14373_interstate5-qut.jpg",
"width": 1920,
"height": 1251
},
"large": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2019/06/RS14373_interstate5-qut-1020x665.jpg",
"width": 1020,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 665
},
"complete_open_graph": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2019/06/RS14373_interstate5-qut-1200x782.jpg",
"width": 1200,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 782
},
"full-width": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2019/06/RS14373_interstate5-qut-1920x1251.jpg",
"width": 1920,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 1251
},
"medium": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2019/06/RS14373_interstate5-qut-800x521.jpg",
"width": 800,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 521
},
"medium_large": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2019/06/RS14373_interstate5-qut-768x500.jpg",
"width": 768,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 500
}
},
"publishDate": 1560186044,
"modified": 1560186144,
"caption": "Traffic rolls along Interstate 5 just west of the Merced County town of Gustine.",
"description": null,
"title": "RS14373_interstate5-qut",
"credit": "Dan Brekke/KQED",
"status": "inherit",
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
},
"science_1934501": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "science_1934501",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "science",
"id": "1934501",
"found": true
},
"parent": 1934487,
"imgSizes": {
"small": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/Image-from-iOS-520x390.jpg",
"width": 520,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 390
},
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/Image-from-iOS-1038x576.jpg",
"width": 1038,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 576
},
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/Image-from-iOS-160x120.jpg",
"width": 160,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 120
},
"fd-sm": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/Image-from-iOS-960x720.jpg",
"width": 960,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 720
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/Image-from-iOS-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 372
},
"xsmall": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/Image-from-iOS-375x281.jpg",
"width": 375,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 281
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/Image-from-iOS-e1556145524872.jpg",
"width": 1920,
"height": 1440
},
"large": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/Image-from-iOS-1020x765.jpg",
"width": 1020,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 765
},
"xlarge": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/Image-from-iOS-1180x885.jpg",
"width": 1180,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 885
},
"complete_open_graph": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/Image-from-iOS-1200x900.jpg",
"width": 1200,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 900
},
"guest-author-50": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/Image-from-iOS-50x50.jpg",
"width": 50,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 50
},
"guest-author-96": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/Image-from-iOS-96x96.jpg",
"width": 96,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 96
},
"medium": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/Image-from-iOS-800x600.jpg",
"width": 800,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 600
},
"guest-author-64": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/Image-from-iOS-64x64.jpg",
"width": 64,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 64
},
"guest-author-32": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/Image-from-iOS-32x32.jpg",
"width": 32,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 32
},
"fd-lrg": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/Image-from-iOS-1920x1440.jpg",
"width": 1920,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 1440
},
"fd-med": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/Image-from-iOS-1180x885.jpg",
"width": 1180,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 885
},
"full-width": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/Image-from-iOS-1920x1440.jpg",
"width": 1920,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 1440
},
"detail": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/Image-from-iOS-150x150.jpg",
"width": 150,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 150
},
"medium_large": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/Image-from-iOS-768x576.jpg",
"width": 768,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 576
},
"guest-author-128": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/Image-from-iOS-128x128.jpg",
"width": 128,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 128
},
"xxsmall": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/Image-from-iOS-240x180.jpg",
"width": 240,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 180
}
},
"publishDate": 1542410927,
"modified": 1556128779,
"caption": "Smoke from the Carr Fire obscures the view of the Golden Gate Bridge, November, 2018. ",
"description": "Smoke obscures the view of the Golden Gate Bridge. Air quality is so bad in the Bay Area this week it's attracted international attention.",
"title": "Image from iOS",
"credit": "Olivia Allen-Price/KQED",
"status": "inherit",
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
},
"science_1937352": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "science_1937352",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "science",
"id": "1937352",
"found": true
},
"parent": 1937151,
"imgSizes": {
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2019/01/835426327_b9c8e58fb6_o-1-1038x576.jpg",
"width": 1038,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 576
},
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2019/01/835426327_b9c8e58fb6_o-1-160x90.jpg",
"width": 160,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 90
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2019/01/835426327_b9c8e58fb6_o-1-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 372
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2019/01/835426327_b9c8e58fb6_o-1-e1548787753264.jpg",
"width": 1920,
"height": 1080
},
"large": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2019/01/835426327_b9c8e58fb6_o-1-1020x574.jpg",
"width": 1020,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 574
},
"complete_open_graph": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2019/01/835426327_b9c8e58fb6_o-1-1200x675.jpg",
"width": 1200,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 675
},
"guest-author-50": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2019/01/835426327_b9c8e58fb6_o-1-50x50.jpg",
"width": 50,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 50
},
"guest-author-96": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2019/01/835426327_b9c8e58fb6_o-1-96x96.jpg",
"width": 96,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 96
},
"medium": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2019/01/835426327_b9c8e58fb6_o-1-800x450.jpg",
"width": 800,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 450
},
"guest-author-64": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2019/01/835426327_b9c8e58fb6_o-1-64x64.jpg",
"width": 64,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 64
},
"guest-author-32": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2019/01/835426327_b9c8e58fb6_o-1-32x32.jpg",
"width": 32,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 32
},
"full-width": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2019/01/835426327_b9c8e58fb6_o-1-1920x1080.jpg",
"width": 1920,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 1080
},
"detail": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2019/01/835426327_b9c8e58fb6_o-1-150x150.jpg",
"width": 150,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 150
},
"medium_large": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2019/01/835426327_b9c8e58fb6_o-1-768x432.jpg",
"width": 768,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 432
},
"guest-author-128": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2019/01/835426327_b9c8e58fb6_o-1-128x128.jpg",
"width": 128,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 128
}
},
"publishDate": 1548787732,
"modified": 1548807179,
"caption": "Sunset over Bakersfield, California, in the San Joaquin Valley.",
"description": null,
"title": "835426327_b9c8e58fb6_o (1)",
"credit": "Andy Castro",
"status": "inherit",
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
},
"science_1934744": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "science_1934744",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "science",
"id": "1934744",
"found": true
},
"parent": 1934155,
"imgSizes": {
"small": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/rain-520x347.jpg",
"width": 520,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 347
},
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/rain-1038x576.jpg",
"width": 1038,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 576
},
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/rain-160x107.jpg",
"width": 160,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 107
},
"fd-sm": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/rain-960x640.jpg",
"width": 960,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 640
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/rain-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 372
},
"xsmall": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/rain-375x250.jpg",
"width": 375,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 250
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/rain.jpg",
"width": 1180,
"height": 787
},
"large": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/rain-1020x680.jpg",
"width": 1020,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 680
},
"xlarge": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/rain-1180x787.jpg",
"width": 1180,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 787
},
"guest-author-50": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/rain-50x50.jpg",
"width": 50,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 50
},
"guest-author-96": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/rain-96x96.jpg",
"width": 96,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 96
},
"medium": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/rain-800x534.jpg",
"width": 800,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 534
},
"guest-author-64": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/rain-64x64.jpg",
"width": 64,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 64
},
"guest-author-32": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/rain-32x32.jpg",
"width": 32,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 32
},
"fd-med": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/rain-1180x787.jpg",
"width": 1180,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 787
},
"detail": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/rain-150x150.jpg",
"width": 150,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 150
},
"medium_large": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/rain-768x512.jpg",
"width": 768,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 512
},
"guest-author-128": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/rain-128x128.jpg",
"width": 128,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 128
},
"xxsmall": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/rain-240x160.jpg",
"width": 240,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 160
}
},
"publishDate": 1542831728,
"modified": 1548371088,
"caption": "Recent storms have brought in around 580 billion gallons of water to California reservoirs.",
"description": "flooded cobblestone sidewalk with puddles of water and raindrops",
"title": "raindrops rippling background",
"credit": "iStock",
"status": "inherit",
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
},
"science_1934379": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "science_1934379",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "science",
"id": "1934379",
"found": true
},
"parent": 1934364,
"imgSizes": {
"small": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/RS33891_SFBridge-qut-520x347.jpg",
"width": 520,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 347
},
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/RS33891_SFBridge-qut-1038x576.jpg",
"width": 1038,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 576
},
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/RS33891_SFBridge-qut-160x107.jpg",
"width": 160,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 107
},
"fd-sm": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/RS33891_SFBridge-qut-960x640.jpg",
"width": 960,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 640
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/RS33891_SFBridge-qut-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 372
},
"xsmall": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/RS33891_SFBridge-qut-375x250.jpg",
"width": 375,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 250
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/RS33891_SFBridge-qut.jpg",
"width": 1100,
"height": 733
},
"large": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/RS33891_SFBridge-qut-1020x680.jpg",
"width": 1020,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 680
},
"guest-author-50": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/RS33891_SFBridge-qut-50x50.jpg",
"width": 50,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 50
},
"guest-author-96": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/RS33891_SFBridge-qut-96x96.jpg",
"width": 96,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 96
},
"medium": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/RS33891_SFBridge-qut-800x533.jpg",
"width": 800,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 533
},
"guest-author-64": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/RS33891_SFBridge-qut-64x64.jpg",
"width": 64,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 64
},
"guest-author-32": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/RS33891_SFBridge-qut-32x32.jpg",
"width": 32,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 32
},
"detail": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/RS33891_SFBridge-qut-150x150.jpg",
"width": 150,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 150
},
"medium_large": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/RS33891_SFBridge-qut-768x512.jpg",
"width": 768,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 512
},
"guest-author-128": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/RS33891_SFBridge-qut-128x128.jpg",
"width": 128,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 128
},
"xxsmall": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/RS33891_SFBridge-qut-240x160.jpg",
"width": 240,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 160
}
},
"publishDate": 1542323515,
"modified": 1542323559,
"caption": "Smoke blankets the Bay Bridge and San Francisco.",
"description": "Smoke blankets the Bay Bridge and San Francisco.",
"title": "RS33891_SFBridge-qut",
"credit": "Samantha Shanahan/KQED",
"status": "inherit",
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
},
"science_1923257": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "science_1923257",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "science",
"id": "1923257",
"found": true
},
"parent": 1923255,
"imgSizes": {
"small": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2018/05/iStock-484942854-520x347.jpg",
"width": 520,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 347
},
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2018/05/iStock-484942854-1038x576.jpg",
"width": 1038,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 576
},
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2018/05/iStock-484942854-160x107.jpg",
"width": 160,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 107
},
"fd-sm": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2018/05/iStock-484942854-960x640.jpg",
"width": 960,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 640
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2018/05/iStock-484942854-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 372
},
"xsmall": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2018/05/iStock-484942854-375x250.jpg",
"width": 375,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 250
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2018/05/iStock-484942854.jpg",
"width": 5514,
"height": 3676
},
"large": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2018/05/iStock-484942854-1020x680.jpg",
"width": 1020,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 680
},
"xlarge": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2018/05/iStock-484942854-1180x787.jpg",
"width": 1180,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 787
},
"complete_open_graph": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2018/05/iStock-484942854-1200x800.jpg",
"width": 1200,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 800
},
"guest-author-50": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2018/05/iStock-484942854-50x50.jpg",
"width": 50,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 50
},
"guest-author-96": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2018/05/iStock-484942854-96x96.jpg",
"width": 96,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 96
},
"medium": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2018/05/iStock-484942854-800x533.jpg",
"width": 800,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 533
},
"guest-author-64": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2018/05/iStock-484942854-64x64.jpg",
"width": 64,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 64
},
"guest-author-32": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2018/05/iStock-484942854-32x32.jpg",
"width": 32,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 32
},
"fd-lrg": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2018/05/iStock-484942854-1920x1280.jpg",
"width": 1920,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 1280
},
"fd-med": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2018/05/iStock-484942854-1180x787.jpg",
"width": 1180,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 787
},
"full-width": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2018/05/iStock-484942854-1920x1280.jpg",
"width": 1920,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 1280
},
"detail": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2018/05/iStock-484942854-150x150.jpg",
"width": 150,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 150
},
"medium_large": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2018/05/iStock-484942854-768x512.jpg",
"width": 768,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 512
},
"guest-author-128": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2018/05/iStock-484942854-128x128.jpg",
"width": 128,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 128
},
"xxsmall": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2018/05/iStock-484942854-240x160.jpg",
"width": 240,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 160
}
},
"publishDate": 1525174109,
"modified": 1525174141,
"caption": "An image of downtown Los Angeles covered in a layer of smog.",
"description": null,
"title": "Los Angeles Smog",
"credit": "iStock",
"status": "inherit",
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
},
"science_24330": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "science_24330",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "science",
"id": "24330",
"found": true
},
"parent": 24329,
"imgSizes": {
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2014/11/EPA.jpg",
"width": 850,
"height": 567
}
},
"publishDate": 1417028327,
"modified": 1417028327,
"caption": "Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)",
"description": "Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)",
"title": "EPA",
"credit": null,
"status": "inherit",
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
},
"science_12592": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "science_12592",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "science",
"id": "12592",
"found": true
},
"parent": 12461,
"imgSizes": {
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2013/12/IMG_4424_feature.jpg",
"width": 640,
"height": 360
}
},
"publishDate": 1388376948,
"modified": 1388376948,
"caption": "Not fog: a passing tanker is barely discernible in the Christmas Day smog surrounding Mt. Tamalpais. (Craig Miller)",
"description": null,
"title": "IMG_4424_feature",
"credit": null,
"status": "inherit",
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
},
"science_11280": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "science_11280",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "science",
"id": "11280",
"found": true
},
"parent": 11257,
"imgSizes": {
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2013/11/IMG_4397_web.jpg",
"width": 640,
"height": 360
}
},
"publishDate": 1384997741,
"modified": 1384997741,
"caption": "Richmond Pacific Railroad's clean-diesel switch engine, the first of its kind in the U.S.",
"description": null,
"title": "IMG_4397_web",
"credit": null,
"status": "inherit",
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
},
"science_7566": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "science_7566",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "science",
"id": "7566",
"found": true
},
"parent": 7564,
"imgSizes": {
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/35/2013/08/1_mobile_ynp_1-1344_rimfire-e1377565966237.jpeg",
"width": 640,
"height": 358
}
},
"publishDate": 1377565627,
"modified": 1377565627,
"caption": "Smoke plume from the Rim Fire, as it intensified last week. Photo: USFS",
"description": null,
"title": "1_mobile_ynp_1-1344_rimfire",
"credit": null,
"status": "inherit",
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
}
},
"audioPlayerReducer": {
"postId": "stream_live",
"isPaused": true,
"isPlaying": false,
"pfsActive": false,
"pledgeModalIsOpen": true,
"playerDrawerIsOpen": false,
"liveAudioPlayStartedAt": 0,
"liveAudioPlayContext": ""
},
"authorsReducer": {
"byline_science_1943477": {
"type": "authors",
"id": "byline_science_1943477",
"meta": {
"override": true
},
"slug": "byline_science_1943477",
"name": "Gabriel Filippelli",
"isLoading": false
},
"byline_science_1943152": {
"type": "authors",
"id": "byline_science_1943152",
"meta": {
"override": true
},
"slug": "byline_science_1943152",
"name": "Julie Cart \u003cbr/> CALmatters \u003cbr>",
"isLoading": false
},
"byline_science_1934155": {
"type": "authors",
"id": "byline_science_1934155",
"meta": {
"override": true
},
"slug": "byline_science_1934155",
"name": "KQED Science and KQED News",
"isLoading": false
},
"byline_science_1923255": {
"type": "authors",
"id": "byline_science_1923255",
"meta": {
"override": true
},
"slug": "byline_science_1923255",
"name": "Seth Borenstein\u003cbr />The Associated Press",
"isLoading": false
},
"cmiller": {
"type": "authors",
"id": "221",
"meta": {
"index": "authors_1716337520",
"id": "221",
"found": true
},
"name": "Craig Miller",
"firstName": "Craig",
"lastName": "Miller",
"slug": "cmiller",
"email": "craig@voxterra.net",
"display_author_email": false,
"staff_mastheads": [
"science"
],
"title": "Editor Emeritus, Science",
"bio": "Craig is a former KQED Science editor, specializing in weather, climate, water & energy issues, with a little seismology thrown in just to shake things up. Prior to that, he launched and led the station's award-winning multimedia project, Climate Watch. Craig is also an accomplished writer/producer of television documentaries, with a focus on natural resource issues.",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/b91661df645e001a9cafe0861fa685f9?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twitter": "voxterra",
"facebook": null,
"instagram": null,
"linkedin": null,
"sites": [
{
"site": "news",
"roles": [
"author"
]
},
{
"site": "futureofyou",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "stateofhealth",
"roles": [
"author"
]
},
{
"site": "science",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "quest",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
}
],
"headData": {
"title": "Craig Miller | KQED",
"description": "Editor Emeritus, Science",
"ogImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/b91661df645e001a9cafe0861fa685f9?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/b91661df645e001a9cafe0861fa685f9?s=600&d=blank&r=g"
},
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/author/cmiller"
},
"kdomara": {
"type": "authors",
"id": "1459",
"meta": {
"index": "authors_1716337520",
"id": "1459",
"found": true
},
"name": "Kelly O'Mara",
"firstName": "Kelly",
"lastName": "O'Mara",
"slug": "kdomara",
"email": "komara@kqed.org",
"display_author_email": false,
"staff_mastheads": [
"news"
],
"title": "KQED Contributor",
"bio": "Kelly O'Mara is a writer and reporter in the San Francisco Bay Area. She writes about food, health, sports, travel, business and California news. Her work has appeared on KQED, online for Outside Magazine, epsnW, VICE and in Competitor Magazine, among others. Follow Kelly on Twitter \u003ca href=\"https://twitter.com/kellydomara\">@kellydomara\u003c/a>.",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/768fec7412028b72f13bdd0f5f9d8186?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twitter": null,
"facebook": null,
"instagram": null,
"linkedin": null,
"sites": [
{
"site": "arts",
"roles": []
},
{
"site": "news",
"roles": []
},
{
"site": "bayareabites",
"roles": []
},
{
"site": "stateofhealth",
"roles": []
},
{
"site": "science",
"roles": []
},
{
"site": "checkplease",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "food",
"roles": []
},
{
"site": "forum",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "liveblog",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
}
],
"headData": {
"title": "Kelly O'Mara | KQED",
"description": "KQED Contributor",
"ogImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/768fec7412028b72f13bdd0f5f9d8186?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/768fec7412028b72f13bdd0f5f9d8186?s=600&d=blank&r=g"
},
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/author/kdomara"
},
"kqedscience": {
"type": "authors",
"id": "6387",
"meta": {
"index": "authors_1716337520",
"id": "6387",
"found": true
},
"name": "KQED Science",
"firstName": "KQED",
"lastName": "Science",
"slug": "kqedscience",
"email": "kqedscience@gmail.com",
"display_author_email": false,
"staff_mastheads": [],
"title": null,
"bio": "KQED Science brings you award-winning science and environment coverage from the Bay Area and beyond by the flagship Northern California PBS and NPR affiliate.",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/5a295ff49cf82a8c0f30937d3f788b2f?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twitter": null,
"facebook": null,
"instagram": null,
"linkedin": null,
"sites": [
{
"site": "science",
"roles": [
"contributor"
]
},
{
"site": "quest",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "food",
"roles": [
"contributor"
]
}
],
"headData": {
"title": "KQED Science | KQED",
"description": null,
"ogImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/5a295ff49cf82a8c0f30937d3f788b2f?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/5a295ff49cf82a8c0f30937d3f788b2f?s=600&d=blank&r=g"
},
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/author/kqedscience"
},
"parcuni": {
"type": "authors",
"id": "11368",
"meta": {
"index": "authors_1716337520",
"id": "11368",
"found": true
},
"name": "Peter Arcuni",
"firstName": "Peter",
"lastName": "Arcuni",
"slug": "parcuni",
"email": "parcuni@KQED.org",
"display_author_email": false,
"staff_mastheads": [
"science"
],
"title": "Reporter",
"bio": "Peter reports radio and online stories for \u003cem>KQED Science\u003c/em>. His work has also appeared on the \u003cem>The California Report\u003c/em> morning show and \u003cem>KQED News\u003c/em>. His production credits include \u003cem>The California Report, The California Report Magazine\u003c/em> and KQED's local news podcast \u003cem>The Bay\u003c/em>. Other credits include NPR's \u003cem>All Things Considered\u003c/em>, WNYC's \u003cem>Science Friday\u003c/em>, WBUR's \u003cem>Here & Now\u003c/em>, WIRED and SFGate. Peter graduated from Brown University and earned a master's degree in journalism from Stanford. He's covered everything from homelessness to wildfires, health, the environment, arts and Thanksgiving in San Quentin prison. In other lives, he played rock n roll music and studied neuroscience. You can email him at: parcuni@kqed.org",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/d5032f6f27199d478af34ad2e1d98732?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twitter": "peterarcuni",
"facebook": null,
"instagram": null,
"linkedin": null,
"sites": [
{
"site": "news",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "science",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
}
],
"headData": {
"title": "Peter Arcuni | KQED",
"description": "Reporter",
"ogImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/d5032f6f27199d478af34ad2e1d98732?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/d5032f6f27199d478af34ad2e1d98732?s=600&d=blank&r=g"
},
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/author/parcuni"
},
"hhagemann": {
"type": "authors",
"id": "11578",
"meta": {
"index": "authors_1716337520",
"id": "11578",
"found": true
},
"name": "Hannah Hagemann",
"firstName": "Hannah",
"lastName": "Hagemann",
"slug": "hhagemann",
"email": "hhagemann@KQED.org",
"display_author_email": false,
"staff_mastheads": [],
"title": "KQED Contributor",
"bio": null,
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/c3af389deff545c719141a87524965d8?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twitter": null,
"facebook": null,
"instagram": null,
"linkedin": null,
"sites": [
{
"site": "news",
"roles": [
"author"
]
},
{
"site": "science",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
}
],
"headData": {
"title": "Hannah Hagemann | KQED",
"description": "KQED Contributor",
"ogImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/c3af389deff545c719141a87524965d8?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/c3af389deff545c719141a87524965d8?s=600&d=blank&r=g"
},
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/author/hhagemann"
}
},
"pagesReducer": {
"science_tag_air-quality": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "science_524",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "science",
"id": "524",
"score": 9.101776
},
"featImg": null,
"name": "air quality",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "air quality Archives | KQED Science",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 530,
"slug": "air-quality",
"isLoading": false,
"title": "air quality",
"pageMeta": {
"site": "science",
"WpPageTemplate": "page-topic-editorial",
"currentPage": 3
},
"blocks": [
{
"blockName": "kqed/post-list",
"attrs": {
"layout": "cardArticle2",
"query": "posts/science?tag=air-quality",
"seeMore": false,
"paginated": true,
"page": 3
}
},
{
"blockName": "kqed/ad"
}
]
}
},
"pfsSessionReducer": {},
"postsReducer": {
"stream_live": {
"type": "live",
"id": "stream_live",
"audioUrl": "https://streams.kqed.org/kqedradio",
"title": "Live Stream",
"excerpt": "Live Stream information currently unavailable.",
"link": "/radio",
"featImg": "",
"label": {
"name": "KQED Live",
"link": "/"
}
},
"stream_kqedNewscast": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "stream_kqedNewscast",
"audioUrl": "https://www.kqed.org/.stream/anon/radio/RDnews/newscast.mp3?_=1",
"title": "KQED Newscast",
"featImg": "",
"label": {
"name": "88.5 FM",
"link": "/"
}
},
"science_1943477": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "science_1943477",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "science",
"id": "1943477",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1560885396000
]
},
"parent": 0,
"labelTerm": {},
"blocks": [],
"publishDate": 1560885396,
"format": "standard",
"title": "Commentary: The Research Seems Pretty Clear -- Take Your Shoes Off at Home",
"headTitle": "Commentary: The Research Seems Pretty Clear — Take Your Shoes Off at Home | KQED",
"content": "\u003cp>You vacuum it, sweep it and wipe it off your furniture. But do you know what it actually is – and how it may affect your health?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[pullquote size='small' align='right']Shoe bottoms are gross: 96% of shoes have traces of feces bacteria on their soles, including the antimicrobial resistant C. diff, and over 90% of these bacteria are transferred to floors. Add in cancer-causing toxins from asphalt road residue and endocrine-disrupting lawn chemicals, and the recommendation becomes even clearer – no outdoor shoes inside.[/pullquote]Don’t feel bad if you’re clueless about your dust. Scientists are not that far ahead of you in terms of understanding the sources and health risks of indoor air and particles.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>That’s an issue, because people spend a lot of time indoors. Indeed, the average American stays within four walls for \u003ca href=\"https://www.nature.com/articles/7500165\">almost 90% of their day\u003c/a>. So knowing more about how your indoor environment affects your health is vital.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>To better quantify environmental influences on health, researchers have begun using an\u003ca href=\"https://academic.oup.com/ije/article/41/1/24/650703\">“exposome” approach\u003c/a>, which considers every last environmental exposure an individual experiences over a lifetime. Your own exposome includes everything from secondhand smoke when you were a baby to lead exposure in your childhood to particulate matter if you grew up near a major roadway or industrial facility.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Dust is a big component of the exposome. What particles are you inhaling and ingesting as you go about your day?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=MEp4948AAAAJ&hl=en&oi=ao\">I’m a geochemist\u003c/a>, and my lab studies environmental health at the household level. Along with environmental scientist \u003ca href=\"https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=d_ZBfxYAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=ao\">Mark Taylor\u003c/a> at Macquarie University and other international partners, I’m conducting a research project on the indoor exposome.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Instead of dumping their vacuum canister into the trash, citizen-scientists put it into a sealable bag and send it off to our lab for analysis. This project, called \u003ca href=\"https://www.360dustanalysis.com/\">360 Dust Analysis\u003c/a>, is one of a number of recent efforts that are starting to crack the code on indoor dust.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_1943494\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 754px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1943494\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/science/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2019/06/file-20190613-32317-3ujy96.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"754\" height=\"566\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2019/06/file-20190613-32317-3ujy96.jpg 754w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2019/06/file-20190613-32317-3ujy96-160x120.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 754px) 100vw, 754px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">360 Dust workers unpack a donated sample. \u003ccite>(Gabriel Filippelli/ The Conversation)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>The Dust Is Coming From Inside\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>About one-third of household dust is created inside your home. The components differ depending on the construction and age of your home, the climate and the cleaning and smoking habits of occupants, so there’s no standard formula for dust.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>First, you and your pets generate some of that detritus. Sloughed off human skin cells are part of the debris. So are \u003ca href=\"https://www.jacionline.org/article/S0091-6749(10)00907-3/fulltext\">pet skin cells\u003c/a>, called dander, and dust mites that feed on skin – both of which are strong human allergens.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Overall, you can be sure that \u003ca href=\"http://content.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1966870,00.html\">your dust also includes some\u003c/a> decomposed insects, food debris (especially in the kitchen), fibers from carpet, bedding and clothes, and particulate matter from smoking and cooking. We hope our 360 Dust Analysis program will help solve more of the riddle of just what else goes into dust.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So far, so gross. And there are humanmade chemicals in the mix as well. For decades, manufacturers have chemically treated clothing and furniture with flame retardants and surface protectants. In fact, for some time, the \u003ca href=\"https://www.cpsc.gov/Business--Manufacturing/Business-Education/Business-Guidance/Childrens-Sleepwear-Regulations\">flame retardants were required by law\u003c/a> in furniture and children’s sleepwear.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But then researchers started identifying them in human blood and tissue, and even newborns showed \u003ca href=\"https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.5b01793\">evidence of exposure in utero\u003c/a>. How did these molecules end up in people’s bodies? Mostly via inhalation or ingestion of indoor dust.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Health Concerns About What We Put in Our Homes\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Here’s one place new science and new techniques are starting to raise serious health red flags. A flurry of research is currently underway to \u003ca href=\"https://www.nature.com/articles/s41370-018-0113-2\">determine the potential toxicity\u003c/a> of these chemicals in the human system. Scientists are also developing new techniques \u003ca href=\"https://www.nature.com/articles/jes20179\">using wearables\u003c/a>, such as \u003ca href=\"https://greensciencepolicy.org/monitoring-chemicals-in-our-environment-with-wristbands/\">silicone wrist bands\u003c/a>, to determine the relationship between these dust sources and how much of them winds up in a person’s body.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A pet-free and fiber-free indoor environment would be one way to reduce the amount and potential toxicity of indoor dust. But there’s an additional concern that’s emerged from recent research: the rise of antimicrobial resistance.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Research has linked several indoor disinfection products to antimicrobial resistance. At least one study found that elevated levels of triclosan, a common antimicrobial agent in hand soaps, were correlated with high levels of \u003ca href=\"https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.6b00262\">antibiotic-resistant genes in dust\u003c/a>, presumably from bacteria that live in your home and dust. This relationship is due to repeated partial, but not complete, destruction of bacteria and other microbes that go on to grow and proliferate, carrying resistant genes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_1943500\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 507px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1943500 size-full\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/science/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2019/06/gettyimages-523835605-170667a.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"507\" height=\"338\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2019/06/gettyimages-523835605-170667a.jpg 507w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2019/06/gettyimages-523835605-170667a-160x107.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 507px) 100vw, 507px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Young woman cleaning surfaces with green cleaning products. \u003ccite>(heshphoto/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>The Dust That Comes in From Outside\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>To get a full picture of dust sources and hazards, you need to consider the other two-thirds of the indoor dust load, which \u003ca href=\"https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/es9003735\">actually come from outside\u003c/a>. This dirt and dust is tracked in on shoes and on the feet and fur of pets. It blows in through open windows and doorways and vents. And it \u003ca href=\"https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/es9003735\">ranges in size and composition\u003c/a> from gritty silt to irritating pollen to the finest of soil particles.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>One of the most widespread health issues related to outdoor sources is lead. This potent neurotoxin has \u003ca href=\"https://www.elementascience.org/articles/10.12952/journal.elementa.000059/\">accumulated to sometimes extremely high levels\u003c/a> in soils and dust after a century of emissions from industrial sources, vehicles burning leaded gasoline and degraded lead-based paints. The hazard is particularly great in cities and near mining or other industrial point sources of lead.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Lead-contaminated soils, and dust generated from them, are tightly linked to \u003ca href=\"https://www.jstor.org/stable/24927721?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents\">lead poisoning of children\u003c/a>. Owing to their active neural development, \u003ca href=\"https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/10.1146/annurev.med.55.091902.103653\">lead can permanently disable exposed children\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In the drive to prevent lead poisoning, scientists have focused on what they call point sources: relatively easily identifiable things like peeling paint and lead water pipes. Soil and dust exposures are less well known.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Researchers have recently found correlations between \u003ca href=\"https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/es303854c\">lead in air and blood lead levels in children\u003c/a>. Now several lab groups are taking a careful look not just at exposures in outdoor settings but also at how \u003ca href=\"https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/es9003735\">lead may seep into homes\u003c/a> and become part of the indoor exposome.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Limit What You Can\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Much as \u003ca href=\"https://science.sciencemag.org/content/187/4176/535\">Freon in refrigerants and other products\u003c/a> caused the \u003ca href=\"https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007%2F978-1-4939-6710-0_2\">degradation of Earth’s protective stratospheric ozone layer\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0890623807002377?via%3Dihub\">bisphenol A, a plasticizer used in bottles\u003c/a> and other consumer products ended up in people’s bodies, there’s concern among scientists that “better living through chemistry” might result in a string of \u003ca href=\"https://www.ehn.org/chemical-exposures-are-small-doses-harm-2518446452.html\">unintended human health consequences\u003c/a> in the realm of dust.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Taking off outdoor clothing like jackets and adopting a shoeless household policy is one way to reduce indoor exposure to outdoor pollutants. \u003ca href=\"https://www.ciriscience.org/a_96-Study-Reveals-High-Bacteria-Levels-on-Footwear\">Shoe bottoms are gross\u003c/a>: 96% of shoes have traces of feces bacteria on their soles, including the antimicrobial resistant \u003cem>C. diff\u003c/em>, and over 90% of these bacteria are transferred to floors. Add in cancer-causing \u003ca href=\"https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10408444.2018.1528208?journalCode=itxc20\">toxins from asphalt road residue\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23273747.2016.1148803\">endocrine-disrupting lawn chemicals\u003c/a>, and the recommendation becomes even clearer – no outdoor shoes inside.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n",
"stats": {
"hasVideo": false,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"hasAudio": false,
"hasPolis": false,
"wordCount": 1186,
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"paragraphCount": 28
},
"modified": 1704848590,
"excerpt": "What particles in your home's dust are you inhaling and ingesting as you go about your day? Well, it's not a pretty picture ...",
"headData": {
"twImgId": "",
"twTitle": "",
"ogTitle": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twDescription": "",
"description": "What particles in your home's dust are you inhaling and ingesting as you go about your day? Well, it's not a pretty picture ...",
"title": "Commentary: The Research Seems Pretty Clear -- Take Your Shoes Off at Home | KQED",
"ogDescription": "",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "Article",
"headline": "Commentary: The Research Seems Pretty Clear -- Take Your Shoes Off at Home",
"datePublished": "2019-06-18T12:16:36-07:00",
"dateModified": "2024-01-09T17:03:10-08:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png"
}
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "commentary-the-research-seems-pretty-clear-take-your-shoes-off-at-home",
"status": "publish",
"sourceUrl": "https://theconversation.com/us",
"nprByline": "Gabriel Filippelli",
"sticky": false,
"source": "The Conversation\u003cbr />The Conversation",
"path": "/science/1943477/commentary-the-research-seems-pretty-clear-take-your-shoes-off-at-home",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>You vacuum it, sweep it and wipe it off your furniture. But do you know what it actually is – and how it may affect your health?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "Shoe bottoms are gross: 96% of shoes have traces of feces bacteria on their soles, including the antimicrobial resistant C. diff, and over 90% of these bacteria are transferred to floors. Add in cancer-causing toxins from asphalt road residue and endocrine-disrupting lawn chemicals, and the recommendation becomes even clearer – no outdoor shoes inside.",
"name": "pullquote",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"size": "small",
"align": "right",
"label": ""
},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>Don’t feel bad if you’re clueless about your dust. Scientists are not that far ahead of you in terms of understanding the sources and health risks of indoor air and particles.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>That’s an issue, because people spend a lot of time indoors. Indeed, the average American stays within four walls for \u003ca href=\"https://www.nature.com/articles/7500165\">almost 90% of their day\u003c/a>. So knowing more about how your indoor environment affects your health is vital.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>To better quantify environmental influences on health, researchers have begun using an\u003ca href=\"https://academic.oup.com/ije/article/41/1/24/650703\">“exposome” approach\u003c/a>, which considers every last environmental exposure an individual experiences over a lifetime. Your own exposome includes everything from secondhand smoke when you were a baby to lead exposure in your childhood to particulate matter if you grew up near a major roadway or industrial facility.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Dust is a big component of the exposome. What particles are you inhaling and ingesting as you go about your day?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=MEp4948AAAAJ&hl=en&oi=ao\">I’m a geochemist\u003c/a>, and my lab studies environmental health at the household level. Along with environmental scientist \u003ca href=\"https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=d_ZBfxYAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=ao\">Mark Taylor\u003c/a> at Macquarie University and other international partners, I’m conducting a research project on the indoor exposome.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Instead of dumping their vacuum canister into the trash, citizen-scientists put it into a sealable bag and send it off to our lab for analysis. This project, called \u003ca href=\"https://www.360dustanalysis.com/\">360 Dust Analysis\u003c/a>, is one of a number of recent efforts that are starting to crack the code on indoor dust.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_1943494\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 754px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1943494\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/science/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2019/06/file-20190613-32317-3ujy96.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"754\" height=\"566\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2019/06/file-20190613-32317-3ujy96.jpg 754w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2019/06/file-20190613-32317-3ujy96-160x120.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 754px) 100vw, 754px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">360 Dust workers unpack a donated sample. \u003ccite>(Gabriel Filippelli/ The Conversation)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>The Dust Is Coming From Inside\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>About one-third of household dust is created inside your home. The components differ depending on the construction and age of your home, the climate and the cleaning and smoking habits of occupants, so there’s no standard formula for dust.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>First, you and your pets generate some of that detritus. Sloughed off human skin cells are part of the debris. So are \u003ca href=\"https://www.jacionline.org/article/S0091-6749(10)00907-3/fulltext\">pet skin cells\u003c/a>, called dander, and dust mites that feed on skin – both of which are strong human allergens.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Overall, you can be sure that \u003ca href=\"http://content.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1966870,00.html\">your dust also includes some\u003c/a> decomposed insects, food debris (especially in the kitchen), fibers from carpet, bedding and clothes, and particulate matter from smoking and cooking. We hope our 360 Dust Analysis program will help solve more of the riddle of just what else goes into dust.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So far, so gross. And there are humanmade chemicals in the mix as well. For decades, manufacturers have chemically treated clothing and furniture with flame retardants and surface protectants. In fact, for some time, the \u003ca href=\"https://www.cpsc.gov/Business--Manufacturing/Business-Education/Business-Guidance/Childrens-Sleepwear-Regulations\">flame retardants were required by law\u003c/a> in furniture and children’s sleepwear.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But then researchers started identifying them in human blood and tissue, and even newborns showed \u003ca href=\"https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.5b01793\">evidence of exposure in utero\u003c/a>. How did these molecules end up in people’s bodies? Mostly via inhalation or ingestion of indoor dust.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Health Concerns About What We Put in Our Homes\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Here’s one place new science and new techniques are starting to raise serious health red flags. A flurry of research is currently underway to \u003ca href=\"https://www.nature.com/articles/s41370-018-0113-2\">determine the potential toxicity\u003c/a> of these chemicals in the human system. Scientists are also developing new techniques \u003ca href=\"https://www.nature.com/articles/jes20179\">using wearables\u003c/a>, such as \u003ca href=\"https://greensciencepolicy.org/monitoring-chemicals-in-our-environment-with-wristbands/\">silicone wrist bands\u003c/a>, to determine the relationship between these dust sources and how much of them winds up in a person’s body.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A pet-free and fiber-free indoor environment would be one way to reduce the amount and potential toxicity of indoor dust. But there’s an additional concern that’s emerged from recent research: the rise of antimicrobial resistance.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Research has linked several indoor disinfection products to antimicrobial resistance. At least one study found that elevated levels of triclosan, a common antimicrobial agent in hand soaps, were correlated with high levels of \u003ca href=\"https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.6b00262\">antibiotic-resistant genes in dust\u003c/a>, presumably from bacteria that live in your home and dust. This relationship is due to repeated partial, but not complete, destruction of bacteria and other microbes that go on to grow and proliferate, carrying resistant genes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_1943500\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 507px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1943500 size-full\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/science/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2019/06/gettyimages-523835605-170667a.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"507\" height=\"338\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2019/06/gettyimages-523835605-170667a.jpg 507w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2019/06/gettyimages-523835605-170667a-160x107.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 507px) 100vw, 507px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Young woman cleaning surfaces with green cleaning products. \u003ccite>(heshphoto/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>The Dust That Comes in From Outside\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>To get a full picture of dust sources and hazards, you need to consider the other two-thirds of the indoor dust load, which \u003ca href=\"https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/es9003735\">actually come from outside\u003c/a>. This dirt and dust is tracked in on shoes and on the feet and fur of pets. It blows in through open windows and doorways and vents. And it \u003ca href=\"https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/es9003735\">ranges in size and composition\u003c/a> from gritty silt to irritating pollen to the finest of soil particles.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>One of the most widespread health issues related to outdoor sources is lead. This potent neurotoxin has \u003ca href=\"https://www.elementascience.org/articles/10.12952/journal.elementa.000059/\">accumulated to sometimes extremely high levels\u003c/a> in soils and dust after a century of emissions from industrial sources, vehicles burning leaded gasoline and degraded lead-based paints. The hazard is particularly great in cities and near mining or other industrial point sources of lead.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Lead-contaminated soils, and dust generated from them, are tightly linked to \u003ca href=\"https://www.jstor.org/stable/24927721?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents\">lead poisoning of children\u003c/a>. Owing to their active neural development, \u003ca href=\"https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/10.1146/annurev.med.55.091902.103653\">lead can permanently disable exposed children\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In the drive to prevent lead poisoning, scientists have focused on what they call point sources: relatively easily identifiable things like peeling paint and lead water pipes. Soil and dust exposures are less well known.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Researchers have recently found correlations between \u003ca href=\"https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/es303854c\">lead in air and blood lead levels in children\u003c/a>. Now several lab groups are taking a careful look not just at exposures in outdoor settings but also at how \u003ca href=\"https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/es9003735\">lead may seep into homes\u003c/a> and become part of the indoor exposome.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Limit What You Can\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Much as \u003ca href=\"https://science.sciencemag.org/content/187/4176/535\">Freon in refrigerants and other products\u003c/a> caused the \u003ca href=\"https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007%2F978-1-4939-6710-0_2\">degradation of Earth’s protective stratospheric ozone layer\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0890623807002377?via%3Dihub\">bisphenol A, a plasticizer used in bottles\u003c/a> and other consumer products ended up in people’s bodies, there’s concern among scientists that “better living through chemistry” might result in a string of \u003ca href=\"https://www.ehn.org/chemical-exposures-are-small-doses-harm-2518446452.html\">unintended human health consequences\u003c/a> in the realm of dust.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Taking off outdoor clothing like jackets and adopting a shoeless household policy is one way to reduce indoor exposure to outdoor pollutants. \u003ca href=\"https://www.ciriscience.org/a_96-Study-Reveals-High-Bacteria-Levels-on-Footwear\">Shoe bottoms are gross\u003c/a>: 96% of shoes have traces of feces bacteria on their soles, including the antimicrobial resistant \u003cem>C. diff\u003c/em>, and over 90% of these bacteria are transferred to floors. Add in cancer-causing \u003ca href=\"https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10408444.2018.1528208?journalCode=itxc20\">toxins from asphalt road residue\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23273747.2016.1148803\">endocrine-disrupting lawn chemicals\u003c/a>, and the recommendation becomes even clearer – no outdoor shoes inside.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "fullwidth"
},
"numeric": [
"fullwidth"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "floatright"
},
"numeric": [
"floatright"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
}
],
"link": "/science/1943477/commentary-the-research-seems-pretty-clear-take-your-shoes-off-at-home",
"authors": [
"byline_science_1943477"
],
"categories": [
"science_39",
"science_40"
],
"tags": [
"science_505",
"science_524",
"science_3838"
],
"featImg": "science_1943598",
"label": "source_science_1943477"
},
"science_1943152": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "science_1943152",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "science",
"id": "1943152",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1560193090000
]
},
"parent": 0,
"labelTerm": {},
"blocks": [],
"publishDate": 1560193090,
"format": "standard",
"title": "The Path to Zero-Emission Transportation Means \u003ci>Everything\u003c/i> Must Go Electric",
"headTitle": "The Path to Zero-Emission Transportation Means Everything Must Go Electric | KQED",
"content": "\u003cp class=\"dropcap\">Work used to be much simpler for the California Department of Transportation: Widen highways, fill potholes, build new freeways.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Alas, those quaint days are gone.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>To get an idea of what planners must prepare for, state officials recently hosted a demonstration of a drone air taxi that will require devising a “highway above the ground,” said Reza Navai, a Caltrans transportation planner. “If you think transportation on the ground is complex.…”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Such sci-fi-like transit is one of many high-tech changes coming as California implements its planned electrification of transportation to radically reduce greenhouse-gas \u003ca href=\"https://calmatters.org/articles/californias-climate-fight-gets-harder-soon-big-culprit-cars/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">emissions\u003c/a>. The path to zero, as in \u003ca href=\"https://calmatters.org/articles/will-california-ban-gas-powered-cars/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">zero-emission vehicles\u003c/a>, extends well beyond flying taxis and the 5 million electric cars the state hopes will be on its roads by 2030. Everything—\u003cem>everything\u003c/em>—will be replaced with an electric analog: from boats, planes and trains to delivery vans to farm tractors and even forklifts. The to-do list stretches as long as California’s seemingly endless blacktop, with freight as a major challenge.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The state’s transportation gurus envision technology that will ping driverless vehicles with an automated message when they stray from their lanes, “smart” roads that charge electric cars and trucks as they pass and an electrified Interstate 5, the West Coast’s main freight corridor. California has already widened its painted lane stripes to six inches from four so self-driving vehicles can better “see” the road. Ultimately, the highways themselves will be redesigned and constructed with different materials.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>California’s transportation agency, which updates its master plan every five years, is currently preparing a look at 2050. While officials cannot predict each new technological wrinkle, Reza said, “We must be able to consider all the possibilities.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>To achieve a\u003ca href=\"https://calmatters.org/articles/california-rising-vehicle-emissions-despite-growth-in-electric-cars/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> carbon-free transportation\u003c/a> future, California will need to cover a lot more ground in a short time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“If California’s trying to be a leader, we have to go as fast as possible,” said Lew Fulton, who studies sustainable transportation at UC Davis’ Institute of Transportation Studies. “Policies are critical to try to speed this up and try to push the envelope, and get all the manufacturers scared enough that they start producing what we need. Carrots and sticks. Carrots being pricing and incentives, sticks being regulatory.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The state has spent more than \u003ca href=\"http://www.caclimateinvestments.ca.gov/press-releases/2018/10/25/carb-approves-483-million-funding-plan-for-clean-transportation-investments\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">$1 billion\u003c/a> dollars in the last five years to encourage research, subsidize the exchange of internal combustion vehicles for zero-emission options, formulate cleaner fuels and expand vital charging infrastructure.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It is working with technology firms to clean up heavily polluting marine fuels belching from container ships at California ports. And state funds are helping Central Valley farmers, who are on a waiting list to crush their aging farm equipment and receive rebates to replace it with fuel-efficient models.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Such projects may get a boost from California’s Tesla-owner governor, Gavin Newsom, as budget negotiations wrap up this month. His proposed spending plan includes nearly $24 billion for all aspects of transportation, a 6% increase.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In addition, a group of legislators has \u003ca href=\"https://calmatters.org/wp-content/uploads/CALSTARTletter.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">expressed support\u003c/a> for a nonprofit organization’s proposal that 15% of annual revenue from cap-and-trade auctions go to programs to clean up emissions from trucks, buses and off-road vehicles.\u003c/p>\n\u003cdiv class=\"infogram-embed\">\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://infogram.com/transportationtrucking-facts-1hmr6g3dgvo34nl\">https://infogram.com/transportationtrucking-facts-1hmr6g3dgvo34nl\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\n\u003cp>Few transportation modes have clean-engine options as advanced as those for passenger cars. Buses are the exception. The Chinese company BYD, manufacturing electric buses in Lancaster, is the largest in North America and has produced more than 300 buses, including nearly half of the Antelope Valley Transit Authority’s pool.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The city of Los Angeles has \u003ca href=\"https://thesource.metro.net/2017/07/27/as-metro-pursues-electric-bus-fleet-by-2030-three-bus-contracts-go-to-board-on-thursday/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">pledged\u003c/a> to convert its bus fleet—second-largest in the country—to electric by 2030, though mechanical and performance \u003ca href=\"https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-electric-buses-20180520-story.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">problems\u003c/a> plagued the rollout of its BYD vehicles. Many other transit districts have similar goals and include school buses. The financial burden of those commitments is softened by state \u003ca href=\"https://www.californiahvip.org/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">vouchers\u003c/a> for up to $200,000 toward the purchase of each zero-emission bus.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The availability of some electric all-terrain recreational vehicles, farm machinery and specialty equipment such as cherry-pickers and front-end loaders has produced niche markets. Generally, though, the readily available transportation technology stops where the road ends: Electrification of trains, planes and ships is less advanced.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A state \u003ca href=\"https://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/tech/techreport/ogv_tech_report.pdf?_ga=2.214068434.430973912.1559599041-177476988.1546391733\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">analysis\u003c/a> found that ocean-going vessels still depend on heavily polluting marine fuels and, aside from nuclear powered-engines for military use, zero- and near-zero technologies are not currently available. Among smaller vessels, the famed Red and White \u003ca href=\"https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/california/We-Can-Go-Greener-San-Francisco-Tour-Boat-Company-Launches-Hybrid-Electric-Ferry-510888701.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">fleet\u003c/a> that tours San Francisco Bay added a new hybrid-electric ferry this week. And electric-battery passenger \u003ca href=\"https://www.axios.com/passenger-ferries-are-going-electric-cb70b29f-fb19-4a10-bf53-24df0d9985bd.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ferries\u003c/a> may soon operate in Washington state.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Ships docking in California’s ports frequently forgo using diesel generators to operate and instead plug into shore-side electric power. But even when stationary, big vessels have a massive appetite: A nine-cylinder ship engine—five-stories tall and weighing 1,500 tons—can produce enough power to run 30,000 homes for a year.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The state’s busy docks teem with those ships. About 40% of containerized goods that come into the United States enter through California, said the state’s Environmental Protection Secretary Jared Blumenfeld. Their sulfur-based fuel “has to be heated up before you can use it—very energy-intensive.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Soot belching from Pacific vessels has been detected as far inland as Oklahoma, he said. When Blumenfeld was regional director of the federal Environmental Protection Agency, it pushed through rules that require ships to switch to low-sulfur fuel 200 miles from the coast by next year.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But trucking is the major freight challenge for California. More than 97% of the state’s big rigs operate on diesel fuel, which is highly polluting and a significant contributor to detrimental health effects on those residing near transit corridors. Currently only a handful of electric or hybrid heavy-duty truck options exists, mostly prototypes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_1943158\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-1943158\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/science/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2019/06/RS13356_459889074-qut-800x533.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2019/06/RS13356_459889074-qut-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2019/06/RS13356_459889074-qut-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2019/06/RS13356_459889074-qut-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2019/06/RS13356_459889074-qut-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2019/06/RS13356_459889074-qut-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2019/06/RS13356_459889074-qut.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Cars sit in miles-long traffic jam on southbound highway 101 as they approach a flooded section of the freeway on December 3, 2014 in Mill Valley, California. \u003ccite>(Justin Sullivan/Getty)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“I see 100% electrification as being far off; there just aren’t any of those trucks on the road,” said Brandon Taylor, director of transportation for GSC Logistics, a freight company operating at the Port of Oakland.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>GSC is testing a prototype electric semi. “We know electric is going to be the future, but the technology is not there yet. It’s going to be a huge challenge, but not an insurmountable one.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Freight represents a transportation problem somewhat of our own making: We desire—and order online—more and more stuff, for delivery \u003cem>right now.\u003c/em> With each mouse click, delivery vans and trucks flood the state’s highways and neighborhood streets, dispatched to cover what supply-chain planners call “the last mile” of residential delivery.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>About 20% of trips in the United States \u003ca href=\"https://nhts.ornl.gov/vehicle-trips\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">are\u003c/a>, in fact, less than a mile. But it’s too late to shut off the merchandise-delivery tap, and freight accounts for about a \u003ca href=\"http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/tpp/offices/ogm/cs_freight_action_plan/Documents/CSFAP_Main%20Document_FINAL_07272016.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">third \u003c/a>of the California Gross Domestic Product\u003cstrong>.\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The influx of these trucks and vans runs counter to one of California’s bottom-line goals: to reduce not just the number of vehicles on roads but also, and more critically, the miles they travel. The mid-sized delivery vans taking the package handoff from heavy-duty trucks are turning over odometers at a dizzying rate; in Southern California, an \u003ca href=\"http://media.metro.net/projects_studies/sr_710/images/sr_710_faqs_goods_movement.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">estimated \u003c/a>85% of truck traffic is dedicated to local deliveries and short hops.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The future is likely to include on-demand trucking. Predictably, there’s an app for that, Uber Freight, which launched in California in 2017. It’s one of a handful of load-matching apps that connect shippers with smaller, more nimble trucks plying local routes. The system is intended to increase efficiency and decrease total miles driven. Additionally, electric trucks can return to a home base at night to be recharged.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The same applies to another innovation expected to ease this delivery-vehicle Sigalert: Widespread adoption of 3D printers that will construct products closer to where consumers live, shrinking delivery areas.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Big rigs in California not subject to the smog inspections that have \u003ca href=\"https://www.bar.ca.gov/Consumer/Smog_Check_Program_History.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">applied to cars\u003c/a> since 1982, partly due to early pushback from trucking companies and insurmountable complexities involved in regulating out-of-state vehicles. But that could change: A \u003ca href=\"https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200SB210\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">bill \u003c/a>advancing in the Legislature would create smog checks for big diesel trucks.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Even more efficient parking, with real-time information about empty spots, would allow drivers to use 25% less fuel to find them, according to a recent Caltrans plan.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The state will need to retrofit highways to allow charging of electric freight trucks, which some experts say may still be a decade away. Planners are examining exactly what an electric-truck stop would require: Big trucks need big batteries and very large charging infrastructure.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Utility companies in California, Oregon and Washington are underwriting a study that will examine how to provide electric charging and hydrogen fueling along the entirety of Interstate 5, with bays for next-generation semi-trucks running on batteries or hydrogen gas.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The state air board contributed $41 million to a test program at the port of Los Angeles, which two years ago set aside a mile of highway with an overhead charging system to refuel prototype electric trucks, much like electric cable cars operate. Ten big rigs that run on hydrogen-electric hybrid engines are coming next year, added to 16,000 trucks that work the port every year.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Currently there is only a handful of electric or hybrid heavy-duty trucks, and those are prototypes. State regulators recognize that innovation doesn’t always align with government goals and deadlines and is planning for clean technology where feasible. Like everything else, it’s not going to be cheap.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The cost of an electric semi-tractor trailer, $300,000 and more, is more than twice that of a traditional diesel truck. That can be a burden on mom and pop companies, 90% of whose fleets contain six or fewer trucks and who operate on relatively tight margins.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s going to be tough,” even with state subsidies, said Chris Shimoda, lobbyist for the California Trucking Association.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Shimoda said his members don’t care what type of fuel the state requires. “Everybody knows this is the direction California is going,” he said. “It’s easy to say we have a goal of eliminating fossil fuels, but as I think everyone would admit, the details of how to get there are important.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>At the Port of Oakland, with freight-train horns blaring in the background, Taylor said by phone that it’s eerie to see—but not hear—his company’s electric big-rig pull into one of the loading bays. “It kind of sneaks up on you,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The company has been testing the truck for more than a year, underwritten partly by a state grant, and expects delivery of two more in the fall. Taylor uses the truck to move containers around the port but has yet to put it on the road, echoing the “range anxiety” associated with electric cars. His truck’s battery runs out and needs recharging after 120 miles.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The steep cost of replacing entire trucking fleets with electric vehicles, even with subsidies, may be a burden on small companies, he acknowledged. But improving air quality is a worthy goal.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I’ve seen myself the difference as the diesel engines have gotten cleaner and cleaner,” Taylor said. “It used to be that with all the trucks working the port, I’d get a headache after an hour or two.” Now he doesn’t.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I guess it can only get better with electrics,” he said. “I’m not sure how it’s all going to work, but it’s happening.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>CALmatters.org is a nonprofit, nonpartisan media venture explaining California policies and politics.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\n",
"stats": {
"hasVideo": false,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"hasAudio": false,
"hasPolis": false,
"wordCount": 2112,
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"paragraphCount": 43
},
"modified": 1704848614,
"excerpt": "California's transportation planners are looking to replace cars, boats, trains planes, delivery vans, farm tractors and even forklifts with an electric analog. Trucks could present a special problem ...",
"headData": {
"twImgId": "",
"twTitle": "",
"ogTitle": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twDescription": "",
"description": "California's transportation planners are looking to replace cars, boats, trains planes, delivery vans, farm tractors and even forklifts with an electric analog. Trucks could present a special problem ...",
"title": "The Path to Zero-Emission Transportation Means \u003ci>Everything\u003c/i> Must Go Electric | KQED",
"ogDescription": "",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "Article",
"headline": "The Path to Zero-Emission Transportation Means \u003ci>Everything\u003c/i> Must Go Electric",
"datePublished": "2019-06-10T11:58:10-07:00",
"dateModified": "2024-01-09T17:03:34-08:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png"
}
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "the-path-to-zero-emission-transportation-everything-everything-must-go-electric",
"status": "publish",
"nprByline": "Julie Cart \u003cbr/> CALmatters \u003cbr>",
"sticky": false,
"source": "CALMATTERS",
"path": "/science/1943152/the-path-to-zero-emission-transportation-everything-everything-must-go-electric",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp class=\"dropcap\">Work used to be much simpler for the California Department of Transportation: Widen highways, fill potholes, build new freeways.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Alas, those quaint days are gone.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>To get an idea of what planners must prepare for, state officials recently hosted a demonstration of a drone air taxi that will require devising a “highway above the ground,” said Reza Navai, a Caltrans transportation planner. “If you think transportation on the ground is complex.…”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Such sci-fi-like transit is one of many high-tech changes coming as California implements its planned electrification of transportation to radically reduce greenhouse-gas \u003ca href=\"https://calmatters.org/articles/californias-climate-fight-gets-harder-soon-big-culprit-cars/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">emissions\u003c/a>. The path to zero, as in \u003ca href=\"https://calmatters.org/articles/will-california-ban-gas-powered-cars/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">zero-emission vehicles\u003c/a>, extends well beyond flying taxis and the 5 million electric cars the state hopes will be on its roads by 2030. Everything—\u003cem>everything\u003c/em>—will be replaced with an electric analog: from boats, planes and trains to delivery vans to farm tractors and even forklifts. The to-do list stretches as long as California’s seemingly endless blacktop, with freight as a major challenge.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The state’s transportation gurus envision technology that will ping driverless vehicles with an automated message when they stray from their lanes, “smart” roads that charge electric cars and trucks as they pass and an electrified Interstate 5, the West Coast’s main freight corridor. California has already widened its painted lane stripes to six inches from four so self-driving vehicles can better “see” the road. Ultimately, the highways themselves will be redesigned and constructed with different materials.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "fullwidth"
},
"numeric": [
"fullwidth"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>California’s transportation agency, which updates its master plan every five years, is currently preparing a look at 2050. While officials cannot predict each new technological wrinkle, Reza said, “We must be able to consider all the possibilities.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>To achieve a\u003ca href=\"https://calmatters.org/articles/california-rising-vehicle-emissions-despite-growth-in-electric-cars/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> carbon-free transportation\u003c/a> future, California will need to cover a lot more ground in a short time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“If California’s trying to be a leader, we have to go as fast as possible,” said Lew Fulton, who studies sustainable transportation at UC Davis’ Institute of Transportation Studies. “Policies are critical to try to speed this up and try to push the envelope, and get all the manufacturers scared enough that they start producing what we need. Carrots and sticks. Carrots being pricing and incentives, sticks being regulatory.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The state has spent more than \u003ca href=\"http://www.caclimateinvestments.ca.gov/press-releases/2018/10/25/carb-approves-483-million-funding-plan-for-clean-transportation-investments\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">$1 billion\u003c/a> dollars in the last five years to encourage research, subsidize the exchange of internal combustion vehicles for zero-emission options, formulate cleaner fuels and expand vital charging infrastructure.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It is working with technology firms to clean up heavily polluting marine fuels belching from container ships at California ports. And state funds are helping Central Valley farmers, who are on a waiting list to crush their aging farm equipment and receive rebates to replace it with fuel-efficient models.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Such projects may get a boost from California’s Tesla-owner governor, Gavin Newsom, as budget negotiations wrap up this month. His proposed spending plan includes nearly $24 billion for all aspects of transportation, a 6% increase.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In addition, a group of legislators has \u003ca href=\"https://calmatters.org/wp-content/uploads/CALSTARTletter.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">expressed support\u003c/a> for a nonprofit organization’s proposal that 15% of annual revenue from cap-and-trade auctions go to programs to clean up emissions from trucks, buses and off-road vehicles.\u003c/p>\n\u003cdiv class=\"infogram-embed\">\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://infogram.com/transportationtrucking-facts-1hmr6g3dgvo34nl\">https://infogram.com/transportationtrucking-facts-1hmr6g3dgvo34nl\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\n\u003cp>Few transportation modes have clean-engine options as advanced as those for passenger cars. Buses are the exception. The Chinese company BYD, manufacturing electric buses in Lancaster, is the largest in North America and has produced more than 300 buses, including nearly half of the Antelope Valley Transit Authority’s pool.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The city of Los Angeles has \u003ca href=\"https://thesource.metro.net/2017/07/27/as-metro-pursues-electric-bus-fleet-by-2030-three-bus-contracts-go-to-board-on-thursday/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">pledged\u003c/a> to convert its bus fleet—second-largest in the country—to electric by 2030, though mechanical and performance \u003ca href=\"https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-electric-buses-20180520-story.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">problems\u003c/a> plagued the rollout of its BYD vehicles. Many other transit districts have similar goals and include school buses. The financial burden of those commitments is softened by state \u003ca href=\"https://www.californiahvip.org/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">vouchers\u003c/a> for up to $200,000 toward the purchase of each zero-emission bus.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The availability of some electric all-terrain recreational vehicles, farm machinery and specialty equipment such as cherry-pickers and front-end loaders has produced niche markets. Generally, though, the readily available transportation technology stops where the road ends: Electrification of trains, planes and ships is less advanced.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A state \u003ca href=\"https://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/tech/techreport/ogv_tech_report.pdf?_ga=2.214068434.430973912.1559599041-177476988.1546391733\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">analysis\u003c/a> found that ocean-going vessels still depend on heavily polluting marine fuels and, aside from nuclear powered-engines for military use, zero- and near-zero technologies are not currently available. Among smaller vessels, the famed Red and White \u003ca href=\"https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/california/We-Can-Go-Greener-San-Francisco-Tour-Boat-Company-Launches-Hybrid-Electric-Ferry-510888701.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">fleet\u003c/a> that tours San Francisco Bay added a new hybrid-electric ferry this week. And electric-battery passenger \u003ca href=\"https://www.axios.com/passenger-ferries-are-going-electric-cb70b29f-fb19-4a10-bf53-24df0d9985bd.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ferries\u003c/a> may soon operate in Washington state.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Ships docking in California’s ports frequently forgo using diesel generators to operate and instead plug into shore-side electric power. But even when stationary, big vessels have a massive appetite: A nine-cylinder ship engine—five-stories tall and weighing 1,500 tons—can produce enough power to run 30,000 homes for a year.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The state’s busy docks teem with those ships. About 40% of containerized goods that come into the United States enter through California, said the state’s Environmental Protection Secretary Jared Blumenfeld. Their sulfur-based fuel “has to be heated up before you can use it—very energy-intensive.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Soot belching from Pacific vessels has been detected as far inland as Oklahoma, he said. When Blumenfeld was regional director of the federal Environmental Protection Agency, it pushed through rules that require ships to switch to low-sulfur fuel 200 miles from the coast by next year.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But trucking is the major freight challenge for California. More than 97% of the state’s big rigs operate on diesel fuel, which is highly polluting and a significant contributor to detrimental health effects on those residing near transit corridors. Currently only a handful of electric or hybrid heavy-duty truck options exists, mostly prototypes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_1943158\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-1943158\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/science/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2019/06/RS13356_459889074-qut-800x533.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2019/06/RS13356_459889074-qut-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2019/06/RS13356_459889074-qut-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2019/06/RS13356_459889074-qut-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2019/06/RS13356_459889074-qut-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2019/06/RS13356_459889074-qut-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2019/06/RS13356_459889074-qut.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Cars sit in miles-long traffic jam on southbound highway 101 as they approach a flooded section of the freeway on December 3, 2014 in Mill Valley, California. \u003ccite>(Justin Sullivan/Getty)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“I see 100% electrification as being far off; there just aren’t any of those trucks on the road,” said Brandon Taylor, director of transportation for GSC Logistics, a freight company operating at the Port of Oakland.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>GSC is testing a prototype electric semi. “We know electric is going to be the future, but the technology is not there yet. It’s going to be a huge challenge, but not an insurmountable one.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Freight represents a transportation problem somewhat of our own making: We desire—and order online—more and more stuff, for delivery \u003cem>right now.\u003c/em> With each mouse click, delivery vans and trucks flood the state’s highways and neighborhood streets, dispatched to cover what supply-chain planners call “the last mile” of residential delivery.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>About 20% of trips in the United States \u003ca href=\"https://nhts.ornl.gov/vehicle-trips\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">are\u003c/a>, in fact, less than a mile. But it’s too late to shut off the merchandise-delivery tap, and freight accounts for about a \u003ca href=\"http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/tpp/offices/ogm/cs_freight_action_plan/Documents/CSFAP_Main%20Document_FINAL_07272016.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">third \u003c/a>of the California Gross Domestic Product\u003cstrong>.\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The influx of these trucks and vans runs counter to one of California’s bottom-line goals: to reduce not just the number of vehicles on roads but also, and more critically, the miles they travel. The mid-sized delivery vans taking the package handoff from heavy-duty trucks are turning over odometers at a dizzying rate; in Southern California, an \u003ca href=\"http://media.metro.net/projects_studies/sr_710/images/sr_710_faqs_goods_movement.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">estimated \u003c/a>85% of truck traffic is dedicated to local deliveries and short hops.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The future is likely to include on-demand trucking. Predictably, there’s an app for that, Uber Freight, which launched in California in 2017. It’s one of a handful of load-matching apps that connect shippers with smaller, more nimble trucks plying local routes. The system is intended to increase efficiency and decrease total miles driven. Additionally, electric trucks can return to a home base at night to be recharged.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The same applies to another innovation expected to ease this delivery-vehicle Sigalert: Widespread adoption of 3D printers that will construct products closer to where consumers live, shrinking delivery areas.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Big rigs in California not subject to the smog inspections that have \u003ca href=\"https://www.bar.ca.gov/Consumer/Smog_Check_Program_History.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">applied to cars\u003c/a> since 1982, partly due to early pushback from trucking companies and insurmountable complexities involved in regulating out-of-state vehicles. But that could change: A \u003ca href=\"https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200SB210\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">bill \u003c/a>advancing in the Legislature would create smog checks for big diesel trucks.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Even more efficient parking, with real-time information about empty spots, would allow drivers to use 25% less fuel to find them, according to a recent Caltrans plan.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The state will need to retrofit highways to allow charging of electric freight trucks, which some experts say may still be a decade away. Planners are examining exactly what an electric-truck stop would require: Big trucks need big batteries and very large charging infrastructure.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Utility companies in California, Oregon and Washington are underwriting a study that will examine how to provide electric charging and hydrogen fueling along the entirety of Interstate 5, with bays for next-generation semi-trucks running on batteries or hydrogen gas.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The state air board contributed $41 million to a test program at the port of Los Angeles, which two years ago set aside a mile of highway with an overhead charging system to refuel prototype electric trucks, much like electric cable cars operate. Ten big rigs that run on hydrogen-electric hybrid engines are coming next year, added to 16,000 trucks that work the port every year.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Currently there is only a handful of electric or hybrid heavy-duty trucks, and those are prototypes. State regulators recognize that innovation doesn’t always align with government goals and deadlines and is planning for clean technology where feasible. Like everything else, it’s not going to be cheap.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The cost of an electric semi-tractor trailer, $300,000 and more, is more than twice that of a traditional diesel truck. That can be a burden on mom and pop companies, 90% of whose fleets contain six or fewer trucks and who operate on relatively tight margins.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s going to be tough,” even with state subsidies, said Chris Shimoda, lobbyist for the California Trucking Association.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Shimoda said his members don’t care what type of fuel the state requires. “Everybody knows this is the direction California is going,” he said. “It’s easy to say we have a goal of eliminating fossil fuels, but as I think everyone would admit, the details of how to get there are important.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>At the Port of Oakland, with freight-train horns blaring in the background, Taylor said by phone that it’s eerie to see—but not hear—his company’s electric big-rig pull into one of the loading bays. “It kind of sneaks up on you,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The company has been testing the truck for more than a year, underwritten partly by a state grant, and expects delivery of two more in the fall. Taylor uses the truck to move containers around the port but has yet to put it on the road, echoing the “range anxiety” associated with electric cars. His truck’s battery runs out and needs recharging after 120 miles.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The steep cost of replacing entire trucking fleets with electric vehicles, even with subsidies, may be a burden on small companies, he acknowledged. But improving air quality is a worthy goal.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I’ve seen myself the difference as the diesel engines have gotten cleaner and cleaner,” Taylor said. “It used to be that with all the trucks working the port, I’d get a headache after an hour or two.” Now he doesn’t.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I guess it can only get better with electrics,” he said. “I’m not sure how it’s all going to work, but it’s happening.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "floatright"
},
"numeric": [
"floatright"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>CALmatters.org is a nonprofit, nonpartisan media venture explaining California policies and politics.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
}
],
"link": "/science/1943152/the-path-to-zero-emission-transportation-everything-everything-must-go-electric",
"authors": [
"byline_science_1943152"
],
"categories": [
"science_31",
"science_33",
"science_35",
"science_40"
],
"tags": [
"science_524",
"science_2889",
"science_1133",
"science_3838"
],
"featImg": "science_1943159",
"label": "source_science_1943152"
},
"science_1940677": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "science_1940677",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "science",
"id": "1940677",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1556129508000
]
},
"parent": 0,
"labelTerm": {
"site": "science"
},
"blocks": [],
"publishDate": 1556129508,
"format": "standard",
"title": "Bay Area Air Quality Takes a Hit in Latest Report",
"headTitle": "Bay Area Air Quality Takes a Hit in Latest Report | KQED",
"content": "\u003cp>Hotter temperatures, devastating wildfires and more traffic were some of the factors that worsened Bay Area air quality from 2015 to 2017, according to the American Lung Association’s annual State of the Air \u003ca href=\"https://www.lung.org/our-initiatives/healthy-air/sota/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">report\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>For the first time in the report’s 20-year history, no Bay Area counties received an “A” grade for daily particle pollution, a measure of how much harmful exhaust, dust and ash are in the air. The Bay Area as a whole, in fact, was ranked in the 10 worst U.S. metropolitan areas for ozone, short-term particle and annual particle pollution.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa and Santa Clara counties all earned Fs in the day-to-day particulate pollution category. Over the three-year period, those counties each experienced more than nine unhealthy air days. San Francisco and San Mateo counties weren’t far off, earning a D, defined as one week or more of unhealthy air conditions.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Sonoma County, frequently a straight-A area, fell to a C for particle pollution in the current report. Increasingly destructive wildfires such as the Tubbs, Valley and Nuns fires had a major impact on the county’s air quality, as well as on the air all over the Bay Area, the ALA said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Experts who weighed in on the report suspect another reason for the worsening air might be more “super-commuters” — drivers with long commutes, who spend more time on the road to get to and from work.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Part of the problem in the Bay Area is affordable housing,” said Dr. John Balmes, a professor of environmental medicine at UCSF. “The people who have to drive the furthest and therefore create the most transportation-related pollution are the workers who can’t afford to live in San Francisco and, increasingly, Oakland.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The good news is that over the last two decades, pollution, especially ozone, has \u003ca href=\"https://www.lung.org/local-content/california/documents/state-of-the-air/2016/sota-2016_ca_greater-bay-area-trends.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">decreased considerably. \u003c/a>Ozone is the main component in “smog.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But as the climate changes, Bay Area residents can probably expect the grade deflation on these annual report cards to continue. Next year, for instance, the assessment will take into account the pollution generated by the Carr Fire, which had a \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/tag/air-quality\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">disastrous effect\u003c/a> on Bay Area air quality.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Jon Brooks contributed to this report.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\n",
"stats": {
"hasVideo": false,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"hasAudio": false,
"hasPolis": false,
"wordCount": 396,
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"paragraphCount": 11
},
"modified": 1704848724,
"excerpt": "The American Lung Association's annual State of the Air report found the Bay Area ranked in the 10-worst metropolitan areas for ozone and particle pollution. One reason is climate change, which is driving temperatures higher and making wildfires more intense.",
"headData": {
"twImgId": "",
"twTitle": "",
"ogTitle": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twDescription": "",
"description": "The American Lung Association's annual State of the Air report found the Bay Area ranked in the 10-worst metropolitan areas for ozone and particle pollution. One reason is climate change, which is driving temperatures higher and making wildfires more intense.",
"title": "Bay Area Air Quality Takes a Hit in Latest Report | KQED",
"ogDescription": "",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "Article",
"headline": "Bay Area Air Quality Takes a Hit in Latest Report",
"datePublished": "2019-04-24T11:11:48-07:00",
"dateModified": "2024-01-09T17:05:24-08:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png"
}
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "heres-how-the-bay-area-did-in-latest-annual-air-report",
"status": "publish",
"sticky": false,
"path": "/science/1940677/heres-how-the-bay-area-did-in-latest-annual-air-report",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>Hotter temperatures, devastating wildfires and more traffic were some of the factors that worsened Bay Area air quality from 2015 to 2017, according to the American Lung Association’s annual State of the Air \u003ca href=\"https://www.lung.org/our-initiatives/healthy-air/sota/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">report\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>For the first time in the report’s 20-year history, no Bay Area counties received an “A” grade for daily particle pollution, a measure of how much harmful exhaust, dust and ash are in the air. The Bay Area as a whole, in fact, was ranked in the 10 worst U.S. metropolitan areas for ozone, short-term particle and annual particle pollution.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa and Santa Clara counties all earned Fs in the day-to-day particulate pollution category. Over the three-year period, those counties each experienced more than nine unhealthy air days. San Francisco and San Mateo counties weren’t far off, earning a D, defined as one week or more of unhealthy air conditions.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Sonoma County, frequently a straight-A area, fell to a C for particle pollution in the current report. Increasingly destructive wildfires such as the Tubbs, Valley and Nuns fires had a major impact on the county’s air quality, as well as on the air all over the Bay Area, the ALA said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Experts who weighed in on the report suspect another reason for the worsening air might be more “super-commuters” — drivers with long commutes, who spend more time on the road to get to and from work.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "fullwidth"
},
"numeric": [
"fullwidth"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Part of the problem in the Bay Area is affordable housing,” said Dr. John Balmes, a professor of environmental medicine at UCSF. “The people who have to drive the furthest and therefore create the most transportation-related pollution are the workers who can’t afford to live in San Francisco and, increasingly, Oakland.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The good news is that over the last two decades, pollution, especially ozone, has \u003ca href=\"https://www.lung.org/local-content/california/documents/state-of-the-air/2016/sota-2016_ca_greater-bay-area-trends.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">decreased considerably. \u003c/a>Ozone is the main component in “smog.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But as the climate changes, Bay Area residents can probably expect the grade deflation on these annual report cards to continue. Next year, for instance, the assessment will take into account the pollution generated by the Carr Fire, which had a \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/tag/air-quality\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">disastrous effect\u003c/a> on Bay Area air quality.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Jon Brooks contributed to this report.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
}
],
"link": "/science/1940677/heres-how-the-bay-area-did-in-latest-annual-air-report",
"authors": [
"11578"
],
"categories": [
"science_35",
"science_40"
],
"tags": [
"science_524",
"science_3840",
"science_3370",
"science_3834"
],
"featImg": "science_1934501",
"label": "science"
},
"science_1937151": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "science_1937151",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "science",
"id": "1937151",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1548788255000
]
},
"parent": 0,
"labelTerm": {
"site": "science"
},
"blocks": [],
"publishDate": 1548788255,
"format": "standard",
"title": "California Approves Plan to Clean Up Central Valley's Toxic Air",
"headTitle": "California Approves Plan to Clean Up Central Valley’s Toxic Air | KQED",
"content": "\u003cp>The California Air Resources Board on Thursday \u003ca href=\"https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/CARB/bulletins/22a833b\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">announced \u003c/a>it’s moving forward with a plan to clean up the toxic air that plagues the San Joaquin Valley.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The region, which stretches from roughly Stockton to Bakersfield through the middle of the state, suffers some of the\u003ca href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/may/13/california-san-joaquin-valley-porterville-pollution-poverty\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> most dangerous air quality\u003c/a> in the country. \u003ca href=\"https://www.researchgate.net/publication/40894933_Outdoor_air_pollution_and_uncontrolled_asthma_in_the_San_Joaquin_Valley_California\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Asthma\u003c/a> and asthma-related hospitalization rates in the San Joaquin Valley are among the highest in the state, particularly in children.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A major culprit is fine particulate pollution, known as PM2.5, made up of tiny particles like soot, dust or sulfates floating through the air. These particles are \u003cem>2.5 \u003c/em>or fewer micrometers in diameter and are typically produced by the burning of carbon-based fuel. Not only does the San Joaquin Valley have the \u003ca href=\"https://www.lung.org/local-content/california/documents/state-of-the-air/2018/sota-2018-statewide-press-english.pdf\">wors\u003c/a>\u003ca href=\"https://www.lung.org/local-content/california/documents/state-of-the-air/2018/sota-2018-statewide-press-english.pdf\">t \u003c/a>\u003ca href=\"https://www.lung.org/local-content/california/documents/state-of-the-air/2018/sota-2018-statewide-press-english.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">particle pollution\u003c/a> in California, it’s also the among the worst nationally, failing to meet four federal standards.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[emailsignup newslettername='science' align='right']“The San Joaquin Valley has had a longstanding challenge in meeting the federal air quality standards for fine particulate,” says Michael Benjamin, chief of CARB’s Air Quality Planning and Science Division.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The region is still struggling to meet PM2.5 standards established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1997 and since revised. Due to it’s history of noncompliance, the \u003ca href=\"https://www.valleyair.org/Home.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District\u003c/a> is required to draft a plan to meet the requirements and submit it to CARB, the state’s clean air agency, which must approve it before passing it on to the EPA for federal approval.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Benjamin says the combination of agricultural emissions as well as those from the high volume of trucks moving through the region makes it a hot spot for these pollutants. In addition, the valley’s hot, dry summers followed by cool winters trap pollutants in the air.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Roughly half of the fine particulate pollution in the region is the product of burning fuels like gasoline and diesel. The other half is primarily from wood smoke and dust, \u003ca href=\"https://www.arb.ca.gov/planning/sip/sjvpm25/2018plan/2018pm25staffreport.pdf?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">according to CARB\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>According to the American Lung Association, the\u003ca href=\"https://www.lung.org/local-content/california/documents/ALAC_SJV-fact-sheet_042216.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> health risks\u003c/a> associated with particle pollution include asthma attacks, heart attacks, stroke, cancer and harm to developmental and reproductive systems.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The state’s new plan, which the district drafted with input from CARB and environmental advocacy groups, combines both regulations and financial incentives, with the goal of meeting federal clean air standards by 2024.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The plan lays outs tighter restrictions on heavy-duty truck emissions, wood-burning stoves, oil refineries and commercial charbroiling.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Benjamin says the plan will also rely heavily on the use of incentives to encourage owners of trucks and tractors to move to new, “cleaner equipment.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We’re telling people, ‘Okay you need to replace your tractor maybe 10 years sooner than you would otherwise. But if you do that, we will provide 50 percent or more funding to offset the cost of that new piece of equipment.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The goal is to turn over 12,000 tractors and 33,000 trucks in the process. But it’s still unclear where the funding will come from to pay for the incentives.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The district’s plan calls for the allocation of $5 billion spread across the next five years to get the San Joaquin Valley up to code by 2024.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The concern of a lot of people is that it relies on the governor and the Legislature allocating funds for this every year,” Benjamin says.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Bill Magavern, policy director for the Coalition for Clean Air, an advocacy group, says his organization is “skeptical” of the financial feasibility of the state’s plan.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“They’re relying on levels of incentive money that have not been available in the past, and are unlikely to be available in the future,” Magavern says. “If that money doesn’t materialize, then there’s going to be a gap.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In 2016, the Coalition for Clean Air advised CARB to reject a previous plan by the district to meet federal standards for particulate pollution.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We thought what was presented in 2016 was really just a ‘business as usual’ plan,” Magavern says. “We thought that was unacceptable.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>While the new version goes a lot further, Magavern says the coalition pushed for even tighter standards in order “to have more certainty in bringing down the emissions.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Magavern says the San Joaquin Valley’s oil and gas industry should be more heavily regulated for their contributions to the region’s pollution.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s been a long effort to try to get the pollution under control and there’s been some progress,” Magavern says, “But we’re definitely not where we need to be.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>While CARB signed off on the district’s plan on Thursday, the EPA approval process could take at least several months.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But CARB’s Benjamin says the state won’t wait for the federal government to weigh in before starting to implement the plan.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“In order to hit our target,” he says, “We’re going to need to just move forward in real-world terms—taking these actions, passing these regulations, passing out money, finding money, turning over equipment and doing all of this regardless of the bureaucratic process.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Benjamin says the region has made significant progress in recent years. Many of the regulatory measures put forth in the plan have already been adopted by CARB, and others could be put into effect as early as late 2019.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Ninety percent of the emissions reductions that are going to be needed to achieve clean air has already been adopted by CARB’s board,” Benjamin says. “So what was acted on Thursday was the final 10 percent of emission reductions.”\u003c/p>\n\n",
"stats": {
"hasVideo": false,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"hasAudio": false,
"hasPolis": false,
"wordCount": 1007,
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"paragraphCount": 29
},
"modified": 1704848874,
"excerpt": "A new plan approved by California air quality officials to clean up the air pollution plaguing the San Joaquin Valley moves on to the EPA for approval.",
"headData": {
"twImgId": "",
"twTitle": "",
"ogTitle": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twDescription": "",
"description": "A new plan approved by California air quality officials to clean up the air pollution plaguing the San Joaquin Valley moves on to the EPA for approval.",
"title": "California Approves Plan to Clean Up Central Valley's Toxic Air | KQED",
"ogDescription": "",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "Article",
"headline": "California Approves Plan to Clean Up Central Valley's Toxic Air",
"datePublished": "2019-01-29T10:57:35-08:00",
"dateModified": "2024-01-09T17:07:54-08:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png"
}
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "california-approves-plan-to-clean-up-central-valleys-toxic-air",
"status": "publish",
"sticky": false,
"path": "/science/1937151/california-approves-plan-to-clean-up-central-valleys-toxic-air",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>The California Air Resources Board on Thursday \u003ca href=\"https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/CARB/bulletins/22a833b\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">announced \u003c/a>it’s moving forward with a plan to clean up the toxic air that plagues the San Joaquin Valley.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The region, which stretches from roughly Stockton to Bakersfield through the middle of the state, suffers some of the\u003ca href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/may/13/california-san-joaquin-valley-porterville-pollution-poverty\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> most dangerous air quality\u003c/a> in the country. \u003ca href=\"https://www.researchgate.net/publication/40894933_Outdoor_air_pollution_and_uncontrolled_asthma_in_the_San_Joaquin_Valley_California\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Asthma\u003c/a> and asthma-related hospitalization rates in the San Joaquin Valley are among the highest in the state, particularly in children.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A major culprit is fine particulate pollution, known as PM2.5, made up of tiny particles like soot, dust or sulfates floating through the air. These particles are \u003cem>2.5 \u003c/em>or fewer micrometers in diameter and are typically produced by the burning of carbon-based fuel. Not only does the San Joaquin Valley have the \u003ca href=\"https://www.lung.org/local-content/california/documents/state-of-the-air/2018/sota-2018-statewide-press-english.pdf\">wors\u003c/a>\u003ca href=\"https://www.lung.org/local-content/california/documents/state-of-the-air/2018/sota-2018-statewide-press-english.pdf\">t \u003c/a>\u003ca href=\"https://www.lung.org/local-content/california/documents/state-of-the-air/2018/sota-2018-statewide-press-english.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">particle pollution\u003c/a> in California, it’s also the among the worst nationally, failing to meet four federal standards.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "emailsignup",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"newslettername": "science",
"align": "right",
"label": ""
},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>“The San Joaquin Valley has had a longstanding challenge in meeting the federal air quality standards for fine particulate,” says Michael Benjamin, chief of CARB’s Air Quality Planning and Science Division.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The region is still struggling to meet PM2.5 standards established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1997 and since revised. Due to it’s history of noncompliance, the \u003ca href=\"https://www.valleyair.org/Home.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District\u003c/a> is required to draft a plan to meet the requirements and submit it to CARB, the state’s clean air agency, which must approve it before passing it on to the EPA for federal approval.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "fullwidth"
},
"numeric": [
"fullwidth"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Benjamin says the combination of agricultural emissions as well as those from the high volume of trucks moving through the region makes it a hot spot for these pollutants. In addition, the valley’s hot, dry summers followed by cool winters trap pollutants in the air.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Roughly half of the fine particulate pollution in the region is the product of burning fuels like gasoline and diesel. The other half is primarily from wood smoke and dust, \u003ca href=\"https://www.arb.ca.gov/planning/sip/sjvpm25/2018plan/2018pm25staffreport.pdf?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">according to CARB\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>According to the American Lung Association, the\u003ca href=\"https://www.lung.org/local-content/california/documents/ALAC_SJV-fact-sheet_042216.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> health risks\u003c/a> associated with particle pollution include asthma attacks, heart attacks, stroke, cancer and harm to developmental and reproductive systems.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The state’s new plan, which the district drafted with input from CARB and environmental advocacy groups, combines both regulations and financial incentives, with the goal of meeting federal clean air standards by 2024.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The plan lays outs tighter restrictions on heavy-duty truck emissions, wood-burning stoves, oil refineries and commercial charbroiling.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Benjamin says the plan will also rely heavily on the use of incentives to encourage owners of trucks and tractors to move to new, “cleaner equipment.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We’re telling people, ‘Okay you need to replace your tractor maybe 10 years sooner than you would otherwise. But if you do that, we will provide 50 percent or more funding to offset the cost of that new piece of equipment.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The goal is to turn over 12,000 tractors and 33,000 trucks in the process. But it’s still unclear where the funding will come from to pay for the incentives.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The district’s plan calls for the allocation of $5 billion spread across the next five years to get the San Joaquin Valley up to code by 2024.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The concern of a lot of people is that it relies on the governor and the Legislature allocating funds for this every year,” Benjamin says.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Bill Magavern, policy director for the Coalition for Clean Air, an advocacy group, says his organization is “skeptical” of the financial feasibility of the state’s plan.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“They’re relying on levels of incentive money that have not been available in the past, and are unlikely to be available in the future,” Magavern says. “If that money doesn’t materialize, then there’s going to be a gap.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In 2016, the Coalition for Clean Air advised CARB to reject a previous plan by the district to meet federal standards for particulate pollution.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We thought what was presented in 2016 was really just a ‘business as usual’ plan,” Magavern says. “We thought that was unacceptable.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>While the new version goes a lot further, Magavern says the coalition pushed for even tighter standards in order “to have more certainty in bringing down the emissions.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Magavern says the San Joaquin Valley’s oil and gas industry should be more heavily regulated for their contributions to the region’s pollution.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s been a long effort to try to get the pollution under control and there’s been some progress,” Magavern says, “But we’re definitely not where we need to be.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>While CARB signed off on the district’s plan on Thursday, the EPA approval process could take at least several months.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But CARB’s Benjamin says the state won’t wait for the federal government to weigh in before starting to implement the plan.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“In order to hit our target,” he says, “We’re going to need to just move forward in real-world terms—taking these actions, passing these regulations, passing out money, finding money, turning over equipment and doing all of this regardless of the bureaucratic process.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Benjamin says the region has made significant progress in recent years. Many of the regulatory measures put forth in the plan have already been adopted by CARB, and others could be put into effect as early as late 2019.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Ninety percent of the emissions reductions that are going to be needed to achieve clean air has already been adopted by CARB’s board,” Benjamin says. “So what was acted on Thursday was the final 10 percent of emission reductions.”\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
}
],
"link": "/science/1937151/california-approves-plan-to-clean-up-central-valleys-toxic-air",
"authors": [
"11368"
],
"categories": [
"science_33",
"science_35",
"science_39",
"science_40"
],
"tags": [
"science_392",
"science_505",
"science_524",
"science_5178",
"science_686",
"science_2080",
"science_3370",
"science_1487"
],
"featImg": "science_1937352",
"label": "science"
},
"science_1934155": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "science_1934155",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "science",
"id": "1934155",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1542731429000
]
},
"parent": 0,
"labelTerm": {
"site": "science"
},
"blocks": [],
"publishDate": 1542731429,
"format": "standard",
"title": "Wind, Rain Clear Out Smoke in Most of Bay Area",
"headTitle": "Wind, Rain Clear Out Smoke in Most of Bay Area | KQED",
"content": "\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Update Wednesday, Nov. 21, 8:30 a.m.\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As expected, the rain and wind have cleared out the smoke in most of the Bay Area, bringing relief to millions of people forced to breathe air heavy with harmful particulate matter emanating from the Camp Fire in Butte County. But patches of red, categorized as “unhealthy,” do remain on the\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1930023/map-heres-your-daily-air-quality-report-for-the-bay-area\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> Air Quality Index map\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Now that the smoke has cleared, here’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1934660/no-the-coming-rain-wont-be-toxic-heres-what-to-do-when-the-smoke-clears\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">what you should do in terms of housecleaning\u003c/a> to rid yourself of the remnants of this week-plus of pollution.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And if, perhaps out of necessity, you’ve become an air quality nerd during this period, here’s the\u003ca href=\"https://airnow.gov/state/ca/index.cfm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> Air Quality Index for dozens of California cities \u003c/a>(the site has gone down intermittently due to high web traffic). The BAAQMD has \u003ca href=\"http://www.baaqmd.gov/about-air-quality/current-air-quality/air-monitoring-data?DataViewFormat=daily&DataView=aqi&StartDate=11/16/2018&ParameterId=316\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">current and recent AQI \u003c/a>from individual monitoring stations. The private company PurpleAir maintains an \u003ca href=\"https://www.purpleair.com/map?#5.48/36.751/-117.255\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">interactive, crowdsourced AQI map\u003c/a> with highly localized air quality numbers. Click here for a \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1934487/why-air-quality-monitoring-sites-kept-crashing-and-where-to-find-info-now\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">complete list\u003c/a> of resources.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Update Tuesday, Nov. 20, 8:30 a.m.\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Today will be the final day of hazy/smoky conditions.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And that’s not \u003cem>us\u003c/em> blowing smoke; that’s a direct quote from today’s National Weather Service \u003ca href=\"https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=NWS&issuedby=mtr&product=AFD&format=CI&glossary=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">forecast\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>NWS says widespread rain will arrive late tonight and Wednesday, with scattered showers continuing through tomorrow. Then, a second system is expected to bring more rain Thanksgiving afternoon through Friday.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>We’ve seen some concern on social media that the coming rain may be “toxic” due to the smoke.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The California Air Resources Board says that’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1934660/no-the-coming-rain-wont-be-toxic-heres-what-to-do-when-the-smoke-clears\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">unlikely\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">“Although Paradise experienced a large wildfire, that’s not enough smoke to cause acid rain,” said Dar Mims, meteorologist for the board. \u003cstrong>“\u003c/strong>As the winds and rain start to arrive you’re going to wash out the pollution. We will end up with a clean environment after this storm.”\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Meanwhile, right now, air quality is still \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1930023/map-heres-your-daily-air-quality-report-for-the-bay-area\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">unhealthy\u003c/a>, so staying indoors is still recommended.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Check out the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s \u003ca href=\"https://hwp-viz.gsd.esrl.noaa.gov/smoke/index.html#\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">smoke forecast\u003c/a> to see how smoke from the California fires has spread. (Click on “Near Surface Smoke” in the toolbar on the upper-left.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-1934630\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/science/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/smokedrifgt-1020x534.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"335\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/smokedrifgt-1020x534.png 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/smokedrifgt-160x84.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/smokedrifgt-800x419.png 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/smokedrifgt-768x402.png 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/smokedrifgt-1200x629.png 1200w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/smokedrifgt-1180x618.png 1180w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/smokedrifgt-960x503.png 960w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/smokedrifgt-240x126.png 240w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/smokedrifgt-375x196.png 375w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/smokedrifgt-520x272.png 520w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/smokedrifgt.png 1882w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In other bad-air news, some San Jose State University students are unhappy with the administration’s decision to reopen school Monday after shutting down last week due to the region’s poor air quality.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Thousands of students signed an online petition demanding the school cancel classes this week after administrators announced plans to reopen. The students noted that the air quality index in San Jose remains in the red zone — which Santa Clara County Public Health Officer Dr. Sara Cody says is unhealthy for everyone.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“When it’s at this level, the wildfire smoke can make anyone feel sick,” Cody said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>University Vice President Charlie Faas says the air quality has improved significantly since last week and with the end of term less than a month away, the school wants to make sure students about to graduate can do so.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We are monitoring this on an hour-by-hour basis,” Faas said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The unhealthy air is also leading a group of advocates for the homeless to give away masks in Oakland.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Mask Oakland” co-founder Jay Redwoods says the group has given away 30,000 since the Camp Fire began.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Today, he says the group has 60,000 additional masks ready for volunteers to distribute on the streets and through organizations.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Mostly, we have focused on delivering to the most marginalized,” Redwoods said. “We work through community partners. We don’t want to just have a run on masks by people who just have the best access to Twitter.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Redwoods says Mask Oakland has raised about $80,000 through online crowdfunding in addition to company donations.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>He says the group plans to stockpile any leftover masks for future emergencies.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Jon Brooks, Peter Jon Shuler and Ryan Levi contributed to this report.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Update Monday, Nov. 19, 9:55 a.m.\u003c/strong> The National Weather Service says lingering smoke will continue today. A break in the weather pattern is forecast for late Tuesday and widespread rainfall is likely early Wednesday with showers possibly throughout the day. More rain may come Thanksgiving evening through Friday.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Rainfall totals are expected to be 0.25 to 0.75 inches in the general Bay Area and 1 inch to 1.5 inches at elevations greater than 1,000 feet in the North Bay, Santa Cruz Mountains and Big Sur areas.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Right now, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1930023/map-heres-your-daily-air-quality-report-for-the-bay-area\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">air quality for much of the Bay Area\u003c/a> is still in the red zone, signifying “unhealthy” conditions. That means you should continue to limit outdoor exertion, and it’s still best to stay indoors as much as possible.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Here’s the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11707300/some-bay-area-colleges-universities-remain-closed-due-to-poor-air-quality\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">latest on school and college closures\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Update Saturday, Nov. 17, 2:40 p.m.\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Weather and air quality conditions in the Bay Area have improved slightly on Saturday, but aren’t expected to change much moving into Sunday, according to the National Weather Service.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Widespread smoke and haze at times combining with coastal fog resulting in extended poor air quality and low visibilities over the San Francisco Bay Area should show some improvement first along the immediate coast today then inland Sunday,” the weather service said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Expectations of high winds in the Chico area have triggered a red flag warning in Butte County. The winds to the north could fuel the spread of the Camp Fire and continue bringing smoke into the Bay Area. With little to no wind coming in from the ocean, the smoke is expected to continue to blanket the region.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The Air Quality Index for most of the Bay Area is in the red “unhealthy” zone, down slightly from the purple “very unhealthy” zone from Thursday and Friday. This week, San Francisco and Oakland recorded the poorest air quality since the Air District started measuring it 20 years ago.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Local air officials on Friday extended the winter Spare the Air alert through Tuesday. Burning wood and other solid fuels is prohibited during this period, because it contributes to the poor air.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The situation caused school systems and colleges around the Bay Area to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11706584/friday-school-closures-and-restrictions-announced-for-the-bay-area\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">shut down\u003c/a> on Friday, and the annual Big Game between Stanford and California that had been scheduled for Saturday has been postponed two weeks due to the smoke.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Forecasters continue to \u003ca href=\"https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=NWS&issuedby=mtr&product=AFD&format=CI&glossary=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">look ahead to rain\u003c/a> that’s expected to come starting on Wednesday and lasting through the weekend.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>See our \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1930023/map-heres-your-daily-air-quality-report-for-the-bay-area\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">air quality map\u003c/a>, updated hourly, for air quality conditions in your area. The EPA has the \u003ca href=\"https://airnow.gov/state/ca/index.cfm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">current Air Quality Index for dozens of California cities.\u003c/a> The BAAQMD has \u003ca href=\"http://www.baaqmd.gov/about-air-quality/current-air-quality/air-monitoring-data?DataViewFormat=daily&DataView=aqi&StartDate=11/16/2018&ParameterId=316\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">current and historical AQI from individual monitoring stations\u003c/a>. The private company PurpleAir maintains an \u003ca href=\"https://www.purpleair.com/map?#5.48/36.751/-117.255\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">interactive, crowdsourced AQI map\u003c/a>. More \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1934487/why-air-quality-monitoring-sites-kept-crashing-and-where-to-find-info-now\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">air quality resources\u003c/a> here.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Santa Clara County officials have opened a number of \u003ca href=\"https://www.sccgov.org/sites/osh/NeedAssistance/Documents/CleanAirCentersShelters_2018-11-16.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">clean air centers\u003c/a> for the public on the Peninsula and in the South Bay.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Several museums in San Francisco are \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13845085/escape-the-smoke-these-san-francisco-museums-are-free-this-weekend\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">free this weekend\u003c/a> for people looking to get out of the smoke. Here is a map of air “havens” in San Francisco, where you can breathe filtered air:\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[googlemaps https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1pCHFBbTTp7btPH9iJRkMLHjA5hQ&w=640&h=480]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Here is how to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1926793/protecting-your-health-from-toxic-wildfire-smoke\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">protect yourself from wildfire smoke\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Visitor operations at Alcatraz Island, Fort Point National Historic Site and Muir Woods National Monument have been suspended through Sunday, the Golden Gate National Recreation Area announced Friday.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Alcatraz Island posted this amazing but disheartening before-and-after view from the island on its \u003ca href=\"https://www.facebook.com/alcatraznps/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Facebook page\u003c/a>:\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1934385\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/science/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/alcatraz.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2048\" height=\"2048\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/alcatraz.jpg 2048w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/alcatraz-160x160.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/alcatraz-800x800.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/alcatraz-768x768.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/alcatraz-1020x1020.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/alcatraz-1200x1200.jpg 1200w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/alcatraz-1920x1920.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/alcatraz-1180x1180.jpg 1180w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/alcatraz-960x960.jpg 960w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/alcatraz-240x240.jpg 240w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/alcatraz-375x375.jpg 375w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/alcatraz-520x520.jpg 520w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/alcatraz-32x32.jpg 32w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/alcatraz-50x50.jpg 50w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/alcatraz-64x64.jpg 64w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/alcatraz-96x96.jpg 96w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/alcatraz-128x128.jpg 128w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/alcatraz-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But no matter how bad the air gets here, it’s better than the situation in \u003ca href=\"https://mobile.arb.ca.gov/breathewell/default.aspx?city=Chico#\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Chico\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Bay City News contributed to this report.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Original post\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Smoke from the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11705243/california-wildfires-what-you-need-to-know\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Camp Fire\u003c/a> is still fouling the air in much of the Bay Area, and officials have extended the current Spare the Air alert through Friday. During this period, burning wood and manufactured logs is prohibited.\u003c/p>\n\u003caside class=\"pullquote alignright\">Wearing masks outdoors are a second-best option, say air quality officials — it’s better to stay indoors.\u003c/aside>\n\u003cp>“Air quality continues to be unhealthy through much of the region and these conditions are expected to persist through Friday at least,” the Bay Area Air Quality Management District announced Monday. “While weather conditions will vary somewhat throughout the week, air quality is expected to remain unhealthy because there is so much smoke trapped at the surface and surrounding the region.”\u003c/p>\n\u003caside class=\"pullquote alignright\">\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"http://www.bepreparedcalifornia.ca.gov/ResourcesAndLinks/Languages/Documents/English/ENG_ProtectLungsSmoke7208color.pdf\" rel=\"noopener\">How to choose and use a protective air mask\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1930023/map-heres-your-daily-air-quality-report-for-the-bay-area\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Map: Current Air Quality Report for the Bay Area\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003c/aside>\n\u003cp>“This is the worst air quality we’ve had this year,” the BAAQMD’s Kristine Roselius, told listeners of KQED Forum on Friday. “It’s quite unhealthy.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But you didn’t have to be an air quality professional to render the same judgment.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[contextly_sidebar id=”NB9Nh0RAqB8wURckGQLGkr1CP2qadPcg”]Smoke generated by the Butte County fire has blanketed much of the Bay Area for going on a week now, turning the sky a faintly pink or orange hue and the air quality maps an ominous red. The acrid air closed schools in Sonoma County and kept students in many districts indoors on Friday.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Many people walked the streets outfitted with the N95 masks, certified to filter out toxic particles, that are becoming critical household items due to more frequent wildfires.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Cole Hardware in North Beach has sold thousands of respirator masks, said store manager Tina Rotolo, cleaning out its suppliers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We bought as many as they would sell us,” Rotol said. “Eight hundred, 700, 500 at a time of any mask we could get our hands on.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Giselle Smith, who works in KQED’s garage, wore an N95 Friday as she checked in visitors to the station in San Francisco’s Mission District.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I couldn’t breathe,” she said. “A lot of people who suffer from asthma had to call in and have asthma treatments.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>St. Anthony’s soup kitchen and clinic in San Francisco has converted its dining room into an overnight emergency shelter for the homeless, something it usually doesn’t do until winter.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Opening early “is something we’ve never done before,” said St. Anthony’s spokeswoman Rachel Ball.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In Oakland, volunteers are giving out respirator masks to the city’s homeless. A group called Mask Oakland has given out 5,000 masks since Friday, says Cassandra Williams, a volunteer with the group.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Best to Stay Home\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But the masks are a second-best option, said Roselius, from the air district.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Stay indoors, if at all possible,” she advised. “That’s your first and best defense. The masks are not always effective.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Roselius said masks need to be securely strapped, fit closely to your face, and pinched snugly around your nose to be effective.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>They’re also not designed for men with beards or for young children, she said. Nor should they be reused, if it’s avoidable.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>To protect yourself at home, keep your windows closed. The California Air Resources Board recommends HEPA air cleaners, which can greatly reduce indoor particle levels. If you’re in a car, close your windows and put your air conditioning on recirculate, which will help keep out the smoke.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Tara Siler, Anna Kusmer, Marissa Shieh and Queena Kim contributed to this post.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\n",
"stats": {
"hasVideo": false,
"hasChartOrMap": true,
"hasAudio": false,
"hasPolis": false,
"wordCount": 1967,
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"iframeSrcs": [
"https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed"
],
"paragraphCount": 71
},
"modified": 1704927306,
"excerpt": "The changing weather has improved what were unhealthy levels of polluted air in much of the Bay Area.",
"headData": {
"twImgId": "",
"twTitle": "",
"ogTitle": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twDescription": "",
"description": "The changing weather has improved what were unhealthy levels of polluted air in much of the Bay Area.",
"title": "Wind, Rain Clear Out Smoke in Most of Bay Area | KQED",
"ogDescription": "",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "Article",
"headline": "Wind, Rain Clear Out Smoke in Most of Bay Area",
"datePublished": "2018-11-20T08:30:29-08:00",
"dateModified": "2024-01-10T14:55:06-08:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png"
}
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "smoke-from-camp-fire-blankets-bay-area",
"status": "publish",
"nprByline": "KQED Science and KQED News",
"sticky": false,
"path": "/science/1934155/smoke-from-camp-fire-blankets-bay-area",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Update Wednesday, Nov. 21, 8:30 a.m.\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As expected, the rain and wind have cleared out the smoke in most of the Bay Area, bringing relief to millions of people forced to breathe air heavy with harmful particulate matter emanating from the Camp Fire in Butte County. But patches of red, categorized as “unhealthy,” do remain on the\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1930023/map-heres-your-daily-air-quality-report-for-the-bay-area\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> Air Quality Index map\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Now that the smoke has cleared, here’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1934660/no-the-coming-rain-wont-be-toxic-heres-what-to-do-when-the-smoke-clears\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">what you should do in terms of housecleaning\u003c/a> to rid yourself of the remnants of this week-plus of pollution.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And if, perhaps out of necessity, you’ve become an air quality nerd during this period, here’s the\u003ca href=\"https://airnow.gov/state/ca/index.cfm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> Air Quality Index for dozens of California cities \u003c/a>(the site has gone down intermittently due to high web traffic). The BAAQMD has \u003ca href=\"http://www.baaqmd.gov/about-air-quality/current-air-quality/air-monitoring-data?DataViewFormat=daily&DataView=aqi&StartDate=11/16/2018&ParameterId=316\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">current and recent AQI \u003c/a>from individual monitoring stations. The private company PurpleAir maintains an \u003ca href=\"https://www.purpleair.com/map?#5.48/36.751/-117.255\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">interactive, crowdsourced AQI map\u003c/a> with highly localized air quality numbers. Click here for a \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1934487/why-air-quality-monitoring-sites-kept-crashing-and-where-to-find-info-now\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">complete list\u003c/a> of resources.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Update Tuesday, Nov. 20, 8:30 a.m.\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "fullwidth"
},
"numeric": [
"fullwidth"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Today will be the final day of hazy/smoky conditions.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And that’s not \u003cem>us\u003c/em> blowing smoke; that’s a direct quote from today’s National Weather Service \u003ca href=\"https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=NWS&issuedby=mtr&product=AFD&format=CI&glossary=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">forecast\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>NWS says widespread rain will arrive late tonight and Wednesday, with scattered showers continuing through tomorrow. Then, a second system is expected to bring more rain Thanksgiving afternoon through Friday.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>We’ve seen some concern on social media that the coming rain may be “toxic” due to the smoke.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The California Air Resources Board says that’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1934660/no-the-coming-rain-wont-be-toxic-heres-what-to-do-when-the-smoke-clears\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">unlikely\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">“Although Paradise experienced a large wildfire, that’s not enough smoke to cause acid rain,” said Dar Mims, meteorologist for the board. \u003cstrong>“\u003c/strong>As the winds and rain start to arrive you’re going to wash out the pollution. We will end up with a clean environment after this storm.”\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Meanwhile, right now, air quality is still \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1930023/map-heres-your-daily-air-quality-report-for-the-bay-area\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">unhealthy\u003c/a>, so staying indoors is still recommended.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Check out the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s \u003ca href=\"https://hwp-viz.gsd.esrl.noaa.gov/smoke/index.html#\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">smoke forecast\u003c/a> to see how smoke from the California fires has spread. (Click on “Near Surface Smoke” in the toolbar on the upper-left.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-1934630\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/science/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/smokedrifgt-1020x534.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"335\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/smokedrifgt-1020x534.png 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/smokedrifgt-160x84.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/smokedrifgt-800x419.png 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/smokedrifgt-768x402.png 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/smokedrifgt-1200x629.png 1200w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/smokedrifgt-1180x618.png 1180w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/smokedrifgt-960x503.png 960w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/smokedrifgt-240x126.png 240w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/smokedrifgt-375x196.png 375w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/smokedrifgt-520x272.png 520w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/smokedrifgt.png 1882w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In other bad-air news, some San Jose State University students are unhappy with the administration’s decision to reopen school Monday after shutting down last week due to the region’s poor air quality.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Thousands of students signed an online petition demanding the school cancel classes this week after administrators announced plans to reopen. The students noted that the air quality index in San Jose remains in the red zone — which Santa Clara County Public Health Officer Dr. Sara Cody says is unhealthy for everyone.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“When it’s at this level, the wildfire smoke can make anyone feel sick,” Cody said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>University Vice President Charlie Faas says the air quality has improved significantly since last week and with the end of term less than a month away, the school wants to make sure students about to graduate can do so.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We are monitoring this on an hour-by-hour basis,” Faas said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The unhealthy air is also leading a group of advocates for the homeless to give away masks in Oakland.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Mask Oakland” co-founder Jay Redwoods says the group has given away 30,000 since the Camp Fire began.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Today, he says the group has 60,000 additional masks ready for volunteers to distribute on the streets and through organizations.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Mostly, we have focused on delivering to the most marginalized,” Redwoods said. “We work through community partners. We don’t want to just have a run on masks by people who just have the best access to Twitter.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Redwoods says Mask Oakland has raised about $80,000 through online crowdfunding in addition to company donations.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>He says the group plans to stockpile any leftover masks for future emergencies.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Jon Brooks, Peter Jon Shuler and Ryan Levi contributed to this report.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Update Monday, Nov. 19, 9:55 a.m.\u003c/strong> The National Weather Service says lingering smoke will continue today. A break in the weather pattern is forecast for late Tuesday and widespread rainfall is likely early Wednesday with showers possibly throughout the day. More rain may come Thanksgiving evening through Friday.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Rainfall totals are expected to be 0.25 to 0.75 inches in the general Bay Area and 1 inch to 1.5 inches at elevations greater than 1,000 feet in the North Bay, Santa Cruz Mountains and Big Sur areas.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Right now, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1930023/map-heres-your-daily-air-quality-report-for-the-bay-area\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">air quality for much of the Bay Area\u003c/a> is still in the red zone, signifying “unhealthy” conditions. That means you should continue to limit outdoor exertion, and it’s still best to stay indoors as much as possible.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Here’s the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11707300/some-bay-area-colleges-universities-remain-closed-due-to-poor-air-quality\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">latest on school and college closures\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Update Saturday, Nov. 17, 2:40 p.m.\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Weather and air quality conditions in the Bay Area have improved slightly on Saturday, but aren’t expected to change much moving into Sunday, according to the National Weather Service.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Widespread smoke and haze at times combining with coastal fog resulting in extended poor air quality and low visibilities over the San Francisco Bay Area should show some improvement first along the immediate coast today then inland Sunday,” the weather service said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Expectations of high winds in the Chico area have triggered a red flag warning in Butte County. The winds to the north could fuel the spread of the Camp Fire and continue bringing smoke into the Bay Area. With little to no wind coming in from the ocean, the smoke is expected to continue to blanket the region.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The Air Quality Index for most of the Bay Area is in the red “unhealthy” zone, down slightly from the purple “very unhealthy” zone from Thursday and Friday. This week, San Francisco and Oakland recorded the poorest air quality since the Air District started measuring it 20 years ago.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Local air officials on Friday extended the winter Spare the Air alert through Tuesday. Burning wood and other solid fuels is prohibited during this period, because it contributes to the poor air.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The situation caused school systems and colleges around the Bay Area to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11706584/friday-school-closures-and-restrictions-announced-for-the-bay-area\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">shut down\u003c/a> on Friday, and the annual Big Game between Stanford and California that had been scheduled for Saturday has been postponed two weeks due to the smoke.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Forecasters continue to \u003ca href=\"https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=NWS&issuedby=mtr&product=AFD&format=CI&glossary=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">look ahead to rain\u003c/a> that’s expected to come starting on Wednesday and lasting through the weekend.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>See our \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1930023/map-heres-your-daily-air-quality-report-for-the-bay-area\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">air quality map\u003c/a>, updated hourly, for air quality conditions in your area. The EPA has the \u003ca href=\"https://airnow.gov/state/ca/index.cfm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">current Air Quality Index for dozens of California cities.\u003c/a> The BAAQMD has \u003ca href=\"http://www.baaqmd.gov/about-air-quality/current-air-quality/air-monitoring-data?DataViewFormat=daily&DataView=aqi&StartDate=11/16/2018&ParameterId=316\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">current and historical AQI from individual monitoring stations\u003c/a>. The private company PurpleAir maintains an \u003ca href=\"https://www.purpleair.com/map?#5.48/36.751/-117.255\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">interactive, crowdsourced AQI map\u003c/a>. More \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1934487/why-air-quality-monitoring-sites-kept-crashing-and-where-to-find-info-now\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">air quality resources\u003c/a> here.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Santa Clara County officials have opened a number of \u003ca href=\"https://www.sccgov.org/sites/osh/NeedAssistance/Documents/CleanAirCentersShelters_2018-11-16.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">clean air centers\u003c/a> for the public on the Peninsula and in the South Bay.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Several museums in San Francisco are \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13845085/escape-the-smoke-these-san-francisco-museums-are-free-this-weekend\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">free this weekend\u003c/a> for people looking to get out of the smoke. Here is a map of air “havens” in San Francisco, where you can breathe filtered air:\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003cp>\u003ciframe\n src='https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1pCHFBbTTp7btPH9iJRkMLHjA5hQ&w=640&h=480'\n title='https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1pCHFBbTTp7btPH9iJRkMLHjA5hQ&w=640&h=480'\n width='640'\n height='480'\n scrolling='no'\n frameborder='no'>\u003c/iframe>\u003c/p>\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Here is how to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1926793/protecting-your-health-from-toxic-wildfire-smoke\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">protect yourself from wildfire smoke\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Visitor operations at Alcatraz Island, Fort Point National Historic Site and Muir Woods National Monument have been suspended through Sunday, the Golden Gate National Recreation Area announced Friday.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Alcatraz Island posted this amazing but disheartening before-and-after view from the island on its \u003ca href=\"https://www.facebook.com/alcatraznps/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Facebook page\u003c/a>:\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1934385\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/science/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/alcatraz.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2048\" height=\"2048\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/alcatraz.jpg 2048w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/alcatraz-160x160.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/alcatraz-800x800.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/alcatraz-768x768.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/alcatraz-1020x1020.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/alcatraz-1200x1200.jpg 1200w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/alcatraz-1920x1920.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/alcatraz-1180x1180.jpg 1180w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/alcatraz-960x960.jpg 960w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/alcatraz-240x240.jpg 240w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/alcatraz-375x375.jpg 375w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/alcatraz-520x520.jpg 520w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/alcatraz-32x32.jpg 32w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/alcatraz-50x50.jpg 50w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/alcatraz-64x64.jpg 64w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/alcatraz-96x96.jpg 96w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/alcatraz-128x128.jpg 128w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2018/11/alcatraz-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But no matter how bad the air gets here, it’s better than the situation in \u003ca href=\"https://mobile.arb.ca.gov/breathewell/default.aspx?city=Chico#\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Chico\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Bay City News contributed to this report.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Original post\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Smoke from the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11705243/california-wildfires-what-you-need-to-know\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Camp Fire\u003c/a> is still fouling the air in much of the Bay Area, and officials have extended the current Spare the Air alert through Friday. During this period, burning wood and manufactured logs is prohibited.\u003c/p>\n\u003caside class=\"pullquote alignright\">Wearing masks outdoors are a second-best option, say air quality officials — it’s better to stay indoors.\u003c/aside>\n\u003cp>“Air quality continues to be unhealthy through much of the region and these conditions are expected to persist through Friday at least,” the Bay Area Air Quality Management District announced Monday. “While weather conditions will vary somewhat throughout the week, air quality is expected to remain unhealthy because there is so much smoke trapped at the surface and surrounding the region.”\u003c/p>\n\u003caside class=\"pullquote alignright\">\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"http://www.bepreparedcalifornia.ca.gov/ResourcesAndLinks/Languages/Documents/English/ENG_ProtectLungsSmoke7208color.pdf\" rel=\"noopener\">How to choose and use a protective air mask\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1930023/map-heres-your-daily-air-quality-report-for-the-bay-area\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Map: Current Air Quality Report for the Bay Area\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003c/aside>\n\u003cp>“This is the worst air quality we’ve had this year,” the BAAQMD’s Kristine Roselius, told listeners of KQED Forum on Friday. “It’s quite unhealthy.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But you didn’t have to be an air quality professional to render the same judgment.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003cp>Smoke generated by the Butte County fire has blanketed much of the Bay Area for going on a week now, turning the sky a faintly pink or orange hue and the air quality maps an ominous red. The acrid air closed schools in Sonoma County and kept students in many districts indoors on Friday.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Many people walked the streets outfitted with the N95 masks, certified to filter out toxic particles, that are becoming critical household items due to more frequent wildfires.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Cole Hardware in North Beach has sold thousands of respirator masks, said store manager Tina Rotolo, cleaning out its suppliers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We bought as many as they would sell us,” Rotol said. “Eight hundred, 700, 500 at a time of any mask we could get our hands on.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Giselle Smith, who works in KQED’s garage, wore an N95 Friday as she checked in visitors to the station in San Francisco’s Mission District.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I couldn’t breathe,” she said. “A lot of people who suffer from asthma had to call in and have asthma treatments.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>St. Anthony’s soup kitchen and clinic in San Francisco has converted its dining room into an overnight emergency shelter for the homeless, something it usually doesn’t do until winter.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Opening early “is something we’ve never done before,” said St. Anthony’s spokeswoman Rachel Ball.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In Oakland, volunteers are giving out respirator masks to the city’s homeless. A group called Mask Oakland has given out 5,000 masks since Friday, says Cassandra Williams, a volunteer with the group.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Best to Stay Home\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But the masks are a second-best option, said Roselius, from the air district.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Stay indoors, if at all possible,” she advised. “That’s your first and best defense. The masks are not always effective.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Roselius said masks need to be securely strapped, fit closely to your face, and pinched snugly around your nose to be effective.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>They’re also not designed for men with beards or for young children, she said. Nor should they be reused, if it’s avoidable.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>To protect yourself at home, keep your windows closed. The California Air Resources Board recommends HEPA air cleaners, which can greatly reduce indoor particle levels. If you’re in a car, close your windows and put your air conditioning on recirculate, which will help keep out the smoke.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "floatright"
},
"numeric": [
"floatright"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Tara Siler, Anna Kusmer, Marissa Shieh and Queena Kim contributed to this post.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
}
],
"link": "/science/1934155/smoke-from-camp-fire-blankets-bay-area",
"authors": [
"byline_science_1934155"
],
"categories": [
"science_35",
"science_40"
],
"tags": [
"science_524"
],
"featImg": "science_1934744",
"label": "science"
},
"science_1934487": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "science_1934487",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "science",
"id": "1934487",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1542416887000
]
},
"parent": 0,
"labelTerm": {
"site": "science"
},
"blocks": [],
"publishDate": 1542416887,
"format": "standard",
"title": "Why Air Quality Monitoring Sites Kept Crashing and Where to Find Info Now",
"headTitle": "Why Air Quality Monitoring Sites Kept Crashing and Where to Find Info Now | KQED",
"content": "\u003cp>Smoke from \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11705243/california-wildfires-what-you-need-to-know\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">the Camp Fire\u003c/a> in Butte County has created \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1934155/smoke-from-camp-fire-blankets-bay-area\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">“very unhealthy” and “hazardous” levels of air quality in the Bay Area\u003c/a>, per EPA standards, and it’s not expected to get much better until next week.\u003c/p>\n\u003caside class=\"alignright\">\n\u003ch3>Resources to Check Air Quality\u003c/h3>\n\u003cp> \u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://tools.airfire.org/monitoring/v4/#!/?category=PM2.5_nowcast¢erlat=42¢erlon=-95&zoom=4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">U.S. Forest Service Air Monitoring Program\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://mobile.arb.ca.gov/breathewell/CityList.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Air Resource Board Breathewell for Mobile\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"http://www.baaqmd.gov/about-air-quality/current-air-quality/air-monitoring-data?DataViewFormat=daily&DataView=aqi&ParameterId=316\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">BAAQMD AQI Stations\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"http://aqicn.org/city/california/san-francisco/san-francisco-arkansas-street/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">World Air Quality Index\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.purpleair.com/map#1/25/-30\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">PurpleAir\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://airnow.gov/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">AirNow\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1930023/map-heres-your-daily-air-quality-report-for-the-bay-area\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">KQED’s Air Quality Map\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003c/aside>\n\u003cp>It’s no wonder, then, that residents around the Bay have been trying to access more information about their air. Most of us have been clicking on the EPA’s air quality website,\u003ca href=\"https://airnow.gov/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> AirNow,\u003c/a> which allows you to type in your zip code and see the Air Quality Index (AQI) for your area. AirNow hasn’t been able to handle the crush of traffic, and the site has been crashing intermittently since the smoke descended upon the Bay Area.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The AirNow website is still experiencing very heavy traffic and may be slow,” the agency said on Facebook and \u003ca href=\"https://twitter.com/AIRNow/status/1061781457235075077\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">in a tweet\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>According to a spokesperson from the EPA, 3.2 million visitors hit the website from Nov. 9 to 15, with as many as 21,000 concurrent users. That’s 100 times more simultaneous users than usual, the EPA said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The outages have prompted some very angry comments from the public.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[contextly_sidebar id=”1GthEx6ZkGk0ffVFzig56hRo2SDzVRWC”]”Your website is broken. We are kind of in a state of emergency right now,” wrote one user \u003ca href=\"https://www.facebook.com/airnow/posts/10157280698459769?comment_id=10157282509934769&comment_tracking=%7B%22tn%22%3A%22R0%22%7D\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">on Facebook\u003c/a>. Wrote \u003ca href=\"https://www.facebook.com/airnow/posts/10157280698459769?comment_id=10157281121744769&comment_tracking=%7B%22tn%22%3A%22R%2310%22%7D\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">another\u003c/a>: “Please fix it. You are depriving people from accessing crucial info that will affect their health. Hire adequate developers who would run it normally.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>One of the factors affecting the site’s performance was that AirNow upgraded to a new interface in September, and the site’s expanded functionality required more server resources. When the site became overloaded this week, AirNow started redirecting users to parts of the old site to spread out the traffic. But some of the new links didn’t work on the old site and some of the old maps wouldn’t load. So AirNow decided to revert fully to the old site, which has made the service more stable.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It’s not just AirNow site that’s struggled to meet the demand. \u003ca href=\"http://www.baaqmd.gov/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Bay Area Air Quality Management District’s website\u003c/a> has been getting 300,000 page views per day, according to a spokesperson, a 6,000 percent increase in traffic. The agency had to increase server and database capacity to handle the load.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.purpleair.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">PurpleAir\u003c/a>, which is a small private company that creates portable personal air monitors and uses a wi-fi open source network to map the air quality via that equipment, also succumbed to traffic overload Thursday night.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[contextly_sidebar id=”Kkqn03fC9rIQWVIvaFgWfWSvg2bUAJP6″]”This is much bigger than expected. Through the fires this summer we did not experience this sort of traffic,” said Amanda Hawkins, one of the company’s founders.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The good news: Most of the sites have now upgraded their back-ends to handle the traffic. AirNow, for instance, is back to providing AQIs on a more granular geographical level.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The other good news: There are other places to get your air quality information, if one site isn’t loading.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Some options:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>AirNow partnered with the\u003ca href=\"https://sites.google.com/firenet.gov/wfaqrp-external/home\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> U.S. Forest Service’s Wildland Fire Air Quality Response Program\u003c/a> to send users to its site when necessary. The U.S. Forest Service increased their service capacity Thursday to take on some of the additional traffic. \u003ca href=\"https://tools.airfire.org/monitoring/v4/#!/?category=PM2.5_nowcast¢erlat=42¢erlon=-95&zoom=4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">See the U.S. Forest Service’s Air Monitoring site here\u003c/a>.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>The California Air Resources Board also runs a \u003ca href=\"https://mobile.arb.ca.gov/breathewell/CityList.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Breathewell site\u003c/a> designed for mobile users.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"http://www.baaqmd.gov/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">BAAQMD.gov\u003c/a> increased its server capacity and provides an air quality map, as well as pure data. The 31 actual air monitors around the Bay Area that feed the AirNow site come from BAAQMD.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>The World Air Quality Index is a global project, based in Beijing, that provides AQI information for 1,000 cities around the world. You can view the\u003ca href=\"http://aqicn.org/city/california/san-francisco/san-francisco-arkansas-street/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> AQI at the nearest station to you\u003c/a>.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.purpleair.com/map#1/25/-30\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">PurpleAir\u003c/a> also provides a map made up of data from its own network of personal air monitors. The difference, though, is PurpleAir provides rolling updates—so the AQI is the most recent 80-second average—whereas the AQI on AirNow or BAAQMD is often a 24-hour average with an hourly estimate based on calculations. PurpleAir uses a different type of monitor, a cheaper and more portable laser particle counter, which can read slightly higher than sensors that measure particulate matter by mass concentration.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1930023/map-heres-your-daily-air-quality-report-for-the-bay-area\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">KQED’s map\u003c/a> is updated hourly, based on the open data from AirNow, and includes info about the air quality categories.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>You can also try \u003ca href=\"https://airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=airnow.local_city&zipcode=94102&submit=Go\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">the AirNow website\u003c/a> again. It appeared to be working more reliably throughout Friday.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003cbr />\n[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n",
"stats": {
"hasVideo": false,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"hasAudio": false,
"hasPolis": false,
"wordCount": 828,
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"paragraphCount": 14
},
"modified": 1704927310,
"excerpt": "With so many people looking for air quality data, websites can't handle the traffic. Here are some options.",
"headData": {
"twImgId": "",
"twTitle": "",
"ogTitle": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twDescription": "",
"description": "With so many people looking for air quality data, websites can't handle the traffic. Here are some options.",
"title": "Why Air Quality Monitoring Sites Kept Crashing and Where to Find Info Now | KQED",
"ogDescription": "",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "Article",
"headline": "Why Air Quality Monitoring Sites Kept Crashing and Where to Find Info Now",
"datePublished": "2018-11-16T17:08:07-08:00",
"dateModified": "2024-01-10T14:55:10-08:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png"
}
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "why-air-quality-monitoring-sites-kept-crashing-and-where-to-find-info-now",
"status": "publish",
"sticky": false,
"path": "/science/1934487/why-air-quality-monitoring-sites-kept-crashing-and-where-to-find-info-now",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>Smoke from \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11705243/california-wildfires-what-you-need-to-know\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">the Camp Fire\u003c/a> in Butte County has created \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1934155/smoke-from-camp-fire-blankets-bay-area\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">“very unhealthy” and “hazardous” levels of air quality in the Bay Area\u003c/a>, per EPA standards, and it’s not expected to get much better until next week.\u003c/p>\n\u003caside class=\"alignright\">\n\u003ch3>Resources to Check Air Quality\u003c/h3>\n\u003cp> \u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://tools.airfire.org/monitoring/v4/#!/?category=PM2.5_nowcast¢erlat=42¢erlon=-95&zoom=4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">U.S. Forest Service Air Monitoring Program\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://mobile.arb.ca.gov/breathewell/CityList.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Air Resource Board Breathewell for Mobile\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"http://www.baaqmd.gov/about-air-quality/current-air-quality/air-monitoring-data?DataViewFormat=daily&DataView=aqi&ParameterId=316\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">BAAQMD AQI Stations\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"http://aqicn.org/city/california/san-francisco/san-francisco-arkansas-street/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">World Air Quality Index\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.purpleair.com/map#1/25/-30\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">PurpleAir\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://airnow.gov/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">AirNow\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1930023/map-heres-your-daily-air-quality-report-for-the-bay-area\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">KQED’s Air Quality Map\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003c/aside>\n\u003cp>It’s no wonder, then, that residents around the Bay have been trying to access more information about their air. Most of us have been clicking on the EPA’s air quality website,\u003ca href=\"https://airnow.gov/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> AirNow,\u003c/a> which allows you to type in your zip code and see the Air Quality Index (AQI) for your area. AirNow hasn’t been able to handle the crush of traffic, and the site has been crashing intermittently since the smoke descended upon the Bay Area.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The AirNow website is still experiencing very heavy traffic and may be slow,” the agency said on Facebook and \u003ca href=\"https://twitter.com/AIRNow/status/1061781457235075077\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">in a tweet\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>According to a spokesperson from the EPA, 3.2 million visitors hit the website from Nov. 9 to 15, with as many as 21,000 concurrent users. That’s 100 times more simultaneous users than usual, the EPA said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The outages have prompted some very angry comments from the public.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003cp>”Your website is broken. We are kind of in a state of emergency right now,” wrote one user \u003ca href=\"https://www.facebook.com/airnow/posts/10157280698459769?comment_id=10157282509934769&comment_tracking=%7B%22tn%22%3A%22R0%22%7D\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">on Facebook\u003c/a>. Wrote \u003ca href=\"https://www.facebook.com/airnow/posts/10157280698459769?comment_id=10157281121744769&comment_tracking=%7B%22tn%22%3A%22R%2310%22%7D\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">another\u003c/a>: “Please fix it. You are depriving people from accessing crucial info that will affect their health. Hire adequate developers who would run it normally.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>One of the factors affecting the site’s performance was that AirNow upgraded to a new interface in September, and the site’s expanded functionality required more server resources. When the site became overloaded this week, AirNow started redirecting users to parts of the old site to spread out the traffic. But some of the new links didn’t work on the old site and some of the old maps wouldn’t load. So AirNow decided to revert fully to the old site, which has made the service more stable.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It’s not just AirNow site that’s struggled to meet the demand. \u003ca href=\"http://www.baaqmd.gov/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Bay Area Air Quality Management District’s website\u003c/a> has been getting 300,000 page views per day, according to a spokesperson, a 6,000 percent increase in traffic. The agency had to increase server and database capacity to handle the load.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.purpleair.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">PurpleAir\u003c/a>, which is a small private company that creates portable personal air monitors and uses a wi-fi open source network to map the air quality via that equipment, also succumbed to traffic overload Thursday night.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003cp>”This is much bigger than expected. Through the fires this summer we did not experience this sort of traffic,” said Amanda Hawkins, one of the company’s founders.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The good news: Most of the sites have now upgraded their back-ends to handle the traffic. AirNow, for instance, is back to providing AQIs on a more granular geographical level.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The other good news: There are other places to get your air quality information, if one site isn’t loading.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Some options:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>AirNow partnered with the\u003ca href=\"https://sites.google.com/firenet.gov/wfaqrp-external/home\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> U.S. Forest Service’s Wildland Fire Air Quality Response Program\u003c/a> to send users to its site when necessary. The U.S. Forest Service increased their service capacity Thursday to take on some of the additional traffic. \u003ca href=\"https://tools.airfire.org/monitoring/v4/#!/?category=PM2.5_nowcast¢erlat=42¢erlon=-95&zoom=4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">See the U.S. Forest Service’s Air Monitoring site here\u003c/a>.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>The California Air Resources Board also runs a \u003ca href=\"https://mobile.arb.ca.gov/breathewell/CityList.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Breathewell site\u003c/a> designed for mobile users.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"http://www.baaqmd.gov/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">BAAQMD.gov\u003c/a> increased its server capacity and provides an air quality map, as well as pure data. The 31 actual air monitors around the Bay Area that feed the AirNow site come from BAAQMD.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>The World Air Quality Index is a global project, based in Beijing, that provides AQI information for 1,000 cities around the world. You can view the\u003ca href=\"http://aqicn.org/city/california/san-francisco/san-francisco-arkansas-street/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> AQI at the nearest station to you\u003c/a>.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.purpleair.com/map#1/25/-30\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">PurpleAir\u003c/a> also provides a map made up of data from its own network of personal air monitors. The difference, though, is PurpleAir provides rolling updates—so the AQI is the most recent 80-second average—whereas the AQI on AirNow or BAAQMD is often a 24-hour average with an hourly estimate based on calculations. PurpleAir uses a different type of monitor, a cheaper and more portable laser particle counter, which can read slightly higher than sensors that measure particulate matter by mass concentration.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1930023/map-heres-your-daily-air-quality-report-for-the-bay-area\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">KQED’s map\u003c/a> is updated hourly, based on the open data from AirNow, and includes info about the air quality categories.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>You can also try \u003ca href=\"https://airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=airnow.local_city&zipcode=94102&submit=Go\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">the AirNow website\u003c/a> again. It appeared to be working more reliably throughout Friday.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "fullwidth"
},
"numeric": [
"fullwidth"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cbr />\n\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "floatright"
},
"numeric": [
"floatright"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
}
],
"link": "/science/1934487/why-air-quality-monitoring-sites-kept-crashing-and-where-to-find-info-now",
"authors": [
"1459"
],
"categories": [
"science_31",
"science_35",
"science_39",
"science_40",
"science_3730"
],
"tags": [
"science_524",
"science_3463",
"science_113"
],
"featImg": "science_1934501",
"label": "science"
},
"science_1934364": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "science_1934364",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "science",
"id": "1934364",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1542330930000
]
},
"parent": 0,
"labelTerm": {
"site": "science"
},
"blocks": [],
"publishDate": 1542330930,
"format": "standard",
"title": "What You Need to Know About the Bay Area's Current Abysmal Air Quality",
"headTitle": "What You Need to Know About the Bay Area’s Current Abysmal Air Quality | KQED",
"content": "\u003cp>Since \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11705243/california-wildfires-what-you-need-to-know\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">the Camp Fire\u003c/a> in Butte County blew up a week ago, the Bay Area has been choked with smoke, fouling the air quality throughout the region. As of Thursday afternoon, air quality readings had gotten so bad in San Francisco that it reached “hazardous” levels per EPA standards. Due to the smoke, a number of Bay Area school districts have \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11706584/friday-school-closures-and-restrictions-announced-for-the-bay-area\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">canceled classes on Friday.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Conditions are expected \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1934155/smoke-from-camp-fire-blankets-bay-area\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">to remain smoky at least through the weekend\u003c/a>, stretching the current stint of bad air to nearly two weeks, and leaving many residents wondering how to cope.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[contextly_sidebar id=”pDXbVZZoq1WjaMJkElnjfAXBMcSLtJSw”]Sharon Chinthrajah, a clinical associate professor in allergy and immunology at Stanford, and Kirk Smith, a professor of global environmental health at UC Berkeley, appeared on \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101868246/wildfire-smoke-air-quality-and-your-health\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">KQED’s Forum program\u003c/a> Wednesday to answer questions about smoke, air quality and the resulting health effects from exposure to toxic particles.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Some key takeaways:\u003c/p>\n\u003ch3>What Exactly is in the Air?\u003c/h3>\n\u003cp>When wildfires burn, they release a range of particles into the air. Wood smoke also contains chemicals like formaldehyde and benzene, especially when fire sweeps through urban areas.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Most of the ash consists of visible particles, but “really it’s the small particles we worry about,” said Chinthrajah. In “particular,” she means \u003ca href=\"http://www.npi.gov.au/resource/particulate-matter-pm10-and-pm25\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">particles less than 2.5 microns\u003c/a> in diameter. (A micron is 1/1,000,000th of a meter, or .00004 inches. For comparison, a human red blood cell is about five microns across.) When you breathe in particles smaller than 2.5 microns in diameter, they can readily enter your lungs and bloodstream.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch3>Long-term v. Short-term Health Effects\u003c/h3>\n\u003cp>While there are a number of studies that have tracked the long-term effects of breathing in chronic air pollution, said Smith, it’s more difficult to pin down the short-term effects. In the long-term, chronic exposure to small particles has been linked to early morbidity, decreased lung function, and compromised immune cells. \u003ca href=\"https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-10/tl-tlp101817.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">One study\u003c/a> suggested that 6.5 million people die each year prematurely due to poor air quality. In the short-term, however, it’s difficult to pin down what the effects are to those who aren’t already vulnerable to existing heart or lung disease.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch3>How to Keep Track of the Air Quality\u003c/h3>\n\u003cp>There are a number of sites that track air quality, such as \u003ca href=\"https://airnow.gov\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">AirNow.gov\u003c/a>, which uses sensors and data from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, and the privately run \u003ca href=\"https://www.purpleair.com/map?#11/37.7846/-122.3379\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">PurpleAir\u003c/a>, and uses crowd-sourced data from its own network of for-sale air quality sensors. Many of them have been overrun with web traffic, however. You can also use\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1930023/map-heres-your-daily-air-quality-report-for-the-bay-area\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> the KQED air quality map\u003c/a>, which is updated continually with AirNow data.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[contextly_sidebar id=”szYmvQahwNmXyG8eZRFOmSVPE8fyri4S”]All of these sites allow you to type in your zip code and see the AQI, or Air Quality Index number, with a description of what that number means. The AQI is a standard calculation that quantifies both ozone pollution and PM 2.5, or particles 2.5 microns wide. AQI numbers over 100 are considered unhealthy for sensitive groups, over 150 is considered unhealthy even for healthy people, and over 200 is considered hazardous.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>While we are currently experiencing values in the high-100s and low-200s, other parts of the world regularly have AQI numbers higher than that. New Delhi, where Smith lives half of the year, had a 340 AQI when he looked it up before coming on the program. It’s a “\u003ca href=\"https://waqi.info/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">global phenomenon\u003c/a>,” he said, adding for perspective that the worst air-quality days in the Bay Area are probably comparable to the best days in New Delhi.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch3>How to Protect Yourself\u003c/h3>\n\u003cp>Limit your outdoor exposure. Even in a drafty house, the amount of air pollution is less than outdoors, because particles are absorbed partially by walls and don’t penetrate fully. Indoor air in the average house in the U.S., said Smith, is typically 15 percent less polluted than outside.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[contextly_sidebar id=”fNL3Os6xjtEbhZRcgtol0ySPLqslM08y”]However, if you have HEPA-certified air filters running, doors and windows closed, gaps sealed, and the air recirculating inside the house, then you can bring the air pollution levels down to 3-4 times lower than outside, Smith noted. Most air conditioners, heaters and air circulation units bring air in from the outdoors. You want to turn off that function and let the system recirculate indoor air.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Don’t go in and out of the house frequently, so as not to bring in outside air, and don’t burn things inside the house, like candles or incense. Unfortunately there hasn’t been a consistent government standard for testing air filters, but you want to have a filter rated to at least PM 2.5 and from a reputable company. Additionally, said Smith, you’ll want to consider the CADR (clean air delivery rate) of your air filter; a small filter in the corner won’t deliver enough cubic feet of clean air to fill a large room. And you need to replace the filters in the units regularly, both in your furnace, portable air filters and in your car.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you have to be outside, then a mask rated at least N95 can catch many of the particles, if it fits well, said Chinthrajah. Health professionals will even get their masks fitted to make sure there is a good seal that doesn’t let air in. However, over-the-counter masks can fit badly, particularly for small kids or adults with facial hair.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Unless it’s very uncomfortable, it’s not working,” said Smith. Masks also don’t last forever. Particles get trapped in them over time and the masks have to be replaced. Although it depends on the pollution levels, Smith suggested replacing them every few days or over a week at most, in conditions like this.\u003c/p>\n\n",
"stats": {
"hasVideo": false,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"hasAudio": false,
"hasPolis": false,
"wordCount": 1007,
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"paragraphCount": 17
},
"modified": 1704927313,
"excerpt": "Two experts on KQED's Forum program answer questions about smoke, air quality, and how to protect yourself.",
"headData": {
"twImgId": "",
"twTitle": "",
"ogTitle": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twDescription": "",
"description": "Two experts on KQED's Forum program answer questions about smoke, air quality, and how to protect yourself.",
"title": "What You Need to Know About the Bay Area's Current Abysmal Air Quality | KQED",
"ogDescription": "",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "Article",
"headline": "What You Need to Know About the Bay Area's Current Abysmal Air Quality",
"datePublished": "2018-11-15T17:15:30-08:00",
"dateModified": "2024-01-10T14:55:13-08:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png"
}
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "what-you-need-to-know-about-the-bay-areas-current-abysmal-air-quality",
"status": "publish",
"sticky": false,
"path": "/science/1934364/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-bay-areas-current-abysmal-air-quality",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>Since \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11705243/california-wildfires-what-you-need-to-know\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">the Camp Fire\u003c/a> in Butte County blew up a week ago, the Bay Area has been choked with smoke, fouling the air quality throughout the region. As of Thursday afternoon, air quality readings had gotten so bad in San Francisco that it reached “hazardous” levels per EPA standards. Due to the smoke, a number of Bay Area school districts have \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11706584/friday-school-closures-and-restrictions-announced-for-the-bay-area\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">canceled classes on Friday.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Conditions are expected \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1934155/smoke-from-camp-fire-blankets-bay-area\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">to remain smoky at least through the weekend\u003c/a>, stretching the current stint of bad air to nearly two weeks, and leaving many residents wondering how to cope.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003cp>Sharon Chinthrajah, a clinical associate professor in allergy and immunology at Stanford, and Kirk Smith, a professor of global environmental health at UC Berkeley, appeared on \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101868246/wildfire-smoke-air-quality-and-your-health\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">KQED’s Forum program\u003c/a> Wednesday to answer questions about smoke, air quality and the resulting health effects from exposure to toxic particles.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Some key takeaways:\u003c/p>\n\u003ch3>What Exactly is in the Air?\u003c/h3>\n\u003cp>When wildfires burn, they release a range of particles into the air. Wood smoke also contains chemicals like formaldehyde and benzene, especially when fire sweeps through urban areas.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "fullwidth"
},
"numeric": [
"fullwidth"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Most of the ash consists of visible particles, but “really it’s the small particles we worry about,” said Chinthrajah. In “particular,” she means \u003ca href=\"http://www.npi.gov.au/resource/particulate-matter-pm10-and-pm25\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">particles less than 2.5 microns\u003c/a> in diameter. (A micron is 1/1,000,000th of a meter, or .00004 inches. For comparison, a human red blood cell is about five microns across.) When you breathe in particles smaller than 2.5 microns in diameter, they can readily enter your lungs and bloodstream.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch3>Long-term v. Short-term Health Effects\u003c/h3>\n\u003cp>While there are a number of studies that have tracked the long-term effects of breathing in chronic air pollution, said Smith, it’s more difficult to pin down the short-term effects. In the long-term, chronic exposure to small particles has been linked to early morbidity, decreased lung function, and compromised immune cells. \u003ca href=\"https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-10/tl-tlp101817.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">One study\u003c/a> suggested that 6.5 million people die each year prematurely due to poor air quality. In the short-term, however, it’s difficult to pin down what the effects are to those who aren’t already vulnerable to existing heart or lung disease.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch3>How to Keep Track of the Air Quality\u003c/h3>\n\u003cp>There are a number of sites that track air quality, such as \u003ca href=\"https://airnow.gov\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">AirNow.gov\u003c/a>, which uses sensors and data from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, and the privately run \u003ca href=\"https://www.purpleair.com/map?#11/37.7846/-122.3379\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">PurpleAir\u003c/a>, and uses crowd-sourced data from its own network of for-sale air quality sensors. Many of them have been overrun with web traffic, however. You can also use\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1930023/map-heres-your-daily-air-quality-report-for-the-bay-area\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> the KQED air quality map\u003c/a>, which is updated continually with AirNow data.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003cp>All of these sites allow you to type in your zip code and see the AQI, or Air Quality Index number, with a description of what that number means. The AQI is a standard calculation that quantifies both ozone pollution and PM 2.5, or particles 2.5 microns wide. AQI numbers over 100 are considered unhealthy for sensitive groups, over 150 is considered unhealthy even for healthy people, and over 200 is considered hazardous.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>While we are currently experiencing values in the high-100s and low-200s, other parts of the world regularly have AQI numbers higher than that. New Delhi, where Smith lives half of the year, had a 340 AQI when he looked it up before coming on the program. It’s a “\u003ca href=\"https://waqi.info/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">global phenomenon\u003c/a>,” he said, adding for perspective that the worst air-quality days in the Bay Area are probably comparable to the best days in New Delhi.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch3>How to Protect Yourself\u003c/h3>\n\u003cp>Limit your outdoor exposure. Even in a drafty house, the amount of air pollution is less than outdoors, because particles are absorbed partially by walls and don’t penetrate fully. Indoor air in the average house in the U.S., said Smith, is typically 15 percent less polluted than outside.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003cp>However, if you have HEPA-certified air filters running, doors and windows closed, gaps sealed, and the air recirculating inside the house, then you can bring the air pollution levels down to 3-4 times lower than outside, Smith noted. Most air conditioners, heaters and air circulation units bring air in from the outdoors. You want to turn off that function and let the system recirculate indoor air.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Don’t go in and out of the house frequently, so as not to bring in outside air, and don’t burn things inside the house, like candles or incense. Unfortunately there hasn’t been a consistent government standard for testing air filters, but you want to have a filter rated to at least PM 2.5 and from a reputable company. Additionally, said Smith, you’ll want to consider the CADR (clean air delivery rate) of your air filter; a small filter in the corner won’t deliver enough cubic feet of clean air to fill a large room. And you need to replace the filters in the units regularly, both in your furnace, portable air filters and in your car.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you have to be outside, then a mask rated at least N95 can catch many of the particles, if it fits well, said Chinthrajah. Health professionals will even get their masks fitted to make sure there is a good seal that doesn’t let air in. However, over-the-counter masks can fit badly, particularly for small kids or adults with facial hair.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Unless it’s very uncomfortable, it’s not working,” said Smith. Masks also don’t last forever. Particles get trapped in them over time and the masks have to be replaced. Although it depends on the pollution levels, Smith suggested replacing them every few days or over a week at most, in conditions like this.\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
}
],
"link": "/science/1934364/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-bay-areas-current-abysmal-air-quality",
"authors": [
"1459"
],
"categories": [
"science_35",
"science_40",
"science_3730"
],
"tags": [
"science_524",
"science_3820",
"science_3370",
"science_113"
],
"featImg": "science_1934379",
"label": "science"
},
"science_1923255": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "science_1923255",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "science",
"id": "1923255",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1525190433000
]
},
"parent": 0,
"labelTerm": {},
"blocks": [],
"publishDate": 1525190433,
"format": "standard",
"title": "America’s Air Isn’t Getting Cleaner As Fast As It Used To",
"headTitle": "America’s Air Isn’t Getting Cleaner As Fast As It Used To | KQED",
"content": "\u003cp>For decades America’s air was getting cleaner as levels of a key smog ingredient steadily dropped. That changed about seven years ago when pollution reductions leveled off, a new study found.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This means when tighter federal air quality standards go into effect later this year, many more cities may find themselves on the dirty air list.[contextly_sidebar id=”RYNxv0mlJTIEv2M4O3l36lQfhaVqkVb7″]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>There are several reasons for the flattening of nitrogen oxide levels including hard-to-reduce industrial and truck pollution, said study co-author Helen Worden, a scientist at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colorado.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The study, in Monday’s \u003ca href=\"http://www.pnas.org/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Proceedings\u003c/a> of the National Academy of Sciences, used satellite and ground measurements to track nitrogen oxides, a major ingredient in smog. Levels fell 7 percent from 2005 to 2009, but only dropped 1.7 percent from 2011 to 2015.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We can’t say anymore it’s going down,” Worden said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The results also show the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s computer models overestimate how clean the air really is, said University of North Carolina’s Jason West, who wasn’t part of the study.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Smog is created when nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds \u003ca href=\"https://www.epa.gov/ozone-pollution\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">cook\u003c/a> in sunlight. Those chemicals come from cars, trucks, power and industrial plants.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In 2015, the EPA proposed new air quality standards limiting smog levels to 70 parts per billion, down from the current 75 parts per billion. Those rules are slated to go into effect this fall, but that has been delayed once already. More than 170 counties in the United States are already \u003ca href=\"https://www3.epa.gov/airquality/greenbook/ancl.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">exceeding\u003c/a> the older clean air standard for smog, according to the EPA.[contextly_sidebar id=”KX3HNwmQITSI0TC0d02jF0hCXZT9OIQ1″]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Worden and colleagues tried to figure out what was happening, ruling out the flow of the smog ingredient from China since levels in that country went down since it tightened its air quality rules.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>While the 2008 recession may have played a role in the slowdown, Worden said there were other bigger factors at play.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The biggest and easiest pollution reductions have already been achieved, leaving smaller, more difficult cuts, Worden said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>University of Maryland air scientist Ross Salawitch said exposure to elevated ozone can lead to coughing and difficulty breathing, and make respiratory diseases such as asthma worse.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>For Worden, who lived in Los Angeles in the early 2000s when it was smoggier than it is now, she would bicycle to work and check ozone levels daily.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If smog levels were high, “it would really make my lungs burn,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\n",
"stats": {
"hasVideo": false,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"hasAudio": false,
"hasPolis": false,
"wordCount": 442,
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"paragraphCount": 16
},
"modified": 1704927951,
"excerpt": "A new study finds that America’s nitrogen oxides levels, a key ingredient in smog, aren’t falling as fast as they used to and may be leveling off. That means that when tighter new air quality standards go into effect later this fall, more cities may find themselves on the dirty air list.",
"headData": {
"twImgId": "",
"twTitle": "",
"ogTitle": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twDescription": "",
"description": "A new study finds that America’s nitrogen oxides levels, a key ingredient in smog, aren’t falling as fast as they used to and may be leveling off. That means that when tighter new air quality standards go into effect later this fall, more cities may find themselves on the dirty air list.",
"title": "America’s Air Isn’t Getting Cleaner As Fast As It Used To | KQED",
"ogDescription": "",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "Article",
"headline": "America’s Air Isn’t Getting Cleaner As Fast As It Used To",
"datePublished": "2018-05-01T09:00:33-07:00",
"dateModified": "2024-01-10T15:05:51-08:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png"
}
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "americas-air-isnt-getting-cleaner-as-fast-as-it-used-to",
"status": "publish",
"nprByline": "Seth Borenstein\u003cbr />The Associated Press",
"sticky": false,
"source": "Environment",
"path": "/science/1923255/americas-air-isnt-getting-cleaner-as-fast-as-it-used-to",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>For decades America’s air was getting cleaner as levels of a key smog ingredient steadily dropped. That changed about seven years ago when pollution reductions leveled off, a new study found.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This means when tighter federal air quality standards go into effect later this year, many more cities may find themselves on the dirty air list.\u003c/p>\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>There are several reasons for the flattening of nitrogen oxide levels including hard-to-reduce industrial and truck pollution, said study co-author Helen Worden, a scientist at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colorado.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The study, in Monday’s \u003ca href=\"http://www.pnas.org/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Proceedings\u003c/a> of the National Academy of Sciences, used satellite and ground measurements to track nitrogen oxides, a major ingredient in smog. Levels fell 7 percent from 2005 to 2009, but only dropped 1.7 percent from 2011 to 2015.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We can’t say anymore it’s going down,” Worden said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "fullwidth"
},
"numeric": [
"fullwidth"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The results also show the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s computer models overestimate how clean the air really is, said University of North Carolina’s Jason West, who wasn’t part of the study.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Smog is created when nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds \u003ca href=\"https://www.epa.gov/ozone-pollution\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">cook\u003c/a> in sunlight. Those chemicals come from cars, trucks, power and industrial plants.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In 2015, the EPA proposed new air quality standards limiting smog levels to 70 parts per billion, down from the current 75 parts per billion. Those rules are slated to go into effect this fall, but that has been delayed once already. More than 170 counties in the United States are already \u003ca href=\"https://www3.epa.gov/airquality/greenbook/ancl.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">exceeding\u003c/a> the older clean air standard for smog, according to the EPA.\u003c/p>\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Worden and colleagues tried to figure out what was happening, ruling out the flow of the smog ingredient from China since levels in that country went down since it tightened its air quality rules.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>While the 2008 recession may have played a role in the slowdown, Worden said there were other bigger factors at play.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The biggest and easiest pollution reductions have already been achieved, leaving smaller, more difficult cuts, Worden said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>University of Maryland air scientist Ross Salawitch said exposure to elevated ozone can lead to coughing and difficulty breathing, and make respiratory diseases such as asthma worse.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>For Worden, who lived in Los Angeles in the early 2000s when it was smoggier than it is now, she would bicycle to work and check ozone levels daily.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If smog levels were high, “it would really make my lungs burn,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
}
],
"link": "/science/1923255/americas-air-isnt-getting-cleaner-as-fast-as-it-used-to",
"authors": [
"byline_science_1923255"
],
"categories": [
"science_31",
"science_35",
"science_3151",
"science_3424",
"science_40"
],
"tags": [
"science_505",
"science_524",
"science_192",
"science_2080"
],
"featImg": "science_1923257",
"label": "source_science_1923255"
},
"science_24329": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "science_24329",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "science",
"id": "24329",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1417028862000
]
},
"parent": 0,
"labelTerm": {
"site": "science"
},
"blocks": [],
"publishDate": 1417028862,
"format": "aside",
"title": "EPA Proposes New Rules to Curb Ozone Levels",
"headTitle": "EPA Proposes New Rules to Curb Ozone Levels | KQED",
"content": "\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_24330\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 850px\">\u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/science/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2014/11/EPA.jpg\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/science/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2014/11/EPA.jpg\" alt=\"Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)\" width=\"850\" height=\"567\" class=\"size-full wp-image-24330\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>By Krishnadev Calamur\u003c/strong>\u003cbr>\nNPR\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency \u003ca href=\"http://www.epa.gov/glo/\">unveiled new rules today\u003c/a> to reduce emission levels for smog-causing ozone, which is linked to asthma and other health problems.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The draft measure calls for lowering the threshold for ozone from 75 parts per billion to between 65 ppb to 70 ppb. The agency said it would take comments on an ozone level as low as 60 ppb.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Bringing ozone pollution standards in line with the latest science will clean up our air, improve access to crucial air quality information, and protect those most at-risk,” EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy said in a statement. “It empowers the American people with updated air quality information to protect our loved ones — because whether we work or play outdoors — we deserve to know the air we breathe is safe.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The Clean Air Act requires the agency to review standards every five year. The ozone levels were set at 75 ppb in 2008 by President George W. Bush’s administration.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The new rules are likely to draw opposition from industry groups as well as Republicans. Critics say the standards will hurt jobs and adversely affect an economy that is only just recovering from the Great Recession.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Jay Timmons, the president and CEO of the National Association of Manufacturers, \u003ca href=\"http://www.nam.org/Newsroom/Press-Releases/2014/11/New-Ozone-Regulation-Jeopardizes-Manufacturing-Comeback/\">said today\u003c/a> that the proposed rules would jeopardize the manufacturing sector.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“This new standard comes at the same time dozens of other new EPA regulations are being imposed that collectively place increased costs, burdens and delays on manufacturers, threaten our international competitiveness and make it nearly impossible to grow jobs,” Timmons said in a statement. “Before the Obama administration moves the goalposts with yet another set of requirements that will make it more difficult for manufacturers across the country, they need to allow existing ozone standards to be implemented and give time to American businesses to meet those already stringent and onerous requirements.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Rep. Pete Olson, R-Texas, told the \u003ca href=\"http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-epa-ozone-rule-20141126-story.html#page=1\">Los Angeles Times\u003c/a> that the current ozone standard was healthy and the new levels would hurt the economy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The law as it stands now says [the EPA] can’t look at jobs,” Olson told the newspaper. “But if you don’t have jobs, you don’t have healthcare, and that is a public health issue.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The EPA’s McCarthy rejected those claims in an op-ed article on \u003ca href=\"http://money.cnn.com/2014/11/26/news/economy/epa-stronger-ozone-standard/\">CNN.com\u003c/a>. She said states will have until 2020 to 2037 to meet the new standards, depending on how severe the area’s ozone problem is.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Critics play a dangerous game when they denounce the science and law EPA has used to defend clean air for more than 40 years,” she said. “The American people know better.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The rules must be finalized by Oct. 1, 2015.\u003c/p>\n\n",
"stats": {
"hasVideo": false,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"hasAudio": false,
"hasPolis": false,
"wordCount": 495,
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"paragraphCount": 15
},
"modified": 1704932568,
"excerpt": "The EPA says new rules to reduce emissions of smog-causing ozone will improve air quality and reduce pollution linked to asthma and other health problems. Critics say the reduction will cost jobs and hurt the manufacturing sector.",
"headData": {
"twImgId": "",
"twTitle": "",
"ogTitle": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twDescription": "",
"description": "The EPA says new rules to reduce emissions of smog-causing ozone will improve air quality and reduce pollution linked to asthma and other health problems. Critics say the reduction will cost jobs and hurt the manufacturing sector.",
"title": "EPA Proposes New Rules to Curb Ozone Levels | KQED",
"ogDescription": "",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "Article",
"headline": "EPA Proposes New Rules to Curb Ozone Levels",
"datePublished": "2014-11-26T11:07:42-08:00",
"dateModified": "2024-01-10T16:22:48-08:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png"
}
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "epa-proposes-new-rules-to-curb-ozone",
"status": "publish",
"sticky": false,
"path": "/science/24329/epa-proposes-new-rules-to-curb-ozone",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_24330\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 850px\">\u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/science/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2014/11/EPA.jpg\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/science/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2014/11/EPA.jpg\" alt=\"Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)\" width=\"850\" height=\"567\" class=\"size-full wp-image-24330\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>By Krishnadev Calamur\u003c/strong>\u003cbr>\nNPR\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency \u003ca href=\"http://www.epa.gov/glo/\">unveiled new rules today\u003c/a> to reduce emission levels for smog-causing ozone, which is linked to asthma and other health problems.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The draft measure calls for lowering the threshold for ozone from 75 parts per billion to between 65 ppb to 70 ppb. The agency said it would take comments on an ozone level as low as 60 ppb.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Bringing ozone pollution standards in line with the latest science will clean up our air, improve access to crucial air quality information, and protect those most at-risk,” EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy said in a statement. “It empowers the American people with updated air quality information to protect our loved ones — because whether we work or play outdoors — we deserve to know the air we breathe is safe.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The Clean Air Act requires the agency to review standards every five year. The ozone levels were set at 75 ppb in 2008 by President George W. Bush’s administration.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "fullwidth"
},
"numeric": [
"fullwidth"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The new rules are likely to draw opposition from industry groups as well as Republicans. Critics say the standards will hurt jobs and adversely affect an economy that is only just recovering from the Great Recession.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Jay Timmons, the president and CEO of the National Association of Manufacturers, \u003ca href=\"http://www.nam.org/Newsroom/Press-Releases/2014/11/New-Ozone-Regulation-Jeopardizes-Manufacturing-Comeback/\">said today\u003c/a> that the proposed rules would jeopardize the manufacturing sector.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“This new standard comes at the same time dozens of other new EPA regulations are being imposed that collectively place increased costs, burdens and delays on manufacturers, threaten our international competitiveness and make it nearly impossible to grow jobs,” Timmons said in a statement. “Before the Obama administration moves the goalposts with yet another set of requirements that will make it more difficult for manufacturers across the country, they need to allow existing ozone standards to be implemented and give time to American businesses to meet those already stringent and onerous requirements.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Rep. Pete Olson, R-Texas, told the \u003ca href=\"http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-epa-ozone-rule-20141126-story.html#page=1\">Los Angeles Times\u003c/a> that the current ozone standard was healthy and the new levels would hurt the economy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The law as it stands now says [the EPA] can’t look at jobs,” Olson told the newspaper. “But if you don’t have jobs, you don’t have healthcare, and that is a public health issue.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The EPA’s McCarthy rejected those claims in an op-ed article on \u003ca href=\"http://money.cnn.com/2014/11/26/news/economy/epa-stronger-ozone-standard/\">CNN.com\u003c/a>. She said states will have until 2020 to 2037 to meet the new standards, depending on how severe the area’s ozone problem is.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Critics play a dangerous game when they denounce the science and law EPA has used to defend clean air for more than 40 years,” she said. “The American people know better.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The rules must be finalized by Oct. 1, 2015.\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
}
],
"link": "/science/24329/epa-proposes-new-rules-to-curb-ozone",
"authors": [
"6387"
],
"categories": [
"science_35"
],
"tags": [
"science_505",
"science_524",
"science_2080"
],
"featImg": "science_24330",
"label": "science"
},
"science_12461": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "science_12461",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "science",
"id": "12461",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1388422800000
]
},
"parent": 0,
"labelTerm": {
"site": "science"
},
"blocks": [],
"publishDate": 1388422800,
"format": "aside",
"title": "Spare-the-Air Days: How They Make the Call",
"headTitle": "Spare-the-Air Days: How They Make the Call | KQED",
"content": "\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12592\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 640px\">\u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/science/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2013/12/IMG_4424_feature.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12592\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12592\" src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/science/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2013/12/IMG_4424_feature.jpg\" alt=\"Not fog: a passing tanker is barely discernible in the Christmas Day smog surrounding Mt. Tamalpais. (Craig Miller)\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Not fog: a passing tanker is barely discernible in the Christmas Day smog surrounding Mt. Tamalpais. (Craig Miller)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>The Bay Area is on a roll — not one to brag about, however. With at least two streaks in December, one lasting 11 days, this winter looks to shatter the record for the number of \u003ca title=\"BAAQMD - STA\" href=\"http://sparetheair.org/\">Spare-the-Air\u003c/a> days, the longstanding campaign by regional air quality regulators to curb particulate air pollution by restricting wood-burning. Twenty-two are already in the books.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>That’s about double the number of actual days so far with unhealthy air. So how do they know when to “pull the trigger” and ask us to “spare the air”? The process starts with meteorologists at the the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, who look daily at the weather forecast and from that, try to handicap whether the nine-county Bay Area will exceed federal air pollution standards the following day.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Art & Science\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It is a bit of an art and a bit of a science mixed together,” says Kurt Malone, senior meteorologist with the Air District.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Malone and his team look partly at wind and temperatures to judge whether the Environmental Protection Agency’s national standard for particulate air pollution is “likely to be exceeded” here in the Bay Area on the next day. That’s a score above 100 on the EPA’s \u003ca title=\"BAAQMD - AQI\" href=\"http://sparetheair.org/Stay-Informed/Todays-Air-Quality/Air-Quality-Index.aspx\">AQI scale\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In particular, forecasters watch for a temperature inversion, a common wintertime condition when the air hundreds of feet up is warmer than at ground level. “The colder the surface is, the stronger the inversion is going to be,” explains Malone, and that warmer air aloft acts like a lid that locks in pollution. The \u003ca title=\"sfist - post\" href=\"http://sfist.com/2013/12/17/seriously_though_san_franciscos_air.php\">worst days\u003c/a> tend to be during strong inversions.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We look at the strength of the nighttime inversion, which is almost two-thirds of each day during this time year,” says Malone, whose team can then compare conditions to historical data, to see how likely those conditions are to spike pollution the next day.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We keep a running history every winter of what minimum temperatures might lead to what particulate concentration.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>When lower pressure from the Pacific brings breezier conditions to the Bay or the ground warms up from milder temperatures, it tends to break up the inversion and allow pollution to escape into the upper atmosphere. Rain will also wash out the air. Then officials are apt to cancel the air alert.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“But every day in meteorology can be different,” says Malone.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Today’s air quality can also affect tomorrow’s, so forecasters check current air quality against the federal standard of 35 micrograms per cubic meter of tiny airborne particles known as \u003ca title=\"AirNow - PM 2.5\" href=\"http://airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=aqibasics.particle\">PM 2.5\u003c/a>, a reference to their size. At just a fraction the width of a human hair, particles this small are easily inhaled and can make it all the way \u003ca title=\"PNAS - PM 2.5\" href=\"http://www.pnas.org/content/110/22/8756.full\">into the blood stream\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>A .500 Batting Average\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The Air District maintains a network of 32 air quality monitors around the nine-county area. “We can see from our monitoring network what it is today and then extrapolate into the next day,” says Malone.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And how often are they right? Malone says it’s about half the time — but he hastens to add that when they’re wrong, they’re usually not far wrong. “Often times we come just under that national standard,” he says, and adds that in many of those cases, local air quality comes in under the wire because of Spare-the-Air measures taken the previous day.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Air quality also tends to be patchy; it can vary widely around the region. If indications are that just one place will fall below the federal bar, air managers will declare a Spare-the-Air day for the entire region.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Winter alerts are triggered by entirely different concerns than in summer, when the biggest worry is a high level of ground-level ozone, an unhealthy condition driven by car exhaust and hot temperatures.\u003c/p>\n\n",
"stats": {
"hasVideo": false,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"hasAudio": false,
"hasPolis": false,
"wordCount": 697,
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"paragraphCount": 18
},
"modified": 1704934465,
"excerpt": "Making the call a day ahead of time requires a blend of art and science -- and regulators aren't always right.",
"headData": {
"twImgId": "",
"twTitle": "",
"ogTitle": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twDescription": "",
"description": "Making the call a day ahead of time requires a blend of art and science -- and regulators aren't always right.",
"title": "Spare-the-Air Days: How They Make the Call | KQED",
"ogDescription": "",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "Article",
"headline": "Spare-the-Air Days: How They Make the Call",
"datePublished": "2013-12-30T09:00:00-08:00",
"dateModified": "2024-01-10T16:54:25-08:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png"
}
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "spare-the-air-days-how-they-make-the-call",
"status": "publish",
"sticky": false,
"path": "/science/12461/spare-the-air-days-how-they-make-the-call",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12592\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 640px\">\u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/science/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2013/12/IMG_4424_feature.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12592\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12592\" src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/science/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2013/12/IMG_4424_feature.jpg\" alt=\"Not fog: a passing tanker is barely discernible in the Christmas Day smog surrounding Mt. Tamalpais. (Craig Miller)\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Not fog: a passing tanker is barely discernible in the Christmas Day smog surrounding Mt. Tamalpais. (Craig Miller)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>The Bay Area is on a roll — not one to brag about, however. With at least two streaks in December, one lasting 11 days, this winter looks to shatter the record for the number of \u003ca title=\"BAAQMD - STA\" href=\"http://sparetheair.org/\">Spare-the-Air\u003c/a> days, the longstanding campaign by regional air quality regulators to curb particulate air pollution by restricting wood-burning. Twenty-two are already in the books.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>That’s about double the number of actual days so far with unhealthy air. So how do they know when to “pull the trigger” and ask us to “spare the air”? The process starts with meteorologists at the the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, who look daily at the weather forecast and from that, try to handicap whether the nine-county Bay Area will exceed federal air pollution standards the following day.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Art & Science\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It is a bit of an art and a bit of a science mixed together,” says Kurt Malone, senior meteorologist with the Air District.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Malone and his team look partly at wind and temperatures to judge whether the Environmental Protection Agency’s national standard for particulate air pollution is “likely to be exceeded” here in the Bay Area on the next day. That’s a score above 100 on the EPA’s \u003ca title=\"BAAQMD - AQI\" href=\"http://sparetheair.org/Stay-Informed/Todays-Air-Quality/Air-Quality-Index.aspx\">AQI scale\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "fullwidth"
},
"numeric": [
"fullwidth"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In particular, forecasters watch for a temperature inversion, a common wintertime condition when the air hundreds of feet up is warmer than at ground level. “The colder the surface is, the stronger the inversion is going to be,” explains Malone, and that warmer air aloft acts like a lid that locks in pollution. The \u003ca title=\"sfist - post\" href=\"http://sfist.com/2013/12/17/seriously_though_san_franciscos_air.php\">worst days\u003c/a> tend to be during strong inversions.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We look at the strength of the nighttime inversion, which is almost two-thirds of each day during this time year,” says Malone, whose team can then compare conditions to historical data, to see how likely those conditions are to spike pollution the next day.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We keep a running history every winter of what minimum temperatures might lead to what particulate concentration.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>When lower pressure from the Pacific brings breezier conditions to the Bay or the ground warms up from milder temperatures, it tends to break up the inversion and allow pollution to escape into the upper atmosphere. Rain will also wash out the air. Then officials are apt to cancel the air alert.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“But every day in meteorology can be different,” says Malone.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Today’s air quality can also affect tomorrow’s, so forecasters check current air quality against the federal standard of 35 micrograms per cubic meter of tiny airborne particles known as \u003ca title=\"AirNow - PM 2.5\" href=\"http://airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=aqibasics.particle\">PM 2.5\u003c/a>, a reference to their size. At just a fraction the width of a human hair, particles this small are easily inhaled and can make it all the way \u003ca title=\"PNAS - PM 2.5\" href=\"http://www.pnas.org/content/110/22/8756.full\">into the blood stream\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>A .500 Batting Average\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The Air District maintains a network of 32 air quality monitors around the nine-county area. “We can see from our monitoring network what it is today and then extrapolate into the next day,” says Malone.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And how often are they right? Malone says it’s about half the time — but he hastens to add that when they’re wrong, they’re usually not far wrong. “Often times we come just under that national standard,” he says, and adds that in many of those cases, local air quality comes in under the wire because of Spare-the-Air measures taken the previous day.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Air quality also tends to be patchy; it can vary widely around the region. If indications are that just one place will fall below the federal bar, air managers will declare a Spare-the-Air day for the entire region.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Winter alerts are triggered by entirely different concerns than in summer, when the biggest worry is a high level of ground-level ozone, an unhealthy condition driven by car exhaust and hot temperatures.\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
}
],
"link": "/science/12461/spare-the-air-days-how-they-make-the-call",
"authors": [
"221"
],
"categories": [
"science_29",
"science_35",
"science_39",
"science_40"
],
"tags": [
"science_505",
"science_524",
"science_64"
],
"featImg": "science_12592",
"label": "science"
},
"science_11257": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "science_11257",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "science",
"id": "11257",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1385152779000
]
},
"parent": 0,
"labelTerm": {
"site": "science"
},
"blocks": [],
"publishDate": 1385152779,
"format": "aside",
"title": "Rolling Out a 'Clean Diesel' Locomotive",
"headTitle": "Rolling Out a ‘Clean Diesel’ Locomotive | KQED",
"content": "\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11280\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 640px\">\u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/science/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2013/11/IMG_4397_web.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11280\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11280\" src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/science/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2013/11/IMG_4397_web.jpg\" alt=\"Richmond Pacific Railroad's clean-diesel switch engine, the first of its kind in the U.S.\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Richmond Pacific Railroad’s clean-diesel switch engine, the first of its kind in the U.S.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>You gotta start somewhere. In this case, it’s the BNSF switchyard in Richmond, where the \u003ca title=\"RPR - main\" href=\"http://www.levinterminal.com/facilities-and-services/rail-services/\">Richmond Pacific Railroad\u003c/a> is testing the nation’s first “Tier 4” switch engine for certification. Tier 4 is a standard set by the federal Environmental Protection Agency for ultra-low emissions.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The location couldn’t be more appropriate, since Richmond is an industrial town with a major rail hub, a huge oil refinery and with housing right up against it all, a hotspot for air-quality-related health complaints such as asthma.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Even one locomotive can make a big impact in terms of health,” says Damian Breen, who directs “strategic incentives” for the Bay Area Air Quality Management District. The District provided the railroad with a half-million-dollar grant to roll out and test the new switch engine, a smaller locomotive used to shuffle rail cars around in the yard or move them short distances. Breen says the new switcher will eliminate 6,000 tons of emissions per year.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Of course, “clean” is a relative term in the railroad biz. Most locomotives are belching volcanoes of black soot, partly because they’re typically powered by a single, huge diesel engine and spend a lot of their time idling. Instead, the new switcher has a series of smaller engines and generators, optimized by computer controls to call up only as much power as the moment demands.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s really a new design concept,” says Steve Sonni, California rep for the locomotive builder, \u003ca title=\"NRE - main\" href=\"http://www.nationalrailway.com/\">NRE\u003c/a>. He says the combination reduces noise, fuel consumption and stack emissions. “You’re talking 30 to 40 percent for sure,” he says, and adds that it could be 90 percent cleaner than many “legacy” locomotives that have been on the rails for 40 years or more. “I can assure you that there’s hundreds and hundreds, if not thousands of old locomotives that were designed and built in the ’50s and ’60s operating all over the United States,” says Sonni, many without any restrictions on emissions.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11281\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\" style=\"max-width: 400px\">\u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/science/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2013/11/IMG_4400_web.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11281\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11281\" src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/science/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2013/11/IMG_4400_web.jpg\" alt=\"Jeff...\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Jeff Schwab starts up the new ultra-quiet, low-emissions switch locomotive.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Nobody seems more enthused about the new switcher than the guy in the cab. For one thing, “It’s really quiet,” says Jeff Schwab, the railroad’s chief mechanic.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“You have a computer monitoring everything, helping the engineer make decisions,” he notes, such as a kind of traction control, where the computer will redistribute power to wheels to avoid wheels slipping, a common occurrence when switchers are hooked up to heavy loads. “It’s just incredible.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Breen says he also expects to see climate benefits from the new engine, as a major component of diesel exhaust is black carbon, which Breen calls “a major forcer of climate.” Based on recent science, state regulators are recommending a stronger focus on black carbon as a greenhouse gas. Breen expects the switcher to save two metric tons of soot each year, reduce carbon dioxide emissions, and use less fuel overall. But with an estimated 550 switch engines operating in California, there would seem to be a long road ahead.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We are looking to see more of these locomotives deployed by the major railroads,” says Breen, though he concedes that it’s up to them to decide whether to adopt the cleaner engines. The new locomotives will become more widely available in 2015. “We have talked to them quite a bit about reducing risk in these communities,” he added. “We know they are willing to work with us.” At a cost upwards of $1 million for a single locomotive, that can be a tough sell.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp> \u003c/p>\n\n",
"stats": {
"hasVideo": false,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"hasAudio": false,
"hasPolis": false,
"wordCount": 662,
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"paragraphCount": 11
},
"modified": 1704934648,
"excerpt": "\"Clean diesel\" cars are now common on the highways. A new locomotive now takes that concept to the rails--with a few other bells and whistles.",
"headData": {
"twImgId": "",
"twTitle": "",
"ogTitle": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twDescription": "",
"description": ""Clean diesel" cars are now common on the highways. A new locomotive now takes that concept to the rails--with a few other bells and whistles.",
"title": "Rolling Out a 'Clean Diesel' Locomotive | KQED",
"ogDescription": "",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "Article",
"headline": "Rolling Out a 'Clean Diesel' Locomotive",
"datePublished": "2013-11-22T12:39:39-08:00",
"dateModified": "2024-01-10T16:57:28-08:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png"
}
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "rolling-out-a-clean-diesel-locomotive",
"status": "publish",
"sticky": false,
"path": "/science/11257/rolling-out-a-clean-diesel-locomotive",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11280\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 640px\">\u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/science/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2013/11/IMG_4397_web.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11280\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11280\" src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/science/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2013/11/IMG_4397_web.jpg\" alt=\"Richmond Pacific Railroad's clean-diesel switch engine, the first of its kind in the U.S.\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Richmond Pacific Railroad’s clean-diesel switch engine, the first of its kind in the U.S.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>You gotta start somewhere. In this case, it’s the BNSF switchyard in Richmond, where the \u003ca title=\"RPR - main\" href=\"http://www.levinterminal.com/facilities-and-services/rail-services/\">Richmond Pacific Railroad\u003c/a> is testing the nation’s first “Tier 4” switch engine for certification. Tier 4 is a standard set by the federal Environmental Protection Agency for ultra-low emissions.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The location couldn’t be more appropriate, since Richmond is an industrial town with a major rail hub, a huge oil refinery and with housing right up against it all, a hotspot for air-quality-related health complaints such as asthma.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Even one locomotive can make a big impact in terms of health,” says Damian Breen, who directs “strategic incentives” for the Bay Area Air Quality Management District. The District provided the railroad with a half-million-dollar grant to roll out and test the new switch engine, a smaller locomotive used to shuffle rail cars around in the yard or move them short distances. Breen says the new switcher will eliminate 6,000 tons of emissions per year.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Of course, “clean” is a relative term in the railroad biz. Most locomotives are belching volcanoes of black soot, partly because they’re typically powered by a single, huge diesel engine and spend a lot of their time idling. Instead, the new switcher has a series of smaller engines and generators, optimized by computer controls to call up only as much power as the moment demands.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s really a new design concept,” says Steve Sonni, California rep for the locomotive builder, \u003ca title=\"NRE - main\" href=\"http://www.nationalrailway.com/\">NRE\u003c/a>. He says the combination reduces noise, fuel consumption and stack emissions. “You’re talking 30 to 40 percent for sure,” he says, and adds that it could be 90 percent cleaner than many “legacy” locomotives that have been on the rails for 40 years or more. “I can assure you that there’s hundreds and hundreds, if not thousands of old locomotives that were designed and built in the ’50s and ’60s operating all over the United States,” says Sonni, many without any restrictions on emissions.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11281\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\" style=\"max-width: 400px\">\u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/science/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2013/11/IMG_4400_web.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11281\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11281\" src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/science/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2013/11/IMG_4400_web.jpg\" alt=\"Jeff...\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Jeff Schwab starts up the new ultra-quiet, low-emissions switch locomotive.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Nobody seems more enthused about the new switcher than the guy in the cab. For one thing, “It’s really quiet,” says Jeff Schwab, the railroad’s chief mechanic.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "fullwidth"
},
"numeric": [
"fullwidth"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“You have a computer monitoring everything, helping the engineer make decisions,” he notes, such as a kind of traction control, where the computer will redistribute power to wheels to avoid wheels slipping, a common occurrence when switchers are hooked up to heavy loads. “It’s just incredible.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Breen says he also expects to see climate benefits from the new engine, as a major component of diesel exhaust is black carbon, which Breen calls “a major forcer of climate.” Based on recent science, state regulators are recommending a stronger focus on black carbon as a greenhouse gas. Breen expects the switcher to save two metric tons of soot each year, reduce carbon dioxide emissions, and use less fuel overall. But with an estimated 550 switch engines operating in California, there would seem to be a long road ahead.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We are looking to see more of these locomotives deployed by the major railroads,” says Breen, though he concedes that it’s up to them to decide whether to adopt the cleaner engines. The new locomotives will become more widely available in 2015. “We have talked to them quite a bit about reducing risk in these communities,” he added. “We know they are willing to work with us.” At a cost upwards of $1 million for a single locomotive, that can be a tough sell.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp> \u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
}
],
"link": "/science/11257/rolling-out-a-clean-diesel-locomotive",
"authors": [
"221"
],
"categories": [
"science_31",
"science_33",
"science_89",
"science_35",
"science_39",
"science_40"
],
"tags": [
"science_524",
"science_354",
"science_450"
],
"featImg": "science_11280",
"label": "science"
},
"science_7564": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "science_7564",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "science",
"id": "7564",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1377566767000
]
},
"parent": 0,
"labelTerm": {
"site": "science"
},
"blocks": [],
"publishDate": 1377566767,
"format": "aside",
"title": "Wildfires a Growing Air Quality Issue",
"headTitle": "Wildfires a Growing Air Quality Issue | KQED",
"content": "\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_7566\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 640px\">\u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/science/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2013/08/1_mobile_ynp_1-1344_rimfire-e1377565966237.jpeg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-7566\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-7566\" src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/science/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2013/08/1_mobile_ynp_1-1344_rimfire-e1377565966237.jpeg\" alt=\"Smoke plume from the Rim Fire, as it intensified last week. Photo: USFS\" width=\"640\" height=\"358\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Smoke plume from the Rim Fire, as it intensified last week. Photo: USFS\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Where there’s fire, there’s smoke. And when the fire is more than 200 square miles and growing like California’s Rim Fire, \u003ca title=\"NewsFix - post\" href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/news/2013/08/23/rim-fire-update-smoke-spreads-from/\">there’s a lot of it\u003c/a>. And in that smoke is quite the witch’s brew of air pollutants.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca title=\"NCAR - Pfister\" href=\"https://www2.ucar.edu/news/experts/gabriele-pfister\">Gabriele Pfister\u003c/a> runs down just some of the list: “You have carbon monoxide, you have mercury, you have nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide.” Pfister studies the air quality impacts of wildfires, at the \u003ca title=\"NCAR - main\" href=\"http://ncar.ucar.edu/\">National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR)\u003c/a>. And then of course, you have all kinds of particulate matter, which is what we tend to notice — the large particles that we see and smell and commonly think of as smoke. But Pfister says, “Size matters.” The human body is fairly efficient at filtering the big stuff, by coughing or sneezing it out. It’s the smaller stuff that’s more insidious.\u003c/p>\n\u003caside class=\"pullquote alignleft\">“This is not just a local issue.”\u003c/aside>\n\u003cp>“The smaller they get, the more likely you breathe them in,” says Pfister, “deeper into our lungs and all the way into the bloodstream they can go.” That, she says, can contribute to respiratory and heart ailments later on.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And \u003ca title=\"NCAR - post\" href=\"http://www.ucar.edu/news/releases/2005/wildfires.shtml\">these things get around\u003c/a>. Pfister says the pollutants can rise six miles into the air and there, driven by high winds in the upper atmosphere, can end up contributing to air pollution hundreds of miles away. “It’s not infrequent that we here in Colorado see smoke from wildfires in California,” she noted. “This is not just a local issue.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>On the contrary, it’s “global” in the literal sense when you account for the greenhouse gases, which include carbon dioxide, water vapor, methane, and black carbon, though fires remain a relatively small contributor to global warming, compared to the more intentional burning of fossil fuels. And Pfister notes, perhaps searching for something positive in all this, that at least when the forest grows back, it will resume siphoning CO2 out of the atmosphere and storing it again. And she adds that some of the particle emissions, or aerosols, tend to “scatter sunlight” and create at least a short-term cooling effect.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Given the generally accepted forecast of more intense fires driven by climate disruption, however, Pfister expects wildfires to become a larger share of the overall air pollution problem.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As for calculating exactly how much gunk is going up there, Pfister says that gets complicated. She says part of the problem is in how you define “smoke,” and when it’s heavy enough to constitute a plume. “Then it depends on how big the fire is, how much biomass is burned, how active is the fire (is it flaming and strongly convective, is it laying down and smoldering), how fast and slow the winds move the smoke,” and so on.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Larger “fallout” can cause different types of problems. Early this week, officials were grappling with how to respond to the ash raining down on San Francisco’s Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, near the fire’s eastern front in Yosemite. The fast-growing blaze posed potential problems for both the water supply and hydropower output. Monday, city power officials had idled two of the dam’s three hydropower units as the fire advanced.\u003c/p>\n\n",
"stats": {
"hasVideo": false,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"hasAudio": false,
"hasPolis": false,
"wordCount": 586,
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"paragraphCount": 10
},
"modified": 1704935185,
"excerpt": "Major wildfires like California's Rim Fire, near Yosemite, are also long-distance air polluters.",
"headData": {
"twImgId": "",
"twTitle": "",
"ogTitle": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twDescription": "",
"description": "Major wildfires like California's Rim Fire, near Yosemite, are also long-distance air polluters.",
"title": "Wildfires a Growing Air Quality Issue | KQED",
"ogDescription": "",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "Article",
"headline": "Wildfires a Growing Air Quality Issue",
"datePublished": "2013-08-26T18:26:07-07:00",
"dateModified": "2024-01-10T17:06:25-08:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png"
}
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "wildfires-a-growing-air-quality-issue",
"status": "publish",
"sticky": false,
"path": "/science/7564/wildfires-a-growing-air-quality-issue",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_7566\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 640px\">\u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/science/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2013/08/1_mobile_ynp_1-1344_rimfire-e1377565966237.jpeg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-7566\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-7566\" src=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/science/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2013/08/1_mobile_ynp_1-1344_rimfire-e1377565966237.jpeg\" alt=\"Smoke plume from the Rim Fire, as it intensified last week. Photo: USFS\" width=\"640\" height=\"358\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Smoke plume from the Rim Fire, as it intensified last week. Photo: USFS\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Where there’s fire, there’s smoke. And when the fire is more than 200 square miles and growing like California’s Rim Fire, \u003ca title=\"NewsFix - post\" href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/news/2013/08/23/rim-fire-update-smoke-spreads-from/\">there’s a lot of it\u003c/a>. And in that smoke is quite the witch’s brew of air pollutants.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca title=\"NCAR - Pfister\" href=\"https://www2.ucar.edu/news/experts/gabriele-pfister\">Gabriele Pfister\u003c/a> runs down just some of the list: “You have carbon monoxide, you have mercury, you have nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide.” Pfister studies the air quality impacts of wildfires, at the \u003ca title=\"NCAR - main\" href=\"http://ncar.ucar.edu/\">National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR)\u003c/a>. And then of course, you have all kinds of particulate matter, which is what we tend to notice — the large particles that we see and smell and commonly think of as smoke. But Pfister says, “Size matters.” The human body is fairly efficient at filtering the big stuff, by coughing or sneezing it out. It’s the smaller stuff that’s more insidious.\u003c/p>\n\u003caside class=\"pullquote alignleft\">“This is not just a local issue.”\u003c/aside>\n\u003cp>“The smaller they get, the more likely you breathe them in,” says Pfister, “deeper into our lungs and all the way into the bloodstream they can go.” That, she says, can contribute to respiratory and heart ailments later on.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And \u003ca title=\"NCAR - post\" href=\"http://www.ucar.edu/news/releases/2005/wildfires.shtml\">these things get around\u003c/a>. Pfister says the pollutants can rise six miles into the air and there, driven by high winds in the upper atmosphere, can end up contributing to air pollution hundreds of miles away. “It’s not infrequent that we here in Colorado see smoke from wildfires in California,” she noted. “This is not just a local issue.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>On the contrary, it’s “global” in the literal sense when you account for the greenhouse gases, which include carbon dioxide, water vapor, methane, and black carbon, though fires remain a relatively small contributor to global warming, compared to the more intentional burning of fossil fuels. And Pfister notes, perhaps searching for something positive in all this, that at least when the forest grows back, it will resume siphoning CO2 out of the atmosphere and storing it again. And she adds that some of the particle emissions, or aerosols, tend to “scatter sunlight” and create at least a short-term cooling effect.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "fullwidth"
},
"numeric": [
"fullwidth"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Given the generally accepted forecast of more intense fires driven by climate disruption, however, Pfister expects wildfires to become a larger share of the overall air pollution problem.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As for calculating exactly how much gunk is going up there, Pfister says that gets complicated. She says part of the problem is in how you define “smoke,” and when it’s heavy enough to constitute a plume. “Then it depends on how big the fire is, how much biomass is burned, how active is the fire (is it flaming and strongly convective, is it laying down and smoldering), how fast and slow the winds move the smoke,” and so on.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Larger “fallout” can cause different types of problems. Early this week, officials were grappling with how to respond to the ash raining down on San Francisco’s Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, near the fire’s eastern front in Yosemite. The fast-growing blaze posed potential problems for both the water supply and hydropower output. Monday, city power officials had idled two of the dam’s three hydropower units as the fire advanced.\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
}
],
"link": "/science/7564/wildfires-a-growing-air-quality-issue",
"authors": [
"221"
],
"categories": [
"science_29",
"science_31",
"science_35",
"science_39"
],
"tags": [
"science_505",
"science_524",
"science_113"
],
"featImg": "science_7566",
"label": "science"
}
},
"podcastsReducer": {
"isFetching": false,
"fetchFailed": false,
"hasFetched": false,
"podcasts": {}
},
"radioProgramsReducer": {
"isFetching": false,
"fetchFailed": false,
"hasFetched": false,
"radioPrograms": {}
},
"programsReducer": {
"all-things-considered": {
"id": "all-things-considered",
"title": "All Things Considered",
"info": "Every weekday, \u003cem>All Things Considered\u003c/em> hosts Robert Siegel, Audie Cornish, Ari Shapiro, and Kelly McEvers present the program's trademark mix of news, interviews, commentaries, reviews, and offbeat features. Michel Martin hosts on the weekends.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 1pm-2pm, 4:30pm-6:30pm\u003cbr />SAT-SUN 5pm-6pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/All-Things-Considered-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/programs/all-things-considered/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/all-things-considered"
},
"american-suburb-podcast": {
"id": "american-suburb-podcast",
"title": "American Suburb: The Podcast",
"tagline": "The flip side of gentrification, told through one town",
"info": "Gentrification is changing cities across America, forcing people from neighborhoods they have long called home. Call them the displaced. Now those priced out of the Bay Area are looking for a better life in an unlikely place. American Suburb follows this migration to one California town along the Delta, 45 miles from San Francisco. But is this once sleepy suburb ready for them?",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/American-Suburb-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/news/series/american-suburb-podcast",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 19
},
"link": "/news/series/american-suburb-podcast/",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://rpb3r.app.goo.gl/RBrW",
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?mt=2&id=1287748328",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/American-Suburb-p1086805/",
"rss": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/series/american-suburb-podcast/feed/podcast",
"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vS1FJTkMzMDExODgxNjA5"
}
},
"baycurious": {
"id": "baycurious",
"title": "Bay Curious",
"tagline": "Exploring the Bay Area, one question at a time",
"info": "KQED’s new podcast, Bay Curious, gets to the bottom of the mysteries — both profound and peculiar — that give the Bay Area its unique identity. And we’ll do it with your help! You ask the questions. You decide what Bay Curious investigates. And you join us on the journey to find the answers.",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Bay-Curious-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Bay Curious",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/news/series/baycurious",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 3
},
"link": "/podcasts/baycurious",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bay-curious/id1172473406",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/500557090/bay-curious",
"rss": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/category/bay-curious-podcast/feed/podcast",
"amazon": "https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9a90d476-aa04-455d-9a4c-0871ed6216d4/bay-curious",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqed/bay-curious",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/6O76IdmhixfijmhTZLIJ8k"
}
},
"bbc-world-service": {
"id": "bbc-world-service",
"title": "BBC World Service",
"info": "The day's top stories from BBC News compiled twice daily in the week, once at weekends.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 9pm-10pm, TUE-FRI 1am-2am",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/BBC-World-Service-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/live:bbc_world_service",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "BBC World Service"
},
"link": "/radio/program/bbc-world-service",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/global-news-podcast/id135067274?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/BBC-World-Service-p455581/",
"rss": "https://podcasts.files.bbci.co.uk/p02nq0gn.rss"
}
},
"californiareport": {
"id": "californiareport",
"title": "The California Report",
"tagline": "California, day by day",
"info": "KQED’s statewide radio news program providing daily coverage of issues, trends and public policy decisions.",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-California-Report-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED The California Report",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/californiareport",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 8
},
"link": "/californiareport",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kqeds-the-california-report/id79681292",
"amazon": "https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/26099305-72af-4542-9dde-ac1807fe36d5/kqed-s-the-california-report",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/432285393/the-california-report",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqedfm-kqeds-the-california-report-podcast-8838",
"rss": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/tag/tcram/feed/podcast"
}
},
"californiareportmagazine": {
"id": "californiareportmagazine",
"title": "The California Report Magazine",
"tagline": "Your state, your stories",
"info": "Every week, The California Report Magazine takes you on a road trip for the ears: to visit the places and meet the people who make California unique. The in-depth storytelling podcast from the California Report.",
"airtime": "FRI 4:30pm-5pm, 6:30pm-7pm, 11pm-11:30pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-California-Report-Magazine-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED The California Report Magazine",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/californiareportmagazine",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 10
},
"link": "/californiareportmagazine",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-california-report-magazine/id1314750545",
"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vS1FJTkM3NjkwNjk1OTAz",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/564733126/the-california-report-magazine",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqed/the-california-report-magazine",
"rss": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/tag/tcrmag/feed/podcast"
}
},
"city-arts": {
"id": "city-arts",
"title": "City Arts & Lectures",
"info": "A one-hour radio program to hear celebrated writers, artists and thinkers address contemporary ideas and values, often discussing the creative process. Please note: tapes or transcripts are not available",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/05/cityartsandlecture-300x300.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.cityarts.net/",
"airtime": "SUN 1pm-2pm, TUE 10pm, WED 1am",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "City Arts & Lectures"
},
"link": "https://www.cityarts.net",
"subscribe": {
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/City-Arts-and-Lectures-p692/",
"rss": "https://www.cityarts.net/feed/"
}
},
"closealltabs": {
"id": "closealltabs",
"title": "Close All Tabs",
"tagline": "Your irreverent guide to the trends redefining our world",
"info": "Close All Tabs breaks down how digital culture shapes our world through thoughtful insights and irreverent humor.",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/CAT_2_Tile-scaled.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Close All Tabs",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/closealltabs",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 1
},
"link": "/podcasts/closealltabs",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/close-all-tabs/id214663465",
"rss": "https://feeds.megaphone.fm/KQINC6993880386",
"amazon": "https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/92d9d4ac-67a3-4eed-b10a-fb45d45b1ef2/close-all-tabs",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/6LAJFHnGK1pYXYzv6SIol6?si=deb0cae19813417c"
}
},
"code-switch-life-kit": {
"id": "code-switch-life-kit",
"title": "Code Switch / Life Kit",
"info": "\u003cem>Code Switch\u003c/em>, which listeners will hear in the first part of the hour, has fearless and much-needed conversations about race. Hosted by journalists of color, the show tackles the subject of race head-on, exploring how it impacts every part of society — from politics and pop culture to history, sports and more.\u003cbr />\u003cbr />\u003cem>Life Kit\u003c/em>, which will be in the second part of the hour, guides you through spaces and feelings no one prepares you for — from finances to mental health, from workplace microaggressions to imposter syndrome, from relationships to parenting. The show features experts with real world experience and shares their knowledge. Because everyone needs a little help being human.\u003cbr />\u003cbr />\u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510312/codeswitch\">\u003cem>Code Switch\u003c/em> offical site and podcast\u003c/a>\u003cbr />\u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/lifekit\">\u003cem>Life Kit\u003c/em> offical site and podcast\u003c/a>\u003cbr />",
"airtime": "SUN 9pm-10pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Code-Switch-Life-Kit-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"meta": {
"site": "radio",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/code-switch-life-kit",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/1112190608?mt=2&at=11l79Y&ct=nprdirectory",
"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnByLm9yZy9yc3MvcG9kY2FzdC5waHA_aWQ9NTEwMzEy",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/3bExJ9JQpkwNhoHvaIIuyV",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/510312/podcast.xml"
}
},
"commonwealth-club": {
"id": "commonwealth-club",
"title": "Commonwealth Club of California Podcast",
"info": "The Commonwealth Club of California is the nation's oldest and largest public affairs forum. As a non-partisan forum, The Club brings to the public airwaves diverse viewpoints on important topics. The Club's weekly radio broadcast - the oldest in the U.S., dating back to 1924 - is carried across the nation on public radio stations and is now podcasting. Our website archive features audio of our recent programs, as well as selected speeches from our long and distinguished history. This podcast feed is usually updated twice a week and is always un-edited.",
"airtime": "THU 10pm, FRI 1am",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Commonwealth-Club-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.commonwealthclub.org/podcasts",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "Commonwealth Club of California"
},
"link": "/radio/program/commonwealth-club",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/commonwealth-club-of-california-podcast/id976334034?mt=2",
"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cDovL3d3dy5jb21tb253ZWFsdGhjbHViLm9yZy9hdWRpby9wb2RjYXN0L3dlZWtseS54bWw",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/Commonwealth-Club-of-California-p1060/"
}
},
"forum": {
"id": "forum",
"title": "Forum",
"tagline": "The conversation starts here",
"info": "KQED’s live call-in program discussing local, state, national and international issues, as well as in-depth interviews.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 9am-11am, 10pm-11pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Forum-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Forum with Mina Kim and Alexis Madrigal",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/forum",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 9
},
"link": "/forum",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kqeds-forum/id73329719",
"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vS1FJTkM5NTU3MzgxNjMz",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/432307980/forum",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqedfm-kqeds-forum-podcast",
"rss": "https://feeds.megaphone.fm/KQINC9557381633"
}
},
"freakonomics-radio": {
"id": "freakonomics-radio",
"title": "Freakonomics Radio",
"info": "Freakonomics Radio is a one-hour award-winning podcast and public-radio project hosted by Stephen Dubner, with co-author Steve Levitt as a regular guest. It is produced in partnership with WNYC.",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/05/freakonomicsRadio.png",
"officialWebsiteLink": "http://freakonomics.com/",
"airtime": "SUN 1am-2am, SAT 3pm-4pm",
"meta": {
"site": "radio",
"source": "WNYC"
},
"link": "/radio/program/freakonomics-radio",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://rpb3r.app.goo.gl/4s8b",
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/freakonomics-radio/id354668519",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/podcasts/WNYC-Podcasts/Freakonomics-Radio-p272293/",
"rss": "https://feeds.feedburner.com/freakonomicsradio"
}
},
"fresh-air": {
"id": "fresh-air",
"title": "Fresh Air",
"info": "Hosted by Terry Gross, \u003cem>Fresh Air from WHYY\u003c/em> is the Peabody Award-winning weekday magazine of contemporary arts and issues. One of public radio's most popular programs, Fresh Air features intimate conversations with today's biggest luminaries.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 7pm-8pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Fresh-Air-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/programs/fresh-air/",
"meta": {
"site": "radio",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/fresh-air",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://rpb3r.app.goo.gl/4s8b",
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?s=143441&mt=2&id=214089682&at=11l79Y&ct=nprdirectory",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/Fresh-Air-p17/",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/381444908/podcast.xml"
}
},
"here-and-now": {
"id": "here-and-now",
"title": "Here & Now",
"info": "A live production of NPR and WBUR Boston, in collaboration with stations across the country, Here & Now reflects the fluid world of news as it's happening in the middle of the day, with timely, in-depth news, interviews and conversation. Hosted by Robin Young, Jeremy Hobson and Tonya Mosley.",
"airtime": "MON-THU 11am-12pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Here-And-Now-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "http://www.wbur.org/hereandnow",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/here-and-now",
"subsdcribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?mt=2&id=426698661",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/Here--Now-p211/",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/510051/podcast.xml"
}
},
"hidden-brain": {
"id": "hidden-brain",
"title": "Hidden Brain",
"info": "Shankar Vedantam uses science and storytelling to reveal the unconscious patterns that drive human behavior, shape our choices and direct our relationships.",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/05/hiddenbrain.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/series/423302056/hidden-brain",
"airtime": "SUN 7pm-8pm",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "NPR"
},
"link": "/radio/program/hidden-brain",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/hidden-brain/id1028908750?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/podcasts/Science-Podcasts/Hidden-Brain-p787503/",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/510308/podcast.xml"
}
},
"how-i-built-this": {
"id": "how-i-built-this",
"title": "How I Built This with Guy Raz",
"info": "Guy Raz dives into the stories behind some of the world's best known companies. How I Built This weaves a narrative journey about innovators, entrepreneurs and idealists—and the movements they built.",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/05/howIBuiltThis.png",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510313/how-i-built-this",
"airtime": "SUN 7:30pm-8pm",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/how-i-built-this",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://rpb3r.app.goo.gl/3zxy",
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/how-i-built-this-with-guy-raz/id1150510297?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/podcasts/Arts--Culture-Podcasts/How-I-Built-This-p910896/",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/510313/podcast.xml"
}
},
"hyphenacion": {
"id": "hyphenacion",
"title": "Hyphenación",
"tagline": "Where conversation and cultura meet",
"info": "What kind of no sabo word is Hyphenación? For us, it’s about living within a hyphenation. Like being a third-gen Mexican-American from the Texas border now living that Bay Area Chicano life. Like Xorje! Each week we bring together a couple of hyphenated Latinos to talk all about personal life choices: family, careers, relationships, belonging … everything is on the table. ",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Hyphenacion_FinalAssets_PodcastTile.png",
"imageAlt": "KQED Hyphenación",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/hyphenacion",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 15
},
"link": "/podcasts/hyphenacion",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hyphenaci%C3%B3n/id1191591838",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/2p3Fifq96nw9BPcmFdIq0o?si=39209f7b25774f38",
"youtube": "https://www.youtube.com/c/kqedarts",
"amazon": "https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/6c3dd23c-93fb-4aab-97ba-1725fa6315f1/hyphenaci%C3%B3n",
"rss": "https://feeds.megaphone.fm/KQINC2275451163"
}
},
"jerrybrown": {
"id": "jerrybrown",
"title": "The Political Mind of Jerry Brown",
"tagline": "Lessons from a lifetime in politics",
"info": "The Political Mind of Jerry Brown brings listeners the wisdom of the former Governor, Mayor, and presidential candidate. Scott Shafer interviewed Brown for more than 40 hours, covering the former governor's life and half-century in the political game – and Brown has some lessons he'd like to share. ",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-Political-Mind-of-Jerry-Brown-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED The Political Mind of Jerry Brown",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/jerrybrown",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 18
},
"link": "/podcasts/jerrybrown",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/790253322/the-political-mind-of-jerry-brown",
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/id1492194549",
"rss": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/series/jerrybrown/feed/podcast/",
"tuneIn": "http://tun.in/pjGcK",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqed/the-political-mind-of-jerry-brown",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/54C1dmuyFyKMFttY6X2j6r?si=K8SgRCoISNK6ZbjpXrX5-w",
"amazon": "https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/44420f75-3b0e-4301-ab3b-16da6b09e543/the-political-mind-of-jerry-brown"
}
},
"latino-usa": {
"id": "latino-usa",
"title": "Latino USA",
"airtime": "MON 1am-2am, SUN 6pm-7pm",
"info": "Latino USA, the radio journal of news and culture, is the only national, English-language radio program produced from a Latino perspective.",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/latinoUsa.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "http://latinousa.org/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/latino-usa",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://rpb3r.app.goo.gl/xtTd",
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?s=143441&mt=2&id=79681317&at=11l79Y&ct=nprdirectory",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/Latino-USA-p621/",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/510016/podcast.xml"
}
},
"marketplace": {
"id": "marketplace",
"title": "Marketplace",
"info": "Our flagship program, helmed by Kai Ryssdal, examines what the day in money delivered, through stories, conversations, newsworthy numbers and more. Updated Monday through Friday at about 3:30 p.m. PT.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 4pm-4:30pm, MON-WED 6:30pm-7pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Marketplace-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.marketplace.org/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "American Public Media"
},
"link": "/radio/program/marketplace",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?s=143441&mt=2&id=201853034&at=11l79Y&ct=nprdirectory",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/APM-Marketplace-p88/",
"rss": "https://feeds.publicradio.org/public_feeds/marketplace-pm/rss/rss"
}
},
"masters-of-scale": {
"id": "masters-of-scale",
"title": "Masters of Scale",
"info": "Masters of Scale is an original podcast in which LinkedIn co-founder and Greylock Partner Reid Hoffman sets out to describe and prove theories that explain how great entrepreneurs take their companies from zero to a gazillion in ingenious fashion.",
"airtime": "Every other Wednesday June 12 through October 16 at 8pm (repeats Thursdays at 2am)",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Masters-of-Scale-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://mastersofscale.com/",
"meta": {
"site": "radio",
"source": "WaitWhat"
},
"link": "/radio/program/masters-of-scale",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "http://mastersofscale.app.link/",
"rss": "https://rss.art19.com/masters-of-scale"
}
},
"mindshift": {
"id": "mindshift",
"title": "MindShift",
"tagline": "A podcast about the future of learning and how we raise our kids",
"info": "The MindShift podcast explores the innovations in education that are shaping how kids learn. Hosts Ki Sung and Katrina Schwartz introduce listeners to educators, researchers, parents and students who are developing effective ways to improve how kids learn. We cover topics like how fed-up administrators are developing surprising tactics to deal with classroom disruptions; how listening to podcasts are helping kids develop reading skills; the consequences of overparenting; and why interdisciplinary learning can engage students on all ends of the traditional achievement spectrum. This podcast is part of the MindShift education site, a division of KQED News. KQED is an NPR/PBS member station based in San Francisco. You can also visit the MindShift website for episodes and supplemental blog posts or tweet us \u003ca href=\"https://twitter.com/MindShiftKQED\">@MindShiftKQED\u003c/a> or visit us at \u003ca href=\"/mindshift\">MindShift.KQED.org\u003c/a>",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Mindshift-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED MindShift: How We Will Learn",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/mindshift/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 12
},
"link": "/podcasts/mindshift",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mindshift-podcast/id1078765985",
"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vS1FJTkM1NzY0NjAwNDI5",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/464615685/mind-shift-podcast",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqed/stories-teachers-share",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/0MxSpNYZKNprFLCl7eEtyx"
}
},
"morning-edition": {
"id": "morning-edition",
"title": "Morning Edition",
"info": "\u003cem>Morning Edition\u003c/em> takes listeners around the country and the world with multi-faceted stories and commentaries every weekday. Hosts Steve Inskeep, David Greene and Rachel Martin bring you the latest breaking news and features to prepare you for the day.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 3am-9am",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Morning-Edition-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/programs/morning-edition/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/morning-edition"
},
"onourwatch": {
"id": "onourwatch",
"title": "On Our Watch",
"tagline": "Deeply-reported investigative journalism",
"info": "For decades, the process for how police police themselves has been inconsistent – if not opaque. In some states, like California, these proceedings were completely hidden. After a new police transparency law unsealed scores of internal affairs files, our reporters set out to examine these cases and the shadow world of police discipline. On Our Watch brings listeners into the rooms where officers are questioned and witnesses are interrogated to find out who this system is really protecting. Is it the officers, or the public they've sworn to serve?",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/On-Our-Watch-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "On Our Watch from NPR and KQED",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/onourwatch",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 11
},
"link": "/podcasts/onourwatch",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1567098962",
"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5ucHIub3JnLzUxMDM2MC9wb2RjYXN0LnhtbD9zYz1nb29nbGVwb2RjYXN0cw",
"npr": "https://rpb3r.app.goo.gl/onourwatch",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/0OLWoyizopu6tY1XiuX70x",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/On-Our-Watch-p1436229/",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/show/on-our-watch",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/510360/podcast.xml"
}
},
"on-the-media": {
"id": "on-the-media",
"title": "On The Media",
"info": "Our weekly podcast explores how the media 'sausage' is made, casts an incisive eye on fluctuations in the marketplace of ideas, and examines threats to the freedom of information and expression in America and abroad. For one hour a week, the show tries to lift the veil from the process of \"making media,\" especially news media, because it's through that lens that we see the world and the world sees us",
"airtime": "SUN 2pm-3pm, MON 12am-1am",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/onTheMedia.png",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.wnycstudios.org/shows/otm",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "wnyc"
},
"link": "/radio/program/on-the-media",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/on-the-media/id73330715?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/On-the-Media-p69/",
"rss": "http://feeds.wnyc.org/onthemedia"
}
},
"pbs-newshour": {
"id": "pbs-newshour",
"title": "PBS NewsHour",
"info": "Analysis, background reports and updates from the PBS NewsHour putting today's news in context.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 3pm-4pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/PBS-News-Hour-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.pbs.org/newshour/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "pbs"
},
"link": "/radio/program/pbs-newshour",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/pbs-newshour-full-show/id394432287?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/PBS-NewsHour---Full-Show-p425698/",
"rss": "https://www.pbs.org/newshour/feeds/rss/podcasts/show"
}
},
"perspectives": {
"id": "perspectives",
"title": "Perspectives",
"tagline": "KQED's series of daily listener commentaries since 1991",
"info": "KQED's series of daily listener commentaries since 1991.",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Perspectives_Tile_Final.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Perspectives",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/perspectives/",
"meta": {
"site": "radio",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 14
},
"link": "/perspectives",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id73801135",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/432309616/perspectives",
"rss": "https://ww2.kqed.org/perspectives/category/perspectives/feed/",
"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93dzIua3FlZC5vcmcvcGVyc3BlY3RpdmVzL2NhdGVnb3J5L3BlcnNwZWN0aXZlcy9mZWVkLw"
}
},
"planet-money": {
"id": "planet-money",
"title": "Planet Money",
"info": "The economy explained. Imagine you could call up a friend and say, Meet me at the bar and tell me what's going on with the economy. Now imagine that's actually a fun evening.",
"airtime": "SUN 3pm-4pm",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/planetmoney.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/sections/money/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/planet-money",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://rpb3r.app.goo.gl/M4f5",
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/planet-money/id290783428?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/podcasts/Business--Economics-Podcasts/Planet-Money-p164680/",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/510289/podcast.xml"
}
},
"politicalbreakdown": {
"id": "politicalbreakdown",
"title": "Political Breakdown",
"tagline": "Politics from a personal perspective",
"info": "Political Breakdown is a new series that explores the political intersection of California and the nation. Each week hosts Scott Shafer and Marisa Lagos are joined with a new special guest to unpack politics -- with personality — and offer an insider’s glimpse at how politics happens.",
"airtime": "THU 6:30pm-7pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Political-Breakdown-2024-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Political Breakdown",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/politicalbreakdown",
"meta": {
"site": "radio",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 5
},
"link": "/podcasts/politicalbreakdown",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/political-breakdown/id1327641087",
"amazon": "https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/e0c2d153-ad36-4c8d-901d-f1da6a724824/political-breakdown",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/572155894/political-breakdown",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqed/political-breakdown",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/07RVyIjIdk2WDuVehvBMoN",
"rss": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/tag/political-breakdown/feed/podcast"
}
},
"possible": {
"id": "possible",
"title": "Possible",
"info": "Possible is hosted by entrepreneur Reid Hoffman and writer Aria Finger. Together in Possible, Hoffman and Finger lead enlightening discussions about building a brighter collective future. The show features interviews with visionary guests like Trevor Noah, Sam Altman and Janette Sadik-Khan. Possible paints an optimistic portrait of the world we can create through science, policy, business, art and our shared humanity. It asks: What if everything goes right for once? How can we get there? Each episode also includes a short fiction story generated by advanced AI GPT-4, serving as a thought-provoking springboard to speculate how humanity could leverage technology for good.",
"airtime": "SUN 2pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Possible-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.possible.fm/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "Possible"
},
"link": "/radio/program/possible",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/possible/id1677184070",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/730YpdUSNlMyPQwNnyjp4k"
}
},
"pri-the-world": {
"id": "pri-the-world",
"title": "PRI's The World: Latest Edition",
"info": "Each weekday, host Marco Werman and his team of producers bring you the world's most interesting stories in an hour of radio that reminds us just how small our planet really is.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 2pm-3pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-World-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.pri.org/programs/the-world",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "PRI"
},
"link": "/radio/program/pri-the-world",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/pris-the-world-latest-edition/id278196007?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/podcasts/News--Politics-Podcasts/PRIs-The-World-p24/",
"rss": "http://feeds.feedburner.com/pri/theworld"
}
},
"radiolab": {
"id": "radiolab",
"title": "Radiolab",
"info": "A two-time Peabody Award-winner, Radiolab is an investigation told through sounds and stories, and centered around one big idea. In the Radiolab world, information sounds like music and science and culture collide. Hosted by Jad Abumrad and Robert Krulwich, the show is designed for listeners who demand skepticism, but appreciate wonder. WNYC Studios is the producer of other leading podcasts including Freakonomics Radio, Death, Sex & Money, On the Media and many more.",
"airtime": "SUN 12am-1am, SAT 2pm-3pm",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/radiolab1400.png",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.wnycstudios.org/shows/radiolab/",
"meta": {
"site": "science",
"source": "WNYC"
},
"link": "/radio/program/radiolab",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/radiolab/id152249110?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/RadioLab-p68032/",
"rss": "https://feeds.wnyc.org/radiolab"
}
},
"reveal": {
"id": "reveal",
"title": "Reveal",
"info": "Created by The Center for Investigative Reporting and PRX, Reveal is public radios first one-hour weekly radio show and podcast dedicated to investigative reporting. Credible, fact based and without a partisan agenda, Reveal combines the power and artistry of driveway moment storytelling with data-rich reporting on critically important issues. The result is stories that inform and inspire, arming our listeners with information to right injustices, hold the powerful accountable and improve lives.Reveal is hosted by Al Letson and showcases the award-winning work of CIR and newsrooms large and small across the nation. In a radio and podcast market crowded with choices, Reveal focuses on important and often surprising stories that illuminate the world for our listeners.",
"airtime": "SAT 4pm-5pm",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/reveal300px.png",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.revealnews.org/episodes/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/reveal",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/reveal/id886009669",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/Reveal-p679597/",
"rss": "http://feeds.revealradio.org/revealpodcast"
}
},
"rightnowish": {
"id": "rightnowish",
"title": "Rightnowish",
"tagline": "Art is where you find it",
"info": "Rightnowish digs into life in the Bay Area right now… ish. Journalist Pendarvis Harshaw takes us to galleries painted on the sides of liquor stores in West Oakland. We'll dance in warehouses in the Bayview, make smoothies with kids in South Berkeley, and listen to classical music in a 1984 Cutlass Supreme in Richmond. Every week, Pen talks to movers and shakers about how the Bay Area shapes what they create, and how they shape the place we call home.",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Rightnowish-Podcast-Tile-500x500-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Rightnowish with Pendarvis Harshaw",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/rightnowish",
"meta": {
"site": "arts",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 16
},
"link": "/podcasts/rightnowish",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/721590300/rightnowish",
"rss": "https://ww2.kqed.org/arts/programs/rightnowish/feed/podcast",
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rightnowish/id1482187648",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqed/rightnowish",
"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vS1FJTkMxMjU5MTY3NDc4",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/7kEJuafTzTVan7B78ttz1I"
}
},
"science-friday": {
"id": "science-friday",
"title": "Science Friday",
"info": "Science Friday is a weekly science talk show, broadcast live over public radio stations nationwide. Each week, the show focuses on science topics that are in the news and tries to bring an educated, balanced discussion to bear on the scientific issues at hand. Panels of expert guests join host Ira Flatow, a veteran science journalist, to discuss science and to take questions from listeners during the call-in portion of the program.",
"airtime": "FRI 11am-1pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Science-Friday-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.wnycstudios.org/shows/science-friday",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/science-friday",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?s=143441&mt=2&id=73329284&at=11l79Y&ct=nprdirectory",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/Science-Friday-p394/",
"rss": "http://feeds.wnyc.org/science-friday"
}
},
"snap-judgment": {
"id": "snap-judgment",
"title": "Snap Judgment",
"tagline": "Real stories with killer beats",
"info": "The Snap Judgment radio show and podcast mixes real stories with killer beats to produce cinematic, dramatic radio. Snap's musical brand of storytelling dares listeners to see the world through the eyes of another. This is storytelling... with a BEAT!! Snap first aired on public radio stations nationwide in July 2010. Today, Snap Judgment airs on over 450 public radio stations and is brought to the airwaves by KQED & PRX.",
"airtime": "SAT 1pm-2pm, 9pm-10pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Snap-Judgment-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Snap Judgment",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://snapjudgment.org",
"meta": {
"site": "arts",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 4
},
"link": "https://snapjudgment.org",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/snap-judgment/id283657561",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/449018144/snap-judgment",
"stitcher": "https://www.pandora.com/podcast/snap-judgment/PC:241?source=stitcher-sunset",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/3Cct7ZWmxHNAtLgBTqjC5v",
"rss": "https://snap.feed.snapjudgment.org/"
}
},
"soldout": {
"id": "soldout",
"title": "SOLD OUT: Rethinking Housing in America",
"tagline": "A new future for housing",
"info": "Sold Out: Rethinking Housing in America",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Sold-Out-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Sold Out: Rethinking Housing in America",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/soldout",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 13
},
"link": "/podcasts/soldout",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/911586047/s-o-l-d-o-u-t-a-new-future-for-housing",
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/introducing-sold-out-rethinking-housing-in-america/id1531354937",
"rss": "https://feeds.megaphone.fm/soldout",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/38dTBSk2ISFoPiyYNoKn1X",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqed/sold-out-rethinking-housing-in-america",
"tunein": "https://tunein.com/radio/SOLD-OUT-Rethinking-Housing-in-America-p1365871/"
}
},
"spooked": {
"id": "spooked",
"title": "Spooked",
"tagline": "True-life supernatural stories",
"info": "",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Spooked-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Spooked",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://spookedpodcast.org/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 7
},
"link": "https://spookedpodcast.org/",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/spooked/id1279361017",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/549547848/snap-judgment-presents-spooked",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/76571Rfl3m7PLJQZKQIGCT",
"rss": "https://feeds.simplecast.com/TBotaapn"
}
},
"tech-nation": {
"id": "tech-nation",
"title": "Tech Nation Radio Podcast",
"info": "Tech Nation is a weekly public radio program, hosted by Dr. Moira Gunn. Founded in 1993, it has grown from a simple interview show to a multi-faceted production, featuring conversations with noted technology and science leaders, and a weekly science and technology-related commentary.",
"airtime": "FRI 10pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Tech-Nation-Radio-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "http://technation.podomatic.com/",
"meta": {
"site": "science",
"source": "Tech Nation Media"
},
"link": "/radio/program/tech-nation",
"subscribe": {
"rss": "https://technation.podomatic.com/rss2.xml"
}
},
"ted-radio-hour": {
"id": "ted-radio-hour",
"title": "TED Radio Hour",
"info": "The TED Radio Hour is a journey through fascinating ideas, astonishing inventions, fresh approaches to old problems, and new ways to think and create.",
"airtime": "SUN 3pm-4pm, SAT 10pm-11pm",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/tedRadioHour.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/programs/ted-radio-hour/?showDate=2018-06-22",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/ted-radio-hour",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://rpb3r.app.goo.gl/8vsS",
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?s=143441&mt=2&id=523121474&at=11l79Y&ct=nprdirectory",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/TED-Radio-Hour-p418021/",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/510298/podcast.xml"
}
},
"thebay": {
"id": "thebay",
"title": "The Bay",
"tagline": "Local news to keep you rooted",
"info": "Host Devin Katayama walks you through the biggest story of the day with reporters and newsmakers.",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-Bay-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED The Bay",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/thebay",
"meta": {
"site": "radio",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 2
},
"link": "/podcasts/thebay",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-bay/id1350043452",
"amazon": "https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/d800ea4c-7a2c-42f2-b861-edaf78a5db0b/the-bay",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/586725995/the-bay",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqed/the-bay",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/4BIKBKIujizLHlIlBNaAqQ",
"rss": "https://feeds.megaphone.fm/KQINC8259786327"
}
},
"thelatest": {
"id": "thelatest",
"title": "The Latest",
"tagline": "Trusted local news in real time",
"info": "",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/The-Latest-2025-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED The Latest",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/thelatest",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 6
},
"link": "/thelatest",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-latest-from-kqed/id1197721799",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/1257949365/the-latest-from-k-q-e-d",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/5KIIXMgM9GTi5AepwOYvIZ?si=bd3053fec7244dba",
"rss": "https://feeds.megaphone.fm/KQINC9137121918"
}
},
"theleap": {
"id": "theleap",
"title": "The Leap",
"tagline": "What if you closed your eyes, and jumped?",
"info": "Stories about people making dramatic, risky changes, told by award-winning public radio reporter Judy Campbell.",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-Leap-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED The Leap",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/theleap",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 17
},
"link": "/podcasts/theleap",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-leap/id1046668171",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/447248267/the-leap",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqed/the-leap",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/3sSlVHHzU0ytLwuGs1SD1U",
"rss": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/programs/the-leap/feed/podcast"
}
},
"the-moth-radio-hour": {
"id": "the-moth-radio-hour",
"title": "The Moth Radio Hour",
"info": "Since its launch in 1997, The Moth has presented thousands of true stories, told live and without notes, to standing-room-only crowds worldwide. Moth storytellers stand alone, under a spotlight, with only a microphone and a roomful of strangers. The storyteller and the audience embark on a high-wire act of shared experience which is both terrifying and exhilarating. Since 2008, The Moth podcast has featured many of our favorite stories told live on Moth stages around the country. For information on all of our programs and live events, visit themoth.org.",
"airtime": "SAT 8pm-9pm and SUN 11am-12pm",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/theMoth.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://themoth.org/",
"meta": {
"site": "arts",
"source": "prx"
},
"link": "/radio/program/the-moth-radio-hour",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-moth-podcast/id275699983?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/The-Moth-p273888/",
"rss": "http://feeds.themoth.org/themothpodcast"
}
},
"the-new-yorker-radio-hour": {
"id": "the-new-yorker-radio-hour",
"title": "The New Yorker Radio Hour",
"info": "The New Yorker Radio Hour is a weekly program presented by the magazine's editor, David Remnick, and produced by WNYC Studios and The New Yorker. Each episode features a diverse mix of interviews, profiles, storytelling, and an occasional burst of humor inspired by the magazine, and shaped by its writers, artists, and editors. This isn't a radio version of a magazine, but something all its own, reflecting the rich possibilities of audio storytelling and conversation. Theme music for the show was composed and performed by Merrill Garbus of tUnE-YArDs.",
"airtime": "SAT 10am-11am",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-New-Yorker-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.wnycstudios.org/shows/tnyradiohour",
"meta": {
"site": "arts",
"source": "WNYC"
},
"link": "/radio/program/the-new-yorker-radio-hour",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/id1050430296",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/podcasts/WNYC-Podcasts/New-Yorker-Radio-Hour-p803804/",
"rss": "https://feeds.feedburner.com/newyorkerradiohour"
}
},
"the-sam-sanders-show": {
"id": "the-sam-sanders-show",
"title": "The Sam Sanders Show",
"info": "One of public radio's most dynamic voices, Sam Sanders helped launch The NPR Politics Podcast and hosted NPR's hit show It's Been A Minute. Now, the award-winning host returns with something brand new, The Sam Sanders Show. Every week, Sam Sanders and friends dig into the culture that shapes our lives: what's driving the biggest trends, how artists really think, and even the memes you can't stop scrolling past. Sam is beloved for his way of unpacking the world and bringing you up close to fresh currents and engaging conversations. The Sam Sanders Show is smart, funny and always a good time.",
"airtime": "FRI 12-1pm AND SAT 11am-12pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/The-Sam-Sanders-Show-Podcast-Tile-400x400-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.kcrw.com/shows/the-sam-sanders-show/latest",
"meta": {
"site": "arts",
"source": "KCRW"
},
"link": "https://www.kcrw.com/shows/the-sam-sanders-show/latest",
"subscribe": {
"rss": "https://feed.cdnstream1.com/zjb/feed/download/ac/28/59/ac28594c-e1d0-4231-8728-61865cdc80e8.xml"
}
},
"the-splendid-table": {
"id": "the-splendid-table",
"title": "The Splendid Table",
"info": "\u003cem>The Splendid Table\u003c/em> hosts our nation's conversations about cooking, sustainability and food culture.",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-Splendid-Table-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.splendidtable.org/",
"airtime": "SUN 10-11 pm",
"meta": {
"site": "radio",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/the-splendid-table"
},
"this-american-life": {
"id": "this-american-life",
"title": "This American Life",
"info": "This American Life is a weekly public radio show, heard by 2.2 million people on more than 500 stations. Another 2.5 million people download the weekly podcast. It is hosted by Ira Glass, produced in collaboration with Chicago Public Media, delivered to stations by PRX The Public Radio Exchange, and has won all of the major broadcasting awards.",
"airtime": "SAT 12pm-1pm, 7pm-8pm",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/thisAmericanLife.png",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.thisamericanlife.org/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "wbez"
},
"link": "/radio/program/this-american-life",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?s=143441&mt=2&id=201671138&at=11l79Y&ct=nprdirectory",
"rss": "https://www.thisamericanlife.org/podcast/rss.xml"
}
},
"tinydeskradio": {
"id": "tinydeskradio",
"title": "Tiny Desk Radio",
"info": "We're bringing the best of Tiny Desk to the airwaves, only on public radio.",
"airtime": "SUN 8pm and SAT 9pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/300x300-For-Member-Station-Logo-Tiny-Desk-Radio-@2x.png",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/series/g-s1-52030/tiny-desk-radio",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/tinydeskradio",
"subscribe": {
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/g-s1-52030/rss.xml"
}
},
"wait-wait-dont-tell-me": {
"id": "wait-wait-dont-tell-me",
"title": "Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!",
"info": "Peter Sagal and Bill Kurtis host the weekly NPR News quiz show alongside some of the best and brightest news and entertainment personalities.",
"airtime": "SUN 10am-11am, SAT 11am-12pm, SAT 6pm-7pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Wait-Wait-Podcast-Tile-300x300-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/programs/wait-wait-dont-tell-me/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/wait-wait-dont-tell-me",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://rpb3r.app.goo.gl/Xogv",
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?s=143441&mt=2&id=121493804&at=11l79Y&ct=nprdirectory",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/Wait-Wait-Dont-Tell-Me-p46/",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/344098539/podcast.xml"
}
},
"weekend-edition-saturday": {
"id": "weekend-edition-saturday",
"title": "Weekend Edition Saturday",
"info": "Weekend Edition Saturday wraps up the week's news and offers a mix of analysis and features on a wide range of topics, including arts, sports, entertainment, and human interest stories. The two-hour program is hosted by NPR's Peabody Award-winning Scott Simon.",
"airtime": "SAT 5am-10am",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Weekend-Edition-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/programs/weekend-edition-saturday/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/weekend-edition-saturday"
},
"weekend-edition-sunday": {
"id": "weekend-edition-sunday",
"title": "Weekend Edition Sunday",
"info": "Weekend Edition Sunday features interviews with newsmakers, artists, scientists, politicians, musicians, writers, theologians and historians. The program has covered news events from Nelson Mandela's 1990 release from a South African prison to the capture of Saddam Hussein.",
"airtime": "SUN 5am-10am",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Weekend-Edition-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/programs/weekend-edition-sunday/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/weekend-edition-sunday"
}
},
"racesReducer": {},
"racesGenElectionReducer": {},
"racesGenElection2026Reducer": {},
"radioSchedulesReducer": {},
"listsReducer": {
"posts/science?tag=air-quality": {
"isFetching": false,
"latestQuery": {
"from": 24,
"size": 12
},
"vitalsOnly": false,
"totalRequested": 12,
"isLoading": false,
"isLoadingMore": true,
"total": {
"value": 38,
"relation": "eq"
},
"items": [
"science_1943477",
"science_1943152",
"science_1940677",
"science_1937151",
"science_1934155",
"science_1934487",
"science_1934364",
"science_1923255",
"science_24329",
"science_12461",
"science_11257",
"science_7564"
],
"complete": true
}
},
"recallGuideReducer": {
"intros": {},
"policy": {},
"candidates": {}
},
"savedArticleReducer": {
"articles": [],
"status": {}
},
"newslettersReducer": {
"isFetching": false,
"fetchFailed": false,
"hasFetched": false,
"newsletters": {},
"isSubscribing": false,
"isUnsubscribing": false,
"subscribedNewsletters": {}
},
"termsReducer": {
"about": {
"name": "About",
"type": "terms",
"id": "about",
"slug": "about",
"link": "/about",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"arts": {
"name": "Arts & Culture",
"grouping": [
"arts",
"pop",
"trulyca"
],
"description": "KQED Arts provides daily in-depth coverage of the Bay Area's music, art, film, performing arts, literature and arts news, as well as cultural commentary and criticism.",
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts",
"slug": "arts",
"link": "/arts",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"artschool": {
"name": "Art School",
"parent": "arts",
"type": "terms",
"id": "artschool",
"slug": "artschool",
"link": "/artschool",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"bayareabites": {
"name": "KQED food",
"grouping": [
"food",
"bayareabites",
"checkplease"
],
"parent": "food",
"type": "terms",
"id": "bayareabites",
"slug": "bayareabites",
"link": "/food",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"bayareahiphop": {
"name": "Bay Area Hiphop",
"type": "terms",
"id": "bayareahiphop",
"slug": "bayareahiphop",
"link": "/bayareahiphop",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"campaign21": {
"name": "Campaign 21",
"type": "terms",
"id": "campaign21",
"slug": "campaign21",
"link": "/campaign21",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"careers": {
"name": "Careers",
"type": "terms",
"id": "careers",
"slug": "careers",
"link": "/careers",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"checkplease": {
"name": "KQED food",
"grouping": [
"food",
"bayareabites",
"checkplease"
],
"parent": "food",
"type": "terms",
"id": "checkplease",
"slug": "checkplease",
"link": "/food",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"education": {
"name": "Education",
"grouping": [
"education"
],
"type": "terms",
"id": "education",
"slug": "education",
"link": "/education",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"elections": {
"name": "Elections",
"type": "terms",
"id": "elections",
"slug": "elections",
"link": "/elections",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"events": {
"name": "Events",
"type": "terms",
"id": "events",
"slug": "events",
"link": "/events",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"event": {
"name": "Event",
"alias": "events",
"type": "terms",
"id": "event",
"slug": "event",
"link": "/event",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"filmschoolshorts": {
"name": "Film School Shorts",
"type": "terms",
"id": "filmschoolshorts",
"slug": "filmschoolshorts",
"link": "/filmschoolshorts",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"food": {
"name": "KQED food",
"grouping": [
"food",
"bayareabites",
"checkplease"
],
"type": "terms",
"id": "food",
"slug": "food",
"link": "/food",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"forum": {
"name": "Forum",
"relatedContentQuery": "posts/forum?",
"parent": "news",
"type": "terms",
"id": "forum",
"slug": "forum",
"link": "/forum",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"futureofyou": {
"name": "Future of You",
"grouping": [
"science",
"futureofyou"
],
"parent": "science",
"type": "terms",
"id": "futureofyou",
"slug": "futureofyou",
"link": "/futureofyou",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"jpepinheart": {
"name": "KQED food",
"relatedContentQuery": "posts/food,bayareabites,checkplease",
"parent": "food",
"type": "terms",
"id": "jpepinheart",
"slug": "jpepinheart",
"link": "/food",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"liveblog": {
"name": "Live Blog",
"type": "terms",
"id": "liveblog",
"slug": "liveblog",
"link": "/liveblog",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"livetv": {
"name": "Live TV",
"parent": "tv",
"type": "terms",
"id": "livetv",
"slug": "livetv",
"link": "/livetv",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"lowdown": {
"name": "The Lowdown",
"relatedContentQuery": "posts/lowdown?",
"parent": "news",
"type": "terms",
"id": "lowdown",
"slug": "lowdown",
"link": "/lowdown",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"mindshift": {
"name": "Mindshift",
"parent": "news",
"description": "MindShift explores the future of education by highlighting the innovative – and sometimes counterintuitive – ways educators and parents are helping all children succeed.",
"type": "terms",
"id": "mindshift",
"slug": "mindshift",
"link": "/mindshift",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"news": {
"name": "News",
"grouping": [
"news",
"forum"
],
"type": "terms",
"id": "news",
"slug": "news",
"link": "/news",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"newsletters": {
"name": "newsletters",
"type": "terms",
"id": "newsletters",
"slug": "newsletters",
"link": "/newsletters",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"perspectives": {
"name": "Perspectives",
"parent": "radio",
"type": "terms",
"id": "perspectives",
"slug": "perspectives",
"link": "/perspectives",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"podcasts": {
"name": "Podcasts",
"type": "terms",
"id": "podcasts",
"slug": "podcasts",
"link": "/podcasts",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"pop": {
"name": "Pop",
"parent": "arts",
"type": "terms",
"id": "pop",
"slug": "pop",
"link": "/pop",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"pressroom": {
"name": "Pressroom",
"type": "terms",
"id": "pressroom",
"slug": "pressroom",
"link": "/pressroom",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"quest": {
"name": "Quest",
"parent": "science",
"type": "terms",
"id": "quest",
"slug": "quest",
"link": "/quest",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"radio": {
"name": "Radio",
"grouping": [
"forum",
"perspectives"
],
"description": "Listen to KQED Public Radio – home of Forum and The California Report – on 88.5 FM in San Francisco, 89.3 FM in Sacramento, 88.3 FM in Santa Rosa and 88.1 FM in Martinez.",
"type": "terms",
"id": "radio",
"slug": "radio",
"link": "/radio",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"root": {
"name": "KQED",
"image": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"imageWidth": 1200,
"imageHeight": 630,
"headData": {
"title": "KQED | News, Radio, Podcasts, TV | Public Media for Northern California",
"description": "KQED provides public radio, television, and independent reporting on issues that matter to the Bay Area. We’re the NPR and PBS member station for Northern California."
},
"type": "terms",
"id": "root",
"slug": "root",
"link": "/root",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"science": {
"name": "Science",
"grouping": [
"science",
"futureofyou"
],
"description": "KQED Science brings you award-winning science and environment coverage from the Bay Area and beyond.",
"type": "terms",
"id": "science",
"slug": "science",
"link": "/science",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"stateofhealth": {
"name": "State of Health",
"parent": "science",
"type": "terms",
"id": "stateofhealth",
"slug": "stateofhealth",
"link": "/stateofhealth",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"support": {
"name": "Support",
"type": "terms",
"id": "support",
"slug": "support",
"link": "/support",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"thedolist": {
"name": "The Do List",
"parent": "arts",
"type": "terms",
"id": "thedolist",
"slug": "thedolist",
"link": "/thedolist",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"trulyca": {
"name": "Truly CA",
"grouping": [
"arts",
"pop",
"trulyca"
],
"parent": "arts",
"type": "terms",
"id": "trulyca",
"slug": "trulyca",
"link": "/trulyca",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"tv": {
"name": "TV",
"type": "terms",
"id": "tv",
"slug": "tv",
"link": "/tv",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"voterguide": {
"name": "Voter Guide",
"parent": "elections",
"alias": "elections",
"type": "terms",
"id": "voterguide",
"slug": "voterguide",
"link": "/voterguide",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"guiaelectoral": {
"name": "Guia Electoral",
"parent": "elections",
"alias": "elections",
"type": "terms",
"id": "guiaelectoral",
"slug": "guiaelectoral",
"link": "/guiaelectoral",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"science_tag_air-quality": {
"isLoading": true
},
"science_524": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "science_524",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "science",
"id": "524",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "air quality",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "air quality Archives | KQED Science",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 530,
"slug": "air-quality",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/science/tag/air-quality"
},
"source_science_1943477": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "source_science_1943477",
"meta": {
"override": true
},
"name": "The Conversation\u003cbr />The Conversation",
"link": "https://theconversation.com/us",
"isLoading": false
},
"source_science_1943152": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "source_science_1943152",
"meta": {
"override": true
},
"name": "CALMATTERS",
"isLoading": false
},
"source_science_1923255": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "source_science_1923255",
"meta": {
"override": true
},
"name": "Environment",
"isLoading": false
},
"science_39": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "science_39",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "science",
"id": "39",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Health",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "category",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Health Archives | KQED Science",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 41,
"slug": "health",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/science/category/health"
},
"science_40": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "science_40",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "science",
"id": "40",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "News",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "category",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "News Archives | KQED Science",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 42,
"slug": "news",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/science/category/news"
},
"science_505": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "science_505",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "science",
"id": "505",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "air pollution",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "air pollution Archives | KQED Science",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 511,
"slug": "air-pollution",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/science/tag/air-pollution"
},
"science_3838": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "science_3838",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "science",
"id": "3838",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "ingest",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "ingest Archives | KQED Science",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 3838,
"slug": "ingest",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/science/tag/ingest"
},
"science_31": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "science_31",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "science",
"id": "31",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Climate",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "category",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Climate Archives | KQED Science",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 33,
"slug": "climate",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/science/category/climate"
},
"science_33": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "science_33",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "science",
"id": "33",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Energy",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "category",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Energy Archives | KQED Science",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 35,
"slug": "energy",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/science/category/energy"
},
"science_35": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "science_35",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "science",
"id": "35",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Environment",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "category",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Environment Archives | KQED Science",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 37,
"slug": "environment",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/science/category/environment"
},
"science_2889": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "science_2889",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "science",
"id": "2889",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "clean energy",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "clean energy Archives | KQED Science",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 2889,
"slug": "clean-energy",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/science/tag/clean-energy"
},
"science_1133": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "science_1133",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "science",
"id": "1133",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "electric vehicles",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "electric vehicles Archives | KQED Science",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 1141,
"slug": "electric-vehicles",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/science/tag/electric-vehicles"
},
"science_3840": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "science_3840",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "science",
"id": "3840",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "daily",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "daily Archives | KQED Science",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 3840,
"slug": "daily",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/science/tag/daily"
},
"science_3370": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "science_3370",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "science",
"id": "3370",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "featured",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "featured Archives | KQED Science",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 3370,
"slug": "featured",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/science/tag/featured"
},
"science_3834": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "science_3834",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "science",
"id": "3834",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Freelance",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Freelance Archives | KQED Science",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 3834,
"slug": "freelance",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/science/tag/freelance"
},
"science_392": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "science_392",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "science",
"id": "392",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "agriculture",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "agriculture Archives | KQED Science",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 398,
"slug": "agriculture",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/science/tag/agriculture"
},
"science_5178": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "science_5178",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "science",
"id": "5178",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "California",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "California Archives | KQED Science",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 5178,
"slug": "california",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/science/tag/california"
},
"science_686": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "science_686",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "science",
"id": "686",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "central valley",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "central valley Archives | KQED Science",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 693,
"slug": "central-valley",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/science/tag/central-valley"
},
"science_2080": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "science_2080",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "science",
"id": "2080",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "EPA",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "EPA Archives | KQED Science",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 2091,
"slug": "epa",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/science/tag/epa"
},
"science_1487": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "science_1487",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "science",
"id": "1487",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "San Joaquin Valley",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "San Joaquin Valley Archives | KQED Science",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 1496,
"slug": "san-joaquin-valley",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/science/tag/san-joaquin-valley"
},
"science_3730": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "science_3730",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "science",
"id": "3730",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Wildfires",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "category",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Wildfires Archives | KQED Science",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 3730,
"slug": "wildfires",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/science/category/wildfires"
},
"science_3463": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "science_3463",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "science",
"id": "3463",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "smoke",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "smoke Archives | KQED Science",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 3463,
"slug": "smoke",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/science/tag/smoke"
},
"science_113": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "science_113",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "science",
"id": "113",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "wildfire",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "wildfire Archives | KQED Science",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 117,
"slug": "wildfire",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/science/tag/wildfire"
},
"science_3820": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "science_3820",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "science",
"id": "3820",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "camp fire",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "camp fire Archives | KQED Science",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 3820,
"slug": "camp-fire",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/science/tag/camp-fire"
},
"science_3151": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "science_3151",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "science",
"id": "3151",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Future of You",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "category",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Future of You Archives | KQED Science",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 3151,
"slug": "future-of-you",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/science/category/future-of-you"
},
"science_3424": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "science_3424",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "science",
"id": "3424",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "KQED Future of You",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "category",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "KQED Future of You Archives | KQED Science",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 3424,
"slug": "kqed-future-of-you",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/science/category/kqed-future-of-you"
},
"science_192": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "science_192",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "science",
"id": "192",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "environment",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "environment Archives | KQED Science",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 196,
"slug": "environment-2",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/science/tag/environment-2"
},
"science_29": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "science_29",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "science",
"id": "29",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Chemistry",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "category",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Chemistry Archives | KQED Science",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 31,
"slug": "chemistry",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/science/category/chemistry"
},
"science_64": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "science_64",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "science",
"id": "64",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "full-image",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "full-image Archives | KQED Science",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 67,
"slug": "full-image",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/science/tag/full-image"
},
"science_89": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "science_89",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "science",
"id": "89",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Engineering",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "category",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Engineering Archives | KQED Science",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 92,
"slug": "engineering",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/science/category/engineering"
},
"science_354": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "science_354",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "science",
"id": "354",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "emissions",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "emissions Archives | KQED Science",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 360,
"slug": "emissions",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/science/tag/emissions"
},
"science_450": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "science_450",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "science",
"id": "450",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "transportation",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "transportation Archives | KQED Science",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 456,
"slug": "transportation",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/science/tag/transportation"
}
},
"userPermissionsReducer": {
"wpLoggedIn": false
},
"eventsReducer": {},
"fssReducer": {},
"tvDailyScheduleReducer": {},
"tvWeeklyScheduleReducer": {},
"tvPrimetimeScheduleReducer": {},
"tvMonthlyScheduleReducer": {},
"userAccountReducer": {
"user": {
"email": null,
"emailStatus": "EMAIL_UNVALIDATED",
"loggedStatus": "LOGGED_OUT",
"loggingChecked": false,
"articles": [],
"firstName": null,
"lastName": null,
"phoneNumber": null,
"fetchingMembership": false,
"membershipError": false,
"memberships": [
{
"id": null,
"startDate": null,
"firstName": null,
"lastName": null,
"familyNumber": null,
"memberNumber": null,
"memberSince": null,
"expirationDate": null,
"pfsEligible": false,
"isSustaining": false,
"membershipLevel": "Prospect",
"membershipStatus": "Non Member",
"lastGiftDate": null,
"renewalDate": null,
"lastDonationAmount": null
}
]
},
"authModal": {
"isOpen": false,
"view": "LANDING_VIEW"
},
"error": null
},
"youthMediaReducer": {},
"checkPleaseReducer": {
"filterData": {
"region": {
"key": "Restaurant Region",
"filters": [
"Any Region"
]
},
"cuisine": {
"key": "Restaurant Cuisine",
"filters": [
"Any Cuisine"
]
}
},
"restaurantDataById": {},
"restaurantIdsSorted": [],
"error": null
},
"userAgentReducer": {
"userAgent": "Mozilla/5.0 AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko; compatible; ClaudeBot/1.0; +claudebot@anthropic.com)",
"isBot": true
}
}
