Does Bakersfield have bad air quality?
In its 2020 air quality report, Bakersfield ranked: #1 for annual particle pollution out of 203 metropolitan areas. #2 for 24-hour particle pollution out of 217 metropolitan areas. #3 for high ozone days out of 228 metropolitan areas.
What’s the air quality like in Bakersfield today?
Bakersfield-California Avenue, Kern, California Air Pollution: Real-time Air Quality Index (AQI)
| Current | Max | |
|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 AQI | 17 | 72 |
| PM10 AQI | 43 | 53 |
| O3 AQI | 20 | 33 |
| NO2 AQI | 1 | 8 |
Is Bakersfield the most polluted city?
The Bakersfield metropolitan area was ranked first for annual particle pollution out of 204 other metro areas, according to the report. It ranked second for high-ozone days and third in 24-hour particle pollution.
Is Bakersfield air quality improving?
In 2020, the percentage change in the median air quality index for Bakersfield increased 20.9 percent, according to the report, which was compiled from data released by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. An area’s AQI is essentially a “yardstick” that goes from 0 to 500, according to AirNow.gov, an EPA website.
Why is Bakersfield CA so bad?
So what makes the pollution in Bakersfield so horrible? The answer lies in its booming petroleum industry. In fact, Kern County where the city is located produces 66% of all oil in the state of California and 10% of the oil supply in the United States.
What is the smell in Bakersfield?
Oil fields make up most of the view from the top of the bluffs, and the scent of petroleum is often detectable around the city. Dairies populated by hundreds of thousands of cows are scattered throughout the region, and their smell, too, is hard to miss.
Is Bakersfield toxic?
Bakersfield has made yet another “run for your lives” list, this time ranking No. 2 on Forbes.com’s list of the “most toxic cities” in the United States.
Is Bakersfield a good area to live?
The annual report is based on the quality of life, desirability, job market, value and housing. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — The U.S. News World Report’s has just released its top places to live in 2019 — and Bakersfield made the cut.
Is Bakersfield poor?
The poverty rate in Bakersfield is 19.2%. One out of every 5.2 residents of Bakersfield lives in poverty. How many people in Bakersfield, California live in poverty? 70,771 of 369,380 Bakersfield residents reported income levels below the poverty line in the last year.
Why are homes in Bakersfield so cheap?
The reason why housing is much more affordable in Bakersfield than in any other area is that the city does not have the same income earning potential as surrounding areas. In turn, the housing demand is not as strong hence the prices are lower.