Air Pollution: Over 150 LA Child Care Centers Dangerously Close To Freeways

Child care centers aim to start early childhood education. However, around 169 child care centers in Los Angeles are located dangerously close to freeways. Although there are safety measures placed to protect children from traffic, there is one more thing that parents should be concerned about.

The Dangers Of Los Angeles Freeways

KPCC investigated that 169 Los Angeles child care centers are within 500 feet of freeways. These buildings are against the 2003 set guidelines of the state which prohibit building institutions within that zone.

Freeways are also rife with thousands of cars and trucks every day that could pose possible dangers for children playing outside child care centers. There is also the concern of air pollution coming from the traffic which is harmful for children.

The Impact of Air Pollution

Los Angeles is densely populated with children and young adults due to births and migration. UCLA reports that there are over 2.7 million children, which makes up of 25 percent of the young population in California.

Air pollution is becoming an increasing problem in Los Angeles. With that come the adverse health effects on infants, young children and pregnant women. Traffic pollution exposure can cause children to have asthma, autism and have brain, lung, and immune system conditions.

As for prematurely-born infants, they may have developmental problems and might be at risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Pregnant women exposed to air pollution may be at risk for premature childbirth as well.

Definitive. Air pollution stunts children's health, study finds - via @Telegraph https://t.co/4gXrTWTnM6

— Jonathan Parfrey (@jparfrey) October 25, 2015

Are Trees Enough To Diminish Air Pollution?

A USC researcher told KPCC that trees can help diminish harmful traffic pollution particles. However, it is not enough as there are "ultra-fine particles" that can get through.

"Tree cover, foliage, fences, shrubbery, buildings, will all affect to some extent the flow patterns of air and in some ways provide a surface for the particles to adhere to and deposit on," the researcher said.

Some preschools do take measures to protect children from air pollution. In addition to growing shrubs and trees, some let children inside the child care centers with filtration systems when there are air quality warnings. However, many find this safety measure to be expensive.

The most ideal solution would be to move, but affordable locations that are far from freeways is not doable with their current budget. Furthermore, there is also the issue of space. Low-income families with pre-school children in particular are the ones that suffer the most.

A plan by a group of east LA mothers proposed to close a part of the Terminal Island Freeway. However, businesses pointed out that the particular route is essential to their interests. So they successfully proposed a ban on diesel trucks instead.