First Name | Heidi |
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Last Name | Combs |
Email Address | hecombs@kern.org |
Affiliation | Kern County Superintendent of Schools |
Subject | Diesel Exhaust |
Comment | I am writing to express my deep concern about the negative health impacts of diesel pollution from trucks and buses and I urge the California Air Resources Board to adopt the strongest regulation possible to clean up the top sources of diesel particulate matter in California. Personally, I am a sufferer of Asthma caused by pollutants and exhaust is a major culprit in my attacks. I have racked up tons of $$$ in doctor bills and have come close to death many times over the health issues caused by the smog in our Central California air. The air quality of Bakersfield (KERN COUNTY) has become one of the worst areas in California to live as we sit in a valley where smog collects and has nowhere to go. California has the worst air quality in the nation and trucks and buses are a major contributor to the particulate matter and ozone pollution that causes serious health consequences. (As a woman, I am very concerned about the effects that the particulate matter poses to my health and others. Women especially, are affected by particulate matter as it is a major source of lung cancer). I have had my share of health issues, but have found that breathing, or not breathing as the case is at times; is the most frightening aspect, as not breathing, always leads to premature death. (I have had many asthma attacks in the recent past...I'm talking recent months, and they have been extreme). NOONE should have to live with the fear of dying from drowning from lack of oxygen on a daily basis. Not getting enough air in the body affects many other areas of a persons well-being. It affects brain function and affects other bodily functions. I am a 40 year old, full-time working mother of two young boys. I have suffered from bronchial asthma for the past 5 years and it continually is worsening, to a point where my asthma medications are no longer assisting my breathing (and I am on nearly everything available for asthmatics). As my asthma is quickly becoming worse, I fear that I will not live to see my children have families of their own and I will become a burden to society as I will soon find myself on an oxygen tank and housebound. I have a zest for life and living it to the fullest, but the air quality has hampered my contact with the outdoors in a major way. If the air quality is poor or near poor, I am unable to exercise outdoors or even sometimes spend time in my car on the road. I am seriously looking for other areas of America to live due to the extreme pollution of my area, but I am finding that there aren't many suitable areas to go to. Everywhere is being affected. Pollution from trucks and buses result in an estimated 1,500 premature deaths and more than 38,000 asthma attacks annually. Equally important, truck drivers are 1.5 to 2 times as likely as workers not exposed to diesel exhaust to develop lung cancer during their lives. To protect the health of all Californians, I urge the California Air Resources Board to adopt the strongest possible diesel truck regulations. Please consider my voice. Thank you for your time. Heidi Combs (661) 243-7523 Bakersfield, California |
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Date and Time Comment Was Submitted | 2008-12-08 12:47:55 |
If you have any questions or comments please contact Clerk of the Board at (916) 322-5594.