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U.S. among countries with highest number of children orphaned by COVID-19

Pamela Cruz
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U.S. among countries with highest number of children orphaned by COVID-19
U.S. among countries with most children orphaned by COVID-19

By Pamela Cruz. Peninsula 360 Press [P360P].

Some of the priorities of the COVID-19 pandemic have focused on prevention, early detection and response to this disease, however, it also has devastating social impacts such as orphaned children who have been deprived of their caregivers. 

This is another pandemic that hides children who face adverse consequences inherent to their orphanhood, such as poverty, abuse and institutionalization, so it is critical to accelerate the equitable distribution of vaccines.

According to a study of global estimates of children affected by COVID-19-associated orphanhood, published in the British medical journal The LancetDuring the first 14 months of the pandemic, 1.1 million children would have lost at least one primary caregiver, either a parent or a custodial grandparent, during the first 14 months of the pandemic.

The figure rises to 1.5 million if, in addition to primary caregivers (custodial parents and grandparents), secondary caregivers are considered, including other family members between the ages of 60 and 84 living in the same household who also help with parenting.

"Studies like this one play a crucial role in illuminating the lasting consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic for families and the future mental health of children around the world," said National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Director Nora Volkow, who funded part of the work.

In the U.S., the number of children who lost their primary caregivers is 104,884, of whom 75,645 lost a father, 29,222 lost a mother, 4,172 lost a grandmother and 4,618 lost a grandfather.

Among some of the repercussions of the death of a parent or caregiver is an increased risk of mental health problems in the child, as well as physical, emotional and sexual violence, and family economic hardship. 

According to research, these adverse experiences also increase the risks of suicide, infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, teen pregnancy, and chronic illness. 

The study, with data from 21 countries, estimates that in places such as Peru, South Africa, Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Iran, the United States, Argentina and Russia, the mortality rate for primary caregivers was at least one per 1,000 children.

"While the trauma a child experiences after the loss of a parent or caregiver can be devastating, there are evidence-based interventions that can prevent subsequent adverse consequences, such as substance use, and we must ensure that children have access to this care," Vokow added.

Mexico is the country with the most children orphaned by COVID-19

According to the study published in The Lancet, Mexico became the country with the highest number of orphans due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with 131,325 children who lost at least one primary caregiver. 

When those children whose primary caregivers were grandparents or older adults living with them -secondary caregivers- are added, the figure rises to 141,132 children who were orphaned.

Between March 1, 2020 and April 30, 2021, the study notes that 33,342 children were left motherless, 97,951 were left fatherless, and 32 were left without both parents. 

In addition, 4,429 children lost their grandmother, 5,342 lost their grandfather, and 36 lost both grandparents.

You may be interested in: Second Dose of COVID-19 Vaccine Should Not Be Skipped: Study

California expands Medi-Cal to 50+ regardless of immigration status

Pamela Cruz
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California expands Medi-Cal to 50+ regardless of immigration status
Medi-Cal

California has become the first state in the country to expand the Medi-Cal assistance program to low-income people age 50 and older, regardless of their immigration status.

Gavin Newsom signed into law this morning a bill that cements California's path to universal health care coverage.

Thus, the health care bill, AB 133, will focus on more equitable and prevention-focused health care through expanded initiatives that support California's youth and people with serious behavioral challenges, including those experiencing homelessness.

It also extends Medi-Cal eligibility for postpartum individuals; supports the "telehealth" program; and advances the statewide CalAIM initiative. This multi-year initiative of the Department of Health Care Services runs from 2022 to 2027 and aims to improve the quality of life and health outcomes of Californians through the implementation of a comprehensive service delivery system.

"We are investing California's historic surplus to bring about the transformative changes we have long dreamed of, including this historic expansion of Medi-Cal to ensure that thousands of older undocumented Californians, many of whom have been serving on the front lines of the pandemic, can access critical health care services," Newsom said. 

According to AB 133, approximately 235,000 Californians age 50 and older are eligible for Medi-Cal, including preventive services, long-term care, and in-home supportive services. 

In 2019, California became the first state to extend the coverage Medi-Cal to all eligible undocumented young adults up to age 26. With today's expansion, the state has the most inclusive health coverage for low-income people in the country. 

AB 133 also extends the period of Medi-Cal postpartum care from 60 days to 12 months without requiring a mental health diagnosis, even for eligible undocumented Californians.

Battle against COVID-19 continues

Following the bill signing in Fresno, Newsom highlighted the state's multi-pronged strategy to reach communities with low vaccination rates. The first-in-the-nation measures announced yesterday will require all state workers, health care workers and those in high-risk settings to show proof of full vaccination or get tested at least once a week. 

In response, he encouraged local governments and businesses to adopt similar measures amid the growing threat of the Delta variant.

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Indoor facemasks to be mandatory in San Mateo County

Pamela Cruz
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Indoor facemasks to be mandatory in San Mateo County
coronavirus covid-2019 Girl in mask fear

By Pamela Cruz. Peninsula 360 Press [P360P].

In an effort to protect public health, effective July 26, San Mateo County is requiring all employees and visitors to County facilities to wear facemasks due to a troubling increase in COVID-19 cases.

As rates of positive cases rise, and the prevalence of the highly transmissible Delta variant increases, health officials in the Bay Area have recommended that everyone wear masks indoors, regardless of their vaccination status. 

This variant of the virus is more contagious and spreads more easily and rapidly than others: it has become the dominant strain in California and now accounts for more than 80 percent of cases nationwide.

The facemask requirement is similar to the guidelines in place before the state reopened on June 15 and does not apply to businesses, other government agencies or private employers of any kind throughout San Mateo County. 

County-operated facilities include the Hall of Justice in Redwood City, primary health care and behavioral health clinics, San Mateo Medical Center, vital records, Sheriff's Office and substations, Human Services Agency offices, Child Support Services and all other public operations. 

Residents can find a complete list of apartments in the link below. https://www.smcgov.org/departments.

"The rising number of cases is a stark reminder that we're not done with COVID and it's not done with us. Let's all continue to do our part by getting vaccinated and taking common sense precautions so we can keep everyone safe," said County Administrator Mike Callagy.

He also expressed his condolences to all those who have lost a loved one to the pandemic.  

On the other hand, officials encouraged businesses, other government agencies and private employers of any kind to require their employees and visitors to wear face masks, although they are free to set their own requirements and follow state, federal and industry-specific guidelines.


Vaccines have been shown to be highly effective against COVID-19, but county officials still said steps must be taken to protect younger children and public health in general as cases increase.

It should be noted that on June 15, the day the state reopened, County Health recorded 13 new COVID-19 cases, a number that increased to 74 by July 15, and the trend is not looking good.

In the last seven days, the average number of cases per 100,000 people is 5.2, while in mid-June it was 1.3.

The latest test positivity rate is 2.6 percent, up from about 0.4 percent a month ago.

To date, County Health has identified 43,444 positive COVID-19 cases throughout San Mateo County and 584 deaths.

A week ago, on July 14, four people were hospitalized with COVID-19. There are now 15 people with the virus in the hospital, six of them in the intensive care unit.

However, vaccinations are widely available in San Mateo County: they can be found at county-sponsored clinics, community clinics, private health care providers, pharmacies, and other locations.

The county and its partners operate immunization clinics from Daly City to East Palo Alto, and dates, times, and locations can be found on the county's website at County Health.

Vaccination is available for residents 12 years of age and older with the Pfizer brand. While those 18 and older can also opt for the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

For residents 12-17 years of age to be vaccinated, they must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at the vaccination clinic or bring a signed copy of the vaccination consent form.

You may be interested in: Second dose of COVID-19 vaccine should not be skipped.

COVID-19 showed gaps in quality Internet access

Peninsula 360 Press
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COVID-19 showed gaps in quality Internet access
internet access
Christian Carlos. Peninsula 360 Press [P360P].

The new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus that causes COVID-19 disease - first reported, according to scientific research, in the central Wuhan region of China - forced the World Health Organization (WHO) to set the start of the COVID-19 pandemic for March 11, 2020.

Since then, governments in different parts of the world established new health safety measures that, to date, have changed people's habits; in addition to biosecurity measures, people were urged to stay at home and work remotely, that is, to assume a scheme of teleworking and online classes.

However, it was not until the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic confinement that the lack of access to the Internet and information and communication technologies increased because most families now had to move their lifestyles to the comfort of their homes in such a short period of time.

The quarantine brought to light the first digital parity issues; for example, how many people in a household can be connected to the Internet at the same time, how many Internet-capable devices exist in a household, and how many of them are capable of performing the tasks efficiently that were previously done in structured workplaces, such as an office, or school in classrooms.

For this reason, Ethnic Media Servicesheld an informative session in order to address current issues and seek possible solutions to the growing digital divide.

Angela Siefer, executive director of the National Alliance for Digital Inclusion, said that the new public policies on digital issues, take advantage of the context to promote an agenda where broadband Internet is considered a basic part of the communications infrastructure in the U.S. She urged the local population to approach their governors because, she said, they should already have information and budgets of the U.S. rescue fund due to the pandemic of COVID-19 that was approved during the first half of 2021. "It's about people having access to the Internet in their homes," Siefer said.

Sunne Wright McPeak, president and CEO of the California Emerging Technology Fund -CETF- who said that the fund is working for broadband Internet access to be considered a fundamental human right, as it is linked to the right of access to information, as stated by the United Nations -UN-.

"However, in addition to being considered a fundamental human right, it should also be considered a civil right," said Wright, who said that while the infrastructure in the state of California is adequate, not everyone has access to it or knows how to use it. "The digital divide is also a product of the economic divide and the opportunity divide. Sunne Wright McPeak said this divide reflects "systemic racism. She concluded by asserting that "no ISP is a trusted messenger" in the move towards social internet connectivity.

Finally, it was noted that 91 percent of the Californian population is already surfing the broadband Internet, compared to 2008 figures, when only 51 percent of the population had access; however, only 6 percent can currently connect through a smartphone and does not have another device to connect to the Internet. This exceeds the 2022 target of 90 percent.

In contrast, the CETF noted that 1 in 4 people of Latino origin do not have the ability to access the Internet or their access is very limited compared to other ethnic groups. In addition, it was noted that 23 percent of households that generate less than $20,000 per year have gone without an Internet connection for an extended period of time and consider residential broadband Internet access to be too costly, above other reasons, such as privacy concerns.

Activist ends hunger strike after 19 days, her demands will be heard

Pamela Cruz
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0
Activist ends hunger strike after 19 days, her demands will be heard
By Pamela Cruz. Peninsula 360 Press [P360]

After 19 days on strike, Hmong community activist Zurg Xiong lifted his hunger strike to demand an investigation into the killing of farmer Soobleej Hawj by Siskiyou County police officers in late June.

With snacks and "the best donut in the world," according to the activist, Xiong ended his hunger strike on the afternoon of July 23 after California Attorney General Rob Bonta's office agreed to investigate Hawj's death.

In an interview with Ethnic Media Services -EMSXiong said he lost consciousness at many points during his three-week hunger strike, in addition to experiencing palpitations, a dramatic drop in blood pressure, slurred speech, neuropathy in his legs and general weakness.

"My health was getting to a point where I might not have been able to recover. After the second week, there were many times when I thought I was going to die," she said.

Xiong was willing to die if necessary in order to obtain justice for his community.

On July 23, Xiong appeared at an EMS press conference along with activists Hmong Tong Xiong and Tou Ger Xiong; during the forum and visibly in poor health, Xiong presented his demands, which included an independent investigation into the killing of Hawj, who was shot at least 24 times, as well as the release of all video footage of the incident obtained by body and patrol cameras.

Xiong noted at that press conference that the Siskiyou County Sheriff's Office withheld information about the shooting on June 28 and did not release Hawj's name until July 14. Since then, the authorities have not released any further information.

During the same session, Assemblyman David Chiu considered the demand for an independent investigation because, he said, it is necessary to know how and why this death occurred. "A human being lost his life and we all deserve to know why," he said.

He added that there is a "fundamentally" broken relationship between the Hmong community, Siskiyou County, and the law enforcement officers sworn to protect them, a situation that occurs "when law enforcement does not have a connection to or understanding of the communities they serve."

Just minutes after the press conference ended, the Xiongs and their attorney Nancy Ly received a call from Michael Redding, Bonta's special assistant, who told them that the DA's office was aware of the situation and had received many calls and e-mails asking for an investigation into Hawj's death.

However, "no promises were made about conducting an investigation," Ly said, but it was noted that possible discrimination against Asian Americans in Siskiyou County would be looked into.

Meanwhile, the Attorney General's office issued a statement, indicating that its role in a possible investigation would be limited. 

"Generally speaking, our role in automatically assuming jurisdiction over officer-involved shootings is limited to specific incidents resulting in the death of an unarmed civilian that occurred after July 1, 2021," the document details.

He added that incidents like this "are generally handled by local police and district attorneys who have the resources in their local jurisdictions to handle them. 

"Our direct involvement at this stage generally only occurs under certain exceptional circumstances, for example, if there is a conflict of interest that prevents local authorities from handling the matter," he stresses.

Zurg Xiong has made it clear that "if we don't see meaningful action, I will go on hunger strike again.

Racism and attacks, the bread and butter of the AAPI community

The region has a long history of racism, said Sacramento City Councilwoman Mai Vang, who bluntly called the police shooting a murder. 

"The tragic murder of the father of three cannot be isolated from the discriminatory policies and racist practices that have been occurring over the years in this county," he said. 

Asian-American journalist Helen Zia, seconding Vang, explained that Asian Americans have long been invisibilized by public officials, political leaders, the education system and the criminal justice system, "which has allowed injustice and racism to occur without accountability.

It is worth noting that according to the Stop AAPI Hate website, since March 2020, 6,600 incidents have been reported against the Asian-American and Pacific Islander community, mainly motivated by prejudice, said Manju Kulkarni, co-founder of the organization.

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Pink offers to pay fine to Norwegian handball team who refused to wear bikinis

Josué Karim Moreno
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Pink offers to pay fine to Norwegian handball team who refused to wear bikinis
Pink offers to pay fine to Norwegian team
By Josué Karim. Peninsula 360 Press [P360P]

The singer and songwriter Pink offered to pay the fine imposed on the members of the Norwegian women's handball team, who refused to wear bikinis during an official tournament as part of a protest against the sexist charge on their official uniforms.

A few days ago, the women's team was fined a total of 1,500 euros (approximately 1,765 dollars) for wearing shorts during the bronze medal match at the European Handball Championship in Varna, Bulgaria.

The team's players sought to highlight the sexist distinction made between men and women in the sport, as the dress code for men specifies that they must wear tank tops and shorts.

While for women the code mandates that they must wear a blouse and bikini "with a tight fit and cut at an upward angle towards the upper leg. The side width must be a maximum of 10 centimetres.

The American singer commented on her Twitter account that she was very proud of the Norwegian women's beach handball team for protesting the rules, which she considers "very sexist".

The singer added that "the European handball federation should be sanctioned for sexism. Good for you ladies," so Pink will be happy to pay the fine. "Keep it up".

The Norwegian Handball Federation (NHF) agreed to pay the fine for each athlete and through their social networks expressed that they are very proud of the team that raised their voices and made themselves heard.

"We in the Norwegian Handball Association support them. Together we will continue to fight to change the international dress regulations, so that the players go out in the uniform they feel most comfortable in."

Meanwhile, the European Handball Federation (EHF) announced that the dress codes will be reviewed and everything possible will be done to ensure that a change in the rules of the athletes' uniforms can be implemented.

"Significant efforts will be made to continue to promote the sport in the best possible way for all, regardless of gender," he concluded.

NFL Teams To Be Sanctioned For COVID-19 Outbreaks

Josué Karim Moreno
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0
NFL Teams To Be Sanctioned For COVID-19 Outbreaks
By Josué Karim. Peninsula 360 Press [P360P]

The commissioner of the National Football League (NFL), Roger Goodell, warned through a memorandum that different sanctions will be imposed on teams, in case there is any outbreak of COVID-19 during the regular season, due to players who are not vaccinated.

According to ESPN, the teams could lose the game, and even their respective winnings, if an outbreak of COVID-19 among unvaccinated players were the cause of an unresolvable disruption in the regular season schedule.

Thus, in the event a game is cancelled, the team that suffered the outbreak would be responsible for any shortfall in league revenue sharing, would be credited with a loss for playoff qualification purposes, and the opposing team would be declared the winner of the game.

"These operating principles are designed to allow us to play a full season safely and responsibly, as well as address potential competitive or financial issues in a fair manner," Goodell warned.

In turn, players who are not vaccinated will be subject to strict protocols during training camp and the regular season, including daily testing, the use of masks and travel restrictions.

As of Thursday, Godell reported that more than 75 percent of NFL players had already received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Meanwhile, more than half of the league's teams have a vaccination rate of more than 80 percent and 16 teams have achieved a rate of 85 percent or higher.

Reluctance Among NFL Players to Vaccinate COVID-19 

No doubt the measures taken by the NFL to avoid contagions during this season have not been to the liking of some players and coaches in the league, especially for those who do not want to receive the vaccine.

For Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott, despite having received the vaccine, his decision should not make others feel obligated to do so, as it is a complicated issue and "you can't force someone to do something they don't want to do with their body."

"I grew up in a family that didn't vaccinate, so it's hard to tell someone whose mom and dad told them their whole life not to get vaccinated to get vaccinated now. It's everyone's body, you can't tell them what to do with it," she said.

Meanwhile, Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins complained on Twitter Thursday about the league's stance on the snaps, and even said he was considering retirement; however, minutes later he deleted his post. 

Other teams have taken more drastic measures, such as the Minnesota Vikings, who decided to cut their offensive line coach, Rick Dennison, after he decided to refuse the COVID-19 vaccine. 

With information from ESPN

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Empathic resonance, the key to helping others without getting dragged down by their problems

Peninsula 360 Press
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Empathic resonance, the key to helping others without getting dragged down by their problems
Gloria Sanchez Aguilar. Peninsula 360 Press [P360P]

The emotional connection we make with the people around us is powerful food for the soul. We all need understanding and validation. To feel that there is at least one other person in the universe who understands and supports us.

However, in a hyperconnected society like the one we live in, we are indeed more and more connected, but also more absent and, therefore, more lonely. Many people are physically present, but mentally and emotionally distant. They nod absentmindedly while looking at their cell phones. They forget the conversation because they never engaged in it.

Of course, we can't connect emotionally when our heads are elsewhere. Empathic resonance, on the other hand, involves connecting with the other person's inner world to give them the support they need.

What exactly is empathic resonance?

The concept of empathic resonance has its roots in Humanistic Psychology. It implies a deeper form of interpersonal relationship because it involves what the other person expresses: what he/she says, what he/she is silent about, that is, what he/she expresses with words and with his/her body language.

Unlike empathy, empathic resonance does not involve stepping aside to put ourselves in the other person's shoes but using our "I" to connect with that other person in the most receptive way possible to their experiences, feelings and ideas, but without losing sight of the fact that the other person is the one to whom the feelings belong.

Empathic resonance does not imply being "identical" to the other, but rather a kind of separation is maintained. It is this distance that allows us to provide appropriate help. Empathic resonance allows us to experience their situation, but in a different way, often more fully or more objectively. We may be able to identify the other's main problems and conflicts or the dysfunctional strategies they are putting into practice.

Empathic resonance involves helping others without being dragged down by their problems.

How to develop the core skills of empathic resonance? 

Attention and mindfulness. It consists of being fully present in the here and now, paying attention to our interlocutor. It implies a genuine presence and a sincere interest in the other person's concerns.

Experiential Search. Go beyond what is seen and do not settle for the superficial, try to dive into the deeper meaning that is usually hidden behind the words.

Active emotional expression. To put into words or translate into action what we are feeling. It is not to be ashamed of pain, failure or any other emotion but to use them to build bridges.

Unconditional appreciation. Any criticism or attempt to judge breaks empathy. That's why empathic resonance demands unconditional appreciation. It does not necessarily mean agreeing with the other person's ideas, but validating their emotional experiences by showing unconditional acceptance so that they feel understood and supported.

With Empathic Resonance we can offer support to our partner, children, family, friends and anyone who is going through a difficult situation. Let's put it into practice.

Gloria Sánchez Aguilar lives in Mexico, has a degree in Psychology and works as a psychotherapist.

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Second Dose of COVID-19 Vaccine Should Not Be Skipped: Study

Pamela Cruz
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Second Dose of COVID-19 Vaccine Should Not Be Skipped: Study
By Pamela Cruz. Peninsula 360 Press [P360P]

*Scientists analyzed blood samples from a group of Pfizer vaccine recipients to learn precisely what effects the vaccine has on the immune system.

According to a study led by researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine, the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine should not be skipped, as it induces a powerful boost to a part of the immune system that provides broad antiviral protection, which may even protect against other viruses in addition to SARS-CoV-2.

The study, published July 12 in Nature, was designed to find out exactly what effects the Pfizer-marketed vaccine has on the many components of the immune response. 

Thus, after analyzing blood samples from inoculated individuals, the researchers found that the first injection increases the levels of SARS-CoV-2 specific antibodies, as expected, but not as much as the second injection.

"The second dose has powerful beneficial effects that far outweigh those of the first dose," said Bali Pulendran, professor of pathology and microbiology and immunology, and one of the study's lead authors.

This second dose, he said, "stimulated a multiple increase in antibody levels, an excellent T-cell response that was absent after the first injection, and a strikingly enhanced innate immune response."

T cells seek out and destroy immune cells that do not attach to viral particles as antibodies do, but instead scan the body's tissues for cells that show telltale signs of viral infection and, when found, destroy those cells.

However, Pulendran detailed that the second dose of the vaccine triggered the massive mobilization of a newly discovered group of monocytes, or first responder cells, which are normally rare and inactive because they barely move in response to an actual COVID-19 infection. But the Pfizer vaccine induced them.

This special group of monocytes, which are part of the innate immune system, made up only 0.01 percent of all circulating blood cells before vaccination. But after the second injection of the Pfizer vaccine, their number increased 100-fold to 1.0 percent of all blood cells. 

In addition, he stressed, their disposition became less inflammatory but intensely antiviral. "They seem uniquely capable of providing broad protection against a variety of viral infections," Pulendran said.

"The extraordinary increase in the frequency of these cells, just one day after the booster immunization, is striking," the expert stressed. "It is possible that these cells can attack not only SARS-CoV-2 but also against other viruses".

Both the Pfizer, and the one manufactured by Moderna, work quite differently from classic vaccines composed of live or killed pathogens, individual proteins or carbohydrates that train the immune system to zero in on a particular microbe and eliminate it. 

Instead, the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines contain genetic recipes for making the spike protein that SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, uses to attach to the cells it infects.

Traditionally, the main immunological basis for approval of new vaccines has been their ability to induce neutralizing antibodies: individualized proteins created by immune cells called B cells, which can attach to a virus and block it from infecting cells.

New vaccines, a path to new immunological horizons 

Messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines, such as those from Pfizer or Moderna, use genetically modified ribonucleic acid to give cells instructions on how to make the S protein found on the surface of the COVID-19 virus. 

After vaccination, the immune cells begin to make the parts of the S protein and display them on the surface of the cells. This causes the body to make antibodies. So if there is a COVID-19 infection later on, these antibodies will fight the virus.

RNA or ribonucleic acid is the other type of nucleic acid that makes protein synthesis possible. While DNA contains the genetic information, RNA is what allows it to be understood by cells.

Once it sends the instructions, the mRNA is immediately degraded. It never enters the nucleus of cells, where DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is stored. 

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Authorities Tighten Rules Against Refinery Emissions

Pamela Cruz
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0
Authorities Tighten Rules Against Refinery Emissions
Bay Area officials tightened measures to regulate particulate emissions from refineries.
By Pamela Cruz. Peninsula 360 Press [P360P]

The Board of Directors of the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (Air District) on Wednesday adopted amendments to regulate emissions of particulate pollutants from oil refineries, which have serious health effects on residents.

After Rule 6-5 was adopted in 2015 to minimize emissions of particulate matter from Fluid Catalytic Cracking Fluid Units (FCCUs), which are the largest single source of particulate matter produced by Bay Area refineries, the new amendments impose stricter control requirements to reduce health-threatening air pollution.

The rule is now the strictest regulation of its kind in the country.

"Today's vote by the Air District Board of Directors is a victory for all Bay Area residents, particularly those who live in the communities surrounding the refineries, as well as the refinery workers who are regularly exposed to harmful particulate pollution," said Santa Clara County Supervisor Cindy Chavez, chair of the Air District Board of Directors.

"We are committed to protecting the health of both refinery workers and neighbors and look forward to implementing this landmark protection rule with Chevron and PBF," she said.

As scientific knowledge about the adverse health effects of particulate pollution advances, tighter controls are needed to protect those who live and work in refinery communities," said Air District chief executive Jack Broadbent.

He said the Air District is committed to reducing exposure to air pollution in impacted areas and "these amendments are a necessary step to control the health hazard of major air pollution in the Bay Area.

Analysis by Air District staff found that PM2.5 particulate matter - fine inhalable particles, with diameters generally 2.5 micrometers and smaller - emitted from FCCUs are the primary health threat in the Bay Area, particularly in terms of premature mortality. 

Air District said in a statement that it has calculated that for the one million people most affected, exposure to particulate matter from the Chevron refinery in Richmond increases mortality by an average of up to 11.6 deaths per year, while the PBF Martinez refinery increases mortality by up to 6.3 deaths per year.

Rule 6-5 applies to the four Bay Area refineries that have FCCUs. One of these already controls emissions from its FCCU with a wet scrubber.

More information about Rule 6-5 is available at baaqmd.gov/reg6rule5.

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