I just heard yesterday that Bakersfield is in the number 2 spot for the most toxic cities and i just so happen to live in Bakersfield so I thought I would weigh in.

America’s 10 Most Toxic Cities – Source Forbes.com

Number of unhealthy air quality days (2009): 43

Pounds of on-site toxic releases reported (2009): 2.2 million

EWG top water concern: N/A

“The EPA says when the Air Quality Index for an area climbs above 100 (ratings range from zero to 500, with zero being the best) it can bring on respiratory problems for people with lung disease, children and older adults. Above 150, everyone can suffer. Most cities don’t even have a single day each year when the AQI is above 100. But Bakersfield, Calif., which ranks second on our list, had 43 such days in 2009, Fresno (No. 3) had 29 days, and Los Angeles (No. 6) had 14.”

For the last 11 years that we’ve lived here in Bakersfield, we’ve seen that they show on the local news the air quality level for burning wood, that is during the cold seasons, and it surprises me because most nights they tell you that you can’t burn wood in your fireplace.  The people who ignore that will get a ticket.  I assume if a cop sees smoke coming out of someones chimney they will write the ticket then ring the doorbell and give it to you and tell you to put the fire out.  I haven’t had that experience so it’s just a guess.  We don’t burn wood since our living room TV sits in front of the fireplace covering it from ever being used.

What I do notice about our air quality is that you can smell how nasty it is.  What it smells like to me is, well you know how hose water tastes?  That’s how it smells.  Sometimes it smells like that leftover food that you left in your fridge for over a month and decided that it’s time to toss it out because the smell is getting so bad.  I smell that smell every Tuesday night which is trash night in our neighborhood which leads me to believe that every week someone has discovered some old food and decided to toss it with their trash.

They didn’t even mention our water quality which is a huge issue for me because our water smells and tastes like hose water and it looks white when you pour water from the tap into a glass.  I suppose it has gotten a little better but it still smells and tastes bad.  Where is Erin Brokovich when you need her?

I hope this is a wake up call for the city of Bakersfield.  Clean up your act!  If I see one fish with 3 eyes I’m outta here!