Adding to the growing evidence of the health harms of freeways and auto-dependency, a recent study highlighted by Infrastructurist found that particulate matter from freeways triggers the fight or flight response in humans:

Scientists at the University of Michigan, led by Dr. Robert Brook, found that [polluted air] can increase your blood pressure, and cause unhealthy changes in your blood vessels that last for hours and perhaps even days. […] [Study] participants were exposed in the lab to the same amount of particulates and ozone that would be found near a local highway. People who breathed in polluted air registered higher blood-pressure readings a short time after exposure and their blood vessels showed impairment as long as 24 hours later.

There is this place

that does not consist of race.

Where we care about our sea

that is not full of debris.

Where there is understanding

in everything being demanding.

Where we are not concern

but eager to learn.

Where we are the changers

and not the strangers.

Where buses do not pollute

and cars are at a mute.

This is a place for me

where we all ought to be.

Sparks of beauty or sparks of pollution?

Have you ever looked beyond the sparks? Because if you did you would have realized that you are creating more pollution. Last night while looking at the fireworks, I noticed the thick layer of smoke going into the air. People may think that the flashing lights and sparks are something great to see, but what are the consequences behind it?

You might not know that all those colorful explosives used to celebrate special occasions pose a serious environmental and health danger from heavy metals and other toxic firework fallout. For example, according to this site, the propellant that shoots the fireworks into the air uses  perchlorate, which can contaminate drinking waters and cause thyroid problems in humans and animals.  The brilliant whites use aluminum, which can cause contact dermatitis, and the disruption of our environment with bioaccumulation. Our theme parks are the biggest problem because they have huge displays of fireworks daily. As a solution I think we should have more theme parks like Disneyland that use air to shoot the fireworks.

the environment i live in is not what it used to be. it was once a neighborhood where there were happy children laughing and playing. now that the los angeles airport has begun expanding, families of color have been forced to relocate due to the demolishing of their houses and apartments. now when i walk outside i see lands of nothing and bulldozers knocking down buildings and dust and ashes flying everywhere contributing to my health issues. i’m sure the city does not care.

South Central Farmers will be at City Hall on Friday Morning “to demand fair and equitable treatment for South Central residents and Farmers in the face of continuing City privileges for developer Ralph Horowitz.”

The proposed siting of a Forever 21 Shipping Center in the already environmentally overburdened neighborhoods of South Central is an egregious environmental injustice.  The the 2500 daily truck trips it is projected to generate would harm neighborhoods of color that are already subject to a disproportionately high number of polluters.  It doesn’t make sense to build another warehouse, especially on the grounds of what was a vibrant community resource, when port traffic is down and warehouse vacancies are up.  To compound these injustices, the City of Los Angeles is now granting an indefinite extension on the environmental planning documents for the shipping center.  Learn more here.

On Saturday, the third anniversary of the farm being bulldozed, South Central Farmers will host a reunion complete with food, music, and guerilla theater.  More: South Central Farmers