Uncovering the Invisible: The Impact of Air Pollution in Imperial Beach
We are a group of dedicated students, many of us from Mar Vista High School in Imperial Beach. This past semester, we had the incredible opportunity to collaborate with scientists from UC San Diego’s Airborne Institute, diving into the world of air sensors to gain a better understanding of the air we breathe. Through our efforts, we delved into recording particulate matter counts and capturing the effects of air and water quality on our daily lives.
Imperial Beach, not so long ago, was a bustling community cherished by residents and visitors alike. Our beach was a hub of activity, a place where families gathered, and tourists vacationed. It was a pristine location where everyone could enjoy activities like surfing, dog surf competitions, and sandcastle building.
However, in recent years, significant changes have taken place. Severe water pollution stemming from malfunctioning sewage plants in Tijuana and the United States has led to the closure of our beaches, impacting our community on multiple levels – economically, physically, and mentally. The pollution even extends to our air quality, a silent yet potent force. Pollutants from the ocean seep into the air, and residents of Imperial Beach find themselves breathing compromised air, even far from the shore.
As youth advisers to UCSD’s Airborne Institute, we set out to understand the impact of this binational public health crisis on our community. One of us documented how the pollution has adversely affected local businesses and tourism, while another explored the connection between air quality and housing costs. Our friends and family shared stories of increased health issues such as migraines and asthma attacks following significant rainfall events, confirming what our community has been vocal about in terms of the pollution’s effects.
The data we collected is groundbreaking in its scope, shedding light on the scarcity of information surrounding the issue. There are no U.S. Environmental Protection Agency stations monitoring particulate matter in Imperial Beach, and existing citizen science projects lack sufficient coverage in our area. The lack of monitoring directly impacts our ability to address the problem effectively. We celebrate the county’s allocation of funds to investigate this issue and have posed crucial questions for further research in our community.
Key Questions for Investigation:
- How can we garner outside support and awareness?
- What roles do capitalism and industry play in the pollution crisis?
- How can we foster solidarity instead of assigning blame?
- Where is the financial investment directed?
- How can the community actively engage beyond spreading awareness?
Clean air should be a non-negotiable priority for all levels of government. This issue transcends local boundaries, affecting millions on both sides of the international border. Air pollution knows no borders; we breathe the same air and must collectively address the problem. Rather than assigning blame, we must unite to find solutions.
In addition to ongoing testing for pathogens and chemicals in the air and water, we advocate for:
- Improved ventilation and filtration in indoor spaces, particularly schools
- Transparency in government budget allocations
- Funding for sewage plant repairs
- Greater community involvement in advocacy efforts
Unlike food labels that indicate quality, air lacks a visible indicator of its purity. We must rally together, regardless of where we reside, to raise awareness and implement lasting solutions for Imperial Beach. We share one planet and must act as responsible stewards. Everyone deserves access to clean air and water.
The Youth Climate Advisors, predominantly Mar Vista High School students, collaborated with UC San Diego researchers to examine the impact of the Tijuana sewage crisis on Imperial Beach. Members include Adam Reid, Celeste Bonilla, Jesus Chavarria, Arayah Mullins, Joshua Nungaray, Erika Preciado, Daniel Garcia, Melina Jimenez Esparza, and Navya Arora from Elite Academy. Teacher Katrine Czajkowski and UC San Diego researchers Rebecca Fielding-Miller, Kimberly Prather, Beatriz Klimeck, and Marlene Flores also contributed to this initiative.
