Visalia ranks among worst in US for harmful pollutants in 2025 report
Visalia is once again among the worst in the nation for ozone and particle pollution, harmful pollutants and the 'main ingredient in smog' that experts say millions more Americans were exposed to nationwide in a new report.
The American Lung Association released its State of the Air report for 2025, examining the levels of air pollution across the United States based on data compiled by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for 2021-2023, the most recent period of nationwide, publicly available data. The report looks at two of the 'most widespread and dangerous' air pollutants: fine particles and ozone.
Visalia ranked No. 2 in the American Lung Association's 25 worst cities for ozone, No. 2 in year-round particle pollution, and No. 3 in short-term particle pollution.
Earlier studies have found that thousands of people living in Tulare County suffer from pediatric asthma, adult asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. California's soaring population and topography allow air pollution to overcome the state's strict environmental laws, and Highway 99 and the Interstate 5 accommodates thousands of trucks on a daily basis, earlier studies have found.
Tulare County: Unhealthy air quality across the Valley
Ozone pollution isn't just a California problem, as nearly 25 million more people across the nation, based on last year's figure, have been exposed to ozone levels that put their health at risk. More than 125 million people live in counties with F grades for ozone pollution, the lowest grade possible and reflective of a poor score that involves the Air Quality Index.
'The severity of the problem and the abruptness of the change are unprecedented in magnitude,' the report said. 'Nationwide, nearly five times as many counties' ozone levels worsened as improved.'
The smoke spreading from wildfires in Canada in 2023 and high temperatures combined with emissions in the South are large factors of the worsening ozone, according to the report.
Pollution: Visalia ranked second worst in state
Fine particles refer to the size of particle pollution or particulate matter, a term for the mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets in the air that poses health threats, according to the EPA and the American Lung Association. Fine particles are 'most often a by-product of burning wood or fossil fuels, and may include components such as toxic compounds, salts and metals,' said the American Lung Association.
The 'main ingredient in smog,' ozone — or more specifically, ground-level ozone as opposed to the ozone naturally occuring higher in our atmosphere that protects us — is created by a chemical reaction involving sunlight and pollutants emitted by cars, power plants, refineries and other sources, according to the EPA.
Among the health effects between the two pollutants include aggravating asthma, damage to the airways and decreased lung function, irregular heartbeat and premature death in people with heart or lung disease, said the EPA.
The American Lung Association's report found that 156.1 million Americans are living in places that receive failing grades for its ozone or particle pollution, which is up nearly 25 million more people compared to last year's report. Extreme heat, drought and wildfires are worsening air pollution levels in the nation, the report said.
Nine California metro areas were ranked in the American Lung Association's 25 worst cities for ozone. Here's which:
Los Angeles-Long Beach: No. 1
Visalia: No. 2
Bakersfield-Delano: No. 3
Fresno-Hanford-Corcoran: No. 5
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad: No. 8
Sacramento-Roseville: No. 11
San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland: No. 14
El Centro: No. 17
Redding-Red Bluff: No. 24
The American Lung Association also released the worst 25 cities nationwide pertaining to year-round particle pollution. Here are the places in California that made the list.
Bakersfield-Delano: No. 1
Visalia: No. 2
Fresno-Hanford-Corcoran: No. 3
Los Angeles-Long Beach: No. 5
San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland: No. 6
Sacramento-Roseville: No. 14
El Centro: No. 23
The American Lung Association also released the worst 25 cities nationwide pertaining to short-term particle pollution. Here are the places in California that made the list.
Bakersfield-Delano: No. 1
Visalia: No. 3
Fresno-Hanford-Corcoran: No. 5
Reno-Carson City-Gardnerville Ranchos (both Nevada and California): No. 6
Los Angeles-Long Beach: No. 7
Sacramento-Roseville: No. 10
San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland: No. 11
Redding-Red Blugg: No. 16
Paris Barraza is a trending reporter covering California news at The Desert Sun. Reach her at pbarraza@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Report: The worst areas for air pollution in US are in Visalia
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
$8 million PFAS water project moves forward in Morganfield
MORGANFIELD, Ky. (WEHT) — City officials in Morganfield have a large task ahead of them — removing PFAS from the water. They say there is currently a plan in action which involves a project that will cost over $8 million dollars. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, PFAS are long lasting chemicals that break down slowly over time and can be found all across the country in fish, soil, air and water. 'They're part of our everyday life,' said David Tapp, the water treatment plant supervisor in Morganfield. 'They're in our car seats– anything you can buy that is stain resistant, water resistant or nonstick labels is generally coated in more of these chemicals. And they have a strong chemical bond. And they last forever in the environment.' Tapp says the levels of PFAS in the city are still considered 'safe,' but the city is ready to prevent it from reaching dangerous levels. 'You have a laundry list of everything from kidney cancer to birth defects to high cholesterol that it causes when it's ingested,' said Tapp. 'It's stuff that's been around for a while and we didn't realize how dangerous it was.' The project in motion involves constructing a new building — located right next to the plant that will have 'Granular-Activated Carbon' filters. We're told these filters will help remove the chemicals from the water. 'When you look at it under a microscope, it looks like lava rocks we use in a gas room.,' said Tapp. 'And you have these big metal tanks that's full of sand-looking stuff. It's real porous. And you pump water through it and the contaminants get stuck inside the pores. It's just a secondary filtering process.' Although the cost of the project is high, Tapp says the city is committed to putting residents first. 'We've secured funding for $7 million of that and we've applied for more grant funding through a couple different agencies to try to make up the difference to lessen the load on our customers and residents,' said Tapp. The building that will house the GAC filters is set to be completed in July 2027. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Yahoo
The Best Time to Take Vitamin D for Maximum Absorption, According to Health Experts
Reviewed by Dietitian Sarah Pflugradt, Ph.D., RDN, CSCSIt can be challenging to meet your vitamin D needs through diet alone. It doesn't matter whether you take vitamin D in the morning or evening. Take vitamin D with a meal or snack containing fat to enhance it comes to the supplement aisle, multivitamins, omega-3s and probiotics might score the most real estate on the shelf. However, if that multi doesn't come with a dose of vitamin D, your doctor might recommend adding another pill to your routine. Known as the "sunshine vitamin," vitamin D is something most of us aren't getting enough of, and if you're wondering what time of day you should take it, we're here with the answer. Roxana Ehsani, M.S., RD, CSSD, explains that vitamin D is one of four fat-soluble vitamins (A, E and K are the others). Our bodies make vitamin D after being exposed to the sun, and we can also get it through our diet. It plays 'many important roles in our body,' adds Ehsani. These include supporting your immune system, muscle and nerve function, your body's ability to absorb calcium and more. Even though vitamin D is critical for overall health, research suggests that an estimated 25% of Americans are deficient in it. This could be because there are few food sources of vitamin D, and many people don't see sunshine during winter, live in regions with limited sunlight, and/or keep their skin covered while al fresco. The average older adult's recommended Daily Value of vitamin D is 20 micrograms, which is equal to 800 international units (IU). For reference, one egg and a 3-ounce can of tuna each have above 1 mcg, 3 ounces of sockeye salmon delivers around 12 mcg, and 3 ounces of trout offers around 14 mcg. Unless you're taking a spoonful of cod liver oil (34 mcg) or eating salmon or trout daily, it can be challenging to meet that mark through food alone, since most food sources of vitamin D offer small amounts. In the U.S., people get most of their dietary vitamin D from fortified milk, which contains around 100 IU per 8-ounce serving. But you'd need to drink a quart or more of milk daily to reach the DV—and milk consumption has been declining in recent years, a factor that some experts cite when discussing increased vitamin D deficiency. That's why many people take a vitamin D supplement. However, you want to make sure not only that you're taking the right amount but also that your body is absorbing it properly. Read along to learn when to take your vitamin D supplement and what factors you should consider. We'll cut to the chase: According to the current scientific consensus, our experts agree that it doesn't matter what time of the day you take your vitamin D supplement. Many people find it handy to take supplements in the morning before the day sweeps them away. Others like to store them in a drawer near the kitchen cleaning supplies to pop after tidying up after dinner. It shouldn't make a substantial difference in absorption rates whether you swing to one side or the other, although it's easiest to remember if you pick one time and stick with it. There are many factors to consider when taking any supplement, not just a vitamin D supplement; here's what you should keep in mind. First, several conditions can influence an individual's vitamin D levels (or needs). These include osteoporosis or osteopenia, depression, kidney or liver disease and having a family history of neurological conditions, to name a few. According to David Davidson, M.D., it's especially important for 'people with absorption issues, like inflammatory bowel disease or post-gastric bypass surgery' to work with their doctors to dial in their dose and receive personalized guidance about when to take vitamin D. Body size can also alter absorbency and dosing, so be sure to ask your doctor for an individual recommendation before you set off to shop for supplements. If you notice any nausea, constipation, noticeable appetite shifts or other adverse symptoms after taking your supplement, be sure to chat with your doctor. Regardless of why you're including a vitamin D supplement in your regimen, it's important to consider your routine. It's difficult to reap the health benefits of vitamin D if you forget to take it most of the time. Many people do well with 'habit stacking' or pairing the routine of taking vitamin D with something else they do daily on autopilot. Keep this in mind as you consider when to take your supplements. Ehsani shows how to put this into practice: 'If you always brush your teeth in the morning after breakfast, for instance, can you place your vitamin D supplements next to your toothbrush to remind you to take it each day?' As with any new medication or supplement, it's important to check with a health care professional to determine the best time for you. As a general rule, though, 'the 'best' time is what works best for you,' Ehsani says. 'The timing of when to take the vitamin D supplement shouldn't matter, but it should be taken with food,' Davidson says. 'Because it's a fat-soluble vitamin, food, specifically healthy fats, will help with the absorption of vitamin D.' For example, if you tend to have almond-butter toast each morning, 'consider taking it with that meal, as almond butter contains healthy fats,' Ehsani advises. Or, if you like to serve dinner with a side salad topped with a handful of walnuts and drizzled with a vinaigrette, take your vitamin D before you sit down to dig in. You could also choose to take your vitamin D with a glass of whole milk or a yogurt drink—you'll get the addition of calcium from the dairy and the vitamin D will help your body absorb the calcium. 'It may be impractical for you to take it with meals if you eat a majority of your meals away from home and can't realistically carry the vitamin D supplement with you everywhere you go,' Ehsani acknowledges. So, if that's not a realistic proposition, tell a health care professional about your schedule and when you think it might better fit, and ask for their runner-up recommendation. There are two types of vitamin D: D2 and D3. UV-grown plants, fungi and fortified foods deliver D2, while we get D3 from sunlight and animal-based ingredients. While both are important and beneficial, vitamin D3 is more bioavailable than vitamin D2. This means that your body uses vitamin D3 more efficiently, so you might need a higher dose of vitamin D2 to achieve the same effects as you might with a supplement that includes just D3. Before starting any new supplement regimen, talk to a health care professional about the best form of vitamin D for you. And if you already take a vitamin D supplement, confirm with them that you're taking the right form. Related: 7 Things You Should Look for When Buying a Supplement, According to Dietitians The best time to take a vitamin D supplement is when it fits well into your day—and when you can remember to take it. When choosing a vitamin D supplement, consider opting for vitamin D3 over D2 so your body can use it more efficiently. Additionally, Ehsani and Davidson confirm that, ideally, you should take your vitamin D supplement with a meal that contains fat to help with absorption. For instance, if you like to take vitamin D first thing in the morning, well before you typically eat breakfast, or prefer to pop your supplements just before bed, think about doing so with a handful of nuts or a spoonful of nut butter, Ehsani says. That way, you'll enjoy two wellness wins in one: better vitamin D absorption and all the health benefits of nuts. Related: 5 Supplements You Shouldn't Be Taking, According to a Dietitian Read the original article on EATINGWELL
Politico
10 hours ago
- Politico
FDA chief wary of federal recommendations for Covid-19 vaccines
Dr. Marty Makary, commissioner of the FDA, on Sunday made it clear he was dubious of previous federal recommendations on Covid-19 vaccinations and the agencies who made them. In an interview with host Margaret Brennan of CBS' 'Face the Nation,' Makary responded to repeated requests from Brennan to clarify federal guidance (or the lack thereof) with variations on the same answer. 'We believe the recommendation should be with a patient and their doctor,' he said at one point, declining to give specific advice — or specifying how doctors might be able to offer guidance in the absence from direction from the federal government. Brennan was seeking clarity from Makary in the aftermath of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s announcement that Covid-19 vaccines would no longer be recommended for healthy children and pregnant women. The CDC subsequently offered updated advice that somewhat countered what Kennedy said but also left room for interpretation. Makary there needed to be more controlled studies, so that decisions to approve vaccines would be more authoritative. The CBS host tried to get Makary to say what was lacking in the current data for such vaccines, and when that information might be available to the agency, as well as the general public. In his answers Sunday, Makary was not supportive of past guidance, criticizing the methodology of the CDC. 'We know the CDC data is contaminated with a lot of false positives from incidental positive Covid tests with routine testing of every kid that walks in the hospital,' he told Brennan. Makary also cast doubt on the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. 'That panel has been a kangaroo court where they just rubber-stamp every single vaccine put in front of them,' he said. At the time he was nominated in November, Makary was a Johns Hopkins surgeon who was best known for his criticism of the Biden administration's response to Covid, something for which Kennedy was also known. Trump said Makary was needed because 'the FDA has lost the trust of Americans.' Makary, he said, would 'course-correct' the agency. On Sunday, when it came to discussing the shots and pregnant women, Makary was a model of consistency in his contention that the decision was a personal matter between a patient and her doctor. Brennan and Makary had this exchange: Brennan: 'It is still unclear what pregnant women now should do until they get the data that you say.' Makary: 'I'd say talk to their doctor.' Brennan: 'When do they get the data you're promising? All these controlled studies.' Makary: 'In the absence of data, they should talk to their doctor ...' Brennan: 'So no date?' Makary: "... and their doctor will use their best wisdom and judgment.'
