Air pollution can affect our everyday lives in many ways.  We would love to hear your story so we can share it with others.  Please send us your story to yourstory@aqmd.gov and include your name, phone number, address, city, and zip code.

I'm a Middle School Teacher and there is always a handful of students with asthma in each of my classes. It is sad to see kids missing school days because they had asthma attacks. It is very upsetting to hear from kids that they spent time in the hospital because of asthma. It is very worrisome to see kids who do not have the medical care to take care of it. It is not only inner city kids who are affected by it but kids from the West side too. Let's make a change to our air quality.

Sylvie Asselin

The pollution from trucks and ship emissions in the LA Port has impacted my health and the health of students at Barton Hill Elementary School. I have just retired as a teacher from the school above and have witnessed an increase in children and teachers with flu, allergies and asthma problems over the last ten years. Your agency needs to be responsible in protecting our health for all who work or go to school on the harbor's edge. Please do something.

Martha A. McKinzie

Previously I was living and working in Torrance without much of any health considerations. Then I changed jobs and living locations. I lived in San Pedro and worked in Long Beach. Through the course of 7 years I ended up with the following: 1. Chronic Bronchitis, every month; 2. Chronic Fatigue; 3. Chronic Sinusitis; and; 4. I could not even take a deep breath without coughing. I would visit a doctor at least twice a month. After going to over seven separate doctors, I was given medications for the symptoms. After my own analysis, I finally realized what the problem was; my 30 minute drive to and from work, breathing truck exhaust. I was driving across Terminal Island, then north on the 710 freeway. My solution was to roll up all the car windows and to use the recirculation feature on my car's ventilation system. One month later, no more visits needed to the doctor and over time all symptoms were gone.

Regards,
Greg Fields, San Pedro, CA