Current Air Quality Index

*Visit AirNow to see the current air quality index in your area.

Historical Air Quality Index

The EPA tracks air quality under the Air Quality Index (AQI) measurement based on the number of air pollutants. Scores are between 0 and 500: 0–50 is GOOD, 51–100 MODERATE, 101–150 UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS, and 151+ is UNHEALTHY.

Ozone

This graph shows ground-level ozone concentration trends for the Stockton area. Ground level ozone, a secondary pollutant, occurs when two primary pollutants (nitrogen oxide and volatile organic compounds) react in sunlight and stagnant air. Ozone levels overall have trended downward; San Joaquin County has had the lower overall levels since 1991. Data was obtained from the California Air Resources Control Board's California Almanac of Emissions and Air Quality. 

Asthma and Air Quality

Asthma and air quality are related. Although the region’s unhealthy ozone days have fallen 41% since 2000, the region contains some of the most polluted air. According to the American Lung Association, the Bay Area–Stockton metro area ranked eighth in the nation for particulate mater in 2016. More than 27% of San Joaquin County Community Health Needs Assessment survey respondents reported breathing problems as a top community health concern, and 39% or respondents cited air pollution as a major environmental concern.

As this graph shows, the percentage of children age 1–17 whose parents report an asthma diagnosis is almost 20% higher than that of California. And San Joaquin County adult asthma diagnoses are 7% higher than California.

For more resources on San Joaquin Valley's air quality, check out SJCOG's Air Quality Conformity Program here.

Community Health Needs Assessment

The 2016 Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) is a comprehensive report that informs local decision-makers, key stakeholders, and the community-at-large in collaboration efforts to improve the health and well-being of all San Joaquin County residents. The development of the 2016 CHNA report has been guided by a Core Planning Group and a representative Steering Committee.

Resources

  1. AirNow
  2. American Lung Association: San Joaquin County
  3. American Planning Association
  4. Asthma/Air Quality
  5. CalEPA
  6. Real-time Air Advisory Network
  7. San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District