A recent eye-opening study by the USA Today of nearly 128,000 schools across the nation unveiled some disturbing facts about local Long Beach schools. The study, The Smokestack Effect, mapped levels of dangerous chemicals surrounding schools to determine which had the best and worst air quality. America’s worst of the worst can be found on the East Coast, but some Long Beach schools did not fare much better.
Stephens Middle School was ranked as the worst air quality in Los Angeles County, ranking in the nation’s 3rd percentile. The USA Today alarmingly cites sulfuric acid as accounting for 49% of the overall toxicity problem, followed by chromium and carbonyl sulfide, among others. According to the study, sulfuric acid inhalation can cause tooth erosion and respiratory tract irritation.
Better yet, the study points to the roots of the problem, naming nearby sources of the pollution. Let’s give a standing ovation to BP West Coast Products, whose nearby Carson factory was top of the “Polluters most responsible for toxics outside this school” list in the study. See the Stephens Middle School stat sheet and map of surrounding schools and factories, here.
In fact, Long Beach schools accounted for six of the county’s ten worst rankings. Colin L. Powell Academy For Success was the county’s second-worst, followed by United Faith Community, Garfield Elementary, Hudson Elementary and St. Lucy’s School.
Also noted for their harmful emissions were a local Shell Oil sulfur recovery plant, a Chemoil Terminals tank farm, Rhodia Inc. of Carson and a Shell Oil refinery.
UPDATE: LBUSD representative Dick Van Der Laan called the lbpost.com to say that the District reviewed the USA Today story earlier today and that they will be looking into the current state of the air quality at its schools.
“We will be taking a careful look at this 2005 computer-generated study, and want to have AQMD verify the actual air quality now,” Van Der Laan said.
By Ryan ZumMallen, Managing Editor