Hi Donna-
Amazing blog!
I ran across your excellent blog while doing research on air quality in Palm Springs. I'm planning on moving down to Palm Springs from San Francisco, but I'm concerned about the poor air quality here. I'm very active outdoors, but have a bit of a respiratory problem that is not an issue in San Francisco, but might be down here.
I've been tracking Palm Springs air quality via:
http://airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=airnow.showlocal&CityID=488
And it's been "unhealthy for sensitive groups" quite a few times since I've been down here from March to current. Yikes!
I was wondering if you had some insights into the air trends in Palm Springs. Is the rumor that Palm Springs air is generally better than the other side of the mountains true? Is the air quality getting better here or worse?
All the best,
Mike
Hi Mike,
Thanks for writing.
If you have respiratory issues I would not suggest moving to Palm Springs, especially because you like being active outdoors. I'm aware of people that speak about the air on the other side of the mountain, and, indeed, it was slightly better in my experience in Palm Springs--but far from clean air.
Keep in mind I was recently there not in the heat of summer when toxins can get really cooked into "poison" otherwise known as ozone.
If you're going to start over and you have known respiratory problems, I'd suggest moving elsewhere.
I know how hard it is to relocate, get used to a place, and feel burdened later to choose between lifestyle and breathing well.
Please do read the article/link below if you haven't already because truly I suffered from the air only 35 miles outside of Palm Springs. Later I got winded hiking in Palm Springs, which when the air is clean, rarely happens.
Your concern about Palm Springs air quality is warranted. In my opinion.
Best wishes,
Donna
