Cal Matters: In neglected communities such as South Los Angeles, freeways crisscrossing neighborhoods are choking residents with harmful pollution, writes Prisma Alvarez in this insightful commentary for Cal Matters.
In a nutshell:
In Los Angeles, the public transportation system falls short of meeting commuter needs, leading many to rely on cars and contribute to pollution. The author's personal experience with air pollution, which resulted in respiratory issues, highlights the health impact of pollution in communities like theirs. This environmental injustice disproportionately affects Black and Latino families, leading to higher rates of illness and premature death. The call for increased investments in clean transportation programs, such as Assembly Bill 126, is crucial for addressing pollution and promoting environmental justice in these communities.
Key quote:
"It’s impossible to be carless in Los Angeles. When you have to get up at 4 a.m. to catch a bus to catch a train just to get to work on time, our public transportation system – at least the one that services northeast to South Los Angeles – fails to meet commuter needs," writes Alvarez.
The big picture:
Communities living near freeways often face higher levels of pollution, leading to increased rates of asthma, cancer, and premature death, especially in communities of color, who are more likely to live near high-traffic corridors. This highlights the systemic disparities in exposure to harmful pollutants. It is imperative to address these disparities through targeted investments in clean transportation and environmental policies to ensure healthier, more equitable living conditions for affected communities.
Read the commentary at Cal Matters.
Black, Hispanic and low-income children are more exposed to toxics like air pollution and lead — and this disparate exposure is linked to autism, lower IQ scores and worse memory, according to a recent scientific review of more than 200 studies.
