In a discovery process to find out why my lungs and chest felt so bad at one intense point driving to Palm Springs, I called an air pollution specialist who said,
"You were probably driving near Banning where air pollution reaches a peak in the Inland Empire."
I took this photo as I exited the 10 east feeling sick from horrible air pollution. Note "Beaumont Ave-Interstate 79" in sign. I just did a google map search, and, indeed, my sore lungs and chest suffered in Banning area.
Please note in photo the barely visible mountain, which is actually nearby.
I just went to the City of Banning's web site, which falsely states they enjoy clean air. Well, maybe they do. But I'd guess, 2 a.m.
I also searched the air quality map for that day and hour I drove, which was classified as Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups. (I'd say it was unhealthy period. For everyone.)
Geography, atmospheric conditions, and emissions from trucks interact with hydrocarbons and the sun creating dangerous air. Winds tend to blow east. By the time the air mass travels to Palm Springs where there are less trucks and industry, the pollution has dissipated.
So while Palm Springs is in Riverside County, which is known for bad air, the city is more protected than others in that region. I'm also told Palm Springs has a better ozone plot than the Inland Empire.
Ozone is invisible but you know it's around when your lungs and eyes burn, and some unfortunate people may have asthma attacks (or worse).
Air quality conditions change day-to-day and hour-by-hour. Mornings tend to be better.
When making travel plans, remember that Southern California summers are the worst time for air pollution as our hot sun cooks truck and car emissions, creating a toxic stew. Southern California fires can and do ignite, filling our air with fine particulates, which are most unpleasant to breathe, and according to health impact studies can create short and long-term health consequences depending upon level of exposure.
I wonder if the Santa Barbara fire is out yet?
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