Air Pollution & Smoke
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East Palo Alto faces high air pollution due to the nearby Highway 101 and the Dumbarton Bridge. Smoke from nearby fires, which have increased in intensity due to climate change, can worsen air quality to unhealthy levels. Children in EPA are 2.5x more likely to be hospitalized due to asthma than children in surrounding cities. See below for how residents can prepare for air pollution by increasing their awareness and taking steps to protect themselves and their home.
Air pollution warnings
Knowing when air quality is or will be harmful is key to plan how you and your family will stay safe. To get notified when air quality will be hazardous, text “START” TO 817-57 or sign up for email or call notifications.
You can also check sparetheair.org for air quality information and forecasts (we are in the “South Central Bay” region), and for an explanation of what air quality scores mean.
Staying safe
Staying safe during times of high air pollution is important, especially for those at the highest risk — children, seniors, those with respiratory diseases like asthma, and adults that work or exercise outside. Some important steps to consider are:
- First, make sure you’re aware of the air quality and whether it may be hazardous for you.
- When possible, avoid outdoor work and activity.
- If needed, use protective devices like air purifiers and N95 masks (surgical and cloth masks are not effective for small particles like smoke).
Reducing local air pollution
Lawn equipment — Residents can also help reduce air pollution in their own neighborhoods by reducing the use of “small off-road engines” such as gas-powered leaf blowers, lawn movers, and other landscaping tools. These tools release more smog-forming emissions per year than most cars do and they emit more toxic NMHC’s in half an hour than driving a truck across the entire county. Switching to electric alternatives can save money on fuel, eliminate harmful pollution, and reduce loud noise.
State law now requires that all new lawn equipment must be electric, but existing gas-powered equipment can be used until it stops functioning.
Healthy homes — Gas-powered appliances, particularly stoves, can be major sources of indoor air pollution and may contribute to asthma risk. Make sure to use the fan/vent while using the stove, and changing to an electric stove may help if possible. See here for more information.
Citywide efforts
Transportation — The City is working on reducing the main source of emissions — gas-powered cars and trucks — and residents can help reduce their own impacts as well by exploring alternatives to gas cars.
Research — Climate Resilient Communities and Stanford are also partnering on the Our Communities Our Bay project which has distributed air pollution monitors and air purifiers to residents to better understand how residents can best reduce the impacts of air pollution.
