Air quality in Oroville

What is the current level of air pollution in Oroville?

Oroville is the county seat of Butte County, California. According to a census conducted in 2010, Oroville had an estimated population of 15,500 people, which was over 2000 more than the previous one in 2000.

Towards the middle of 2021, Oroville was experiencing a period of “Good” quality air with a US AQI reading of just 21. This United States Air Quality Index number is an internationally used set of metrics supported by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and is used to compare the quality of air in different cities throughout the world using comparable standards. It is calculated by using the levels of the six most commonly found pollutants. If figures are not all available for all six then the figure is calculated using what information is available. In the case of Oroville, the only measured pollutant was PM2.5 which was 5.2 µg/m³.

With a level as good as this, doors and windows can be opened to allow the flow of clean, fresh air into the rooms. All forms of outdoor activities can be enjoyed without fear.

At the current time, Oroville is ranked as number 22 out of the dirtiest cities in the USA.

There is not a large amount of industrial activity in Oroville, instead most of the economy is driven by tourism. It has a very strategic location close to the recreational facilities at Lake Oroville and the Feather River areas. The neighboring city of Chico is currently undergoing a spurt in growth in its retail, education and technological sectors. This had led to an influx of commuters to Oroville who are attracted by the lower cost of living and pleasant environment.

The Oroville Dam is the tallest dam in the US and one of the 20 largest dams in the world. The lake which formed behind the dam has 167 miles of shoreline and hosts numerous leisure pastimes such as camping, picnicking, horse riding, hiking, sail and power boating, water-skiing, fishing and swimming.

Does the level of air pollution in Oroville stay the same throughout the year?

Air quality is very volatile as it can be affected by many variables, such as wind speed and direction strength and length of sunlight and also from the different seasons of the year.

Looking back at the figures published by the Swiss air monitoring company IQAir.com it can be seen that from March until the end of July, Oroville achieved the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) target figure of 10 µg/m³ or less. During May the recorded figure was very low at just 3 µg/m³, but even the highest figure for these months was during March when it was 5.8 µg/m³. Unfortunately, it was a very different picture during September when the air quality was “Unhealthy” with a reading of 90.4 µg/m³. August was slightly better with a recorded figure of 36.8 µg/m³ which classified it as being “Unhealthy for sensitive groups”. The remaining 5 months of the year saw Oroville experience “Moderate” quality air with figures between 12.1 and 35.4 µg/m³. Historically, air quality records were recorded in 2019 when the figure was 7.2 µg/m³, but in 2020 the figure was 22.1 µg/m³ which pushed it into the “Moderate” group.

However, this may not be a truly accurate reading because of the restrictions imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many vehicles were no longer used as the drivers were furloughed and not required to commute to and from work. There were also many factories and other non-essential production units which were temporarily closed in an attempt to prevent the spread of the virus.

What has been done over the last few years to improve the air quality in Oroville?

Between 1970 and 2018, the U.S. gross domestic product increased by 275 percent, vehicle miles traveled increased 191 percent, energy consumption increased by 49 percent, and the U.S. population increased by 60 percent. During the same time period, total emissions of the six principal air pollutants dropped by 74 percent.

The Balanced Mode Circulation Plan guides the development of bicycle and pedestrian facilities in Oroville. By encouraging and supporting walking and bicycling for both recreation and transportation, the Plan promotes healthy lifestyles and supports the City’s sustainability goals.

Downtown Oroville is very pedestrian-friendly, with newly added curb ramps, bollards, planters, pedestrian-scale lighting, special crosswalk paving to slow vehicles, and street furniture to allow visitors to sit and spend time along the street.

What are the main sources of the polluted air in Oroville?

It would seem that smoke from wildfires accounts for a large percentage of air pollution experienced by Oroville. January 2021 was recorded as one of the driest months on record and consequently, the number of fires recorded were up to five times higher than in other years. The 2021 California fire season has been estimated to be worse than the 2020 season due to the lack of rain and snow. As of 11^th June, twice as many acres have burned compared to the previous year through that date.

In 2020 the total of 4.4 million acres burned — about 4 percent of the state — producing so much smoke that there was more air pollution throughout the American West from the wild burning of a forest than from all other human and industrial activity in the region combined. More than 4 million acres burned, impacting thousands of homes and businesses and blanketing our sky with unhealthy smoke-filled air. Such an event made the air quality unbearable for many weeks.

To what extent does air pollution from wildfires affect the residents of Oroville?

Wildfire smoke contains many air pollutants, including particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and ozone that are known to cause health issues. Particulate matter can trigger respiratory problems and asthma. Smoke can irritate the eyes and airways, causing cough, a dry scratchy throat, runny nose, trouble breathing, and irritated sinuses.

Most smoke is a mix of very small liquid droplets and solid particles that become suspended in the air and can remain airborne for up to a week. When we talk about particle pollution, we are referring to inhalable “Particulate Matter” less than 10 microns in diameter (PM10, also known as coarse particles) and less than 2.5 microns in diameter (PM2.5, also known as fine particles ). The invisible fine particles in smoke are of deep concern because they can travel deeply into the lungs and cause serious health effects, such as aggravated asthma, nose and throat irritation, bronchitis and lung damage. Some particles may even get into the bloodstream and affect the heart. Visible dust and smoke and particles larger than 10 microns can also irritate the eyes, nose, and throat, but are less of a threat to the lungs and heart.

While not everyone has the same sensitivity to wildfire smoke, it’s still a good idea to avoid breathing smoke if you can help it. And when smoke is thick, such as can occur in close proximity to a wildfire, it’s bad for everyone.

What can be done to reduce air pollution in Oroville?

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is actively enforcing heavy-duty diesel vehicle regulations in support of California’s clean air goals. Enforcement of clean diesel vehicle rules also provides a level playing field for those who have already done their part and are in compliance. If your vehicle does not meet state clean air laws, you could be subject to fines or temporarily lose the ability to operate in California. There are many categories to differentiate between different diesel-powered machines, be they vehicles, generators or other items that use diesel as the main fuel source.

Fireplaces and woodstoves are an inefficient way to generate heat. They can turn a large part of your firewood into smoke instead of heat which is very bad for the local environment. Wood burns completely only at very high temperatures. Small, hot fires produce much less smoke and are a much more efficient way to generate heat.

Don’t add particle pollutants to your home by burning wood, gas logs, or even candles or incense. Open your windows and doors when air quality improves to get a clean exchange of air inside your home and car. The table which is published at the top of this page will assist with this decision.

What are the health and environmental effects of air pollution?

These small particulate pollutants can permanently lodge in the deepest and most sensitive areas of the lungs and can aggravate many respiratory illnesses including asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema. High levels of particle pollution have also been associated with a higher incidence of heart problems, including heart attacks. The very fine particles can enter the bloodstream causing premature death in people with heart and lung disease. Health studies have shown that even short-term exposure to elevated levels of PM2.5 air pollution is associated with an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. In addition, scientists are evaluating new studies that suggest that exposure to high particle levels may also be associated with low birth weight in infants, pre-term deliveries, and possibly fetal and infant deaths.

In people with heart disease, short-term exposure has been linked to heart attacks and arrhythmias. Symptoms such as chest pain or tightness, palpitations, shortness of breath, or unusual fatigue may indicate a serious problem.

What effects do vehicles have on air quality in Oroville?

Nearly 50 percent of everyone living in the United States which equates to approximately 150 million people, live in areas that do meet the standards as recommended by the Federal Government. Passenger vehicles and heavy-duty trucks are a large source of this pollution, which includes ozone, particulate matter, and other smog-forming emissions.

The health risks of air pollution are extremely serious. It is estimated that particulate matter is singlehandedly responsible for up to 30,000 premature deaths each year.

Passenger vehicles are a major pollution contributor, producing significant amounts of nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and other pollutants. In 2013, transportation contributed more than half of the carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides, and almost a quarter of the hydrocarbons emitted into the air.

Clean vehicles and the latest fuel technologies provide an affordable, available means of reducing transportation-related air pollution and climate change emissions. This new technology makes the vehicles more fuel-efficient and burns less oil. They also produce fewer emissions because of the cleaner fuels which they burn. Obviously, electric vehicles remove exhaust emissions completely, which must be the way forward.

Air pollution from cars, trucks and buses is split into primary and secondary pollution. Primary pollution is emitted directly into the atmosphere; secondary pollution results from chemical reactions between pollutants already in the atmosphere.

Particulate Matter (PM2.5 and PM10) can be a primary pollutant or a secondary pollutant from hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxides. Diesel exhaust is a major contributor to PM pollution with the black carbon it produces.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are pollutants that react with nitrogen oxides in the presence of sunlight to form ground-level ozone, which is the main ingredient in smog. At ground level ozone irritates the respiratory system, causing coughing, choking, and reduced lung capacity. VOCs emitted from cars, trucks and buses which include the toxic air pollutants benzene, acetaldehyde, and 1,3-butadiene are linked to different types of cancer.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless and poisonous gas that is formed by the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels such as gasoline and is emitted primarily from cars and trucks. When inhaled, carbon monoxide blocks oxygen from the brain, heart and other vital organs.

Sulfur dioxide (SO₂) is created by power plants and motor vehicles by burning sulfur-containing fuels, especially diesel and coal. Sulfur dioxide can react in the atmosphere to form fine particles and, as other air pollutants, poses the largest health risk to young children and asthmatics. Children in particular are at a much higher risk from exhaust fumes as they are so much closer to the polluted air than a taller adult.

Nitrogen oxide (NOx) can cause lung irritation and weaken the body's defenses against respiratory infections such as pneumonia and influenza.

Even the wear and tear of the vehicle tires and brake discs produce particles of rubber that are small enough to become airborne.