Air Quality Deep Dive
A Not-So-Quick Overview
Ontario is home to the worst air quality in the nation, where even good days mean moderate to poor air quality, driven largely by particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), ozone, and traffic‑related pollutants. Ontario is not alone in this issue in the Inland Empire, because of our region’s over-reliance on the logistics industry, lack of investment in public transportation, and natural geographic features that trap pollution.
Political decisions play a major role in shaping Ontario’s air quality because the region sits at the intersection of state environmental policy, local land‑use choices, and federal regulatory standards. Although local officials have approved massive warehouse and logistics developments on the promise of job creation and increased tax revenue, many of these benefits have not materialized at the scale advertised. Automation, subcontracted labor, and low‑wage temporary jobs have limited the economic gains for residents, while the tax revenue generated often falls short of projections once infrastructure costs and incentives are factored in. Meanwhile, the environmental burden — especially diesel truck traffic and particulate pollution — continues to grow. This mismatch between political promises and real‑world outcomes shapes ongoing debates about whether local leaders should continue prioritizing warehouse expansion or shift toward policies that more directly protect public health and air quality.
Key Air Quality Challenges
1. Elevated PM2.5 Levels (Ontario is worst in the nation)
Multiple monitoring sources show PM2.5 as the dominant pollutant in Ontario.
PM2.5 levels often fall in the Moderate range, meaning they can pose health risks for sensitive groups.
Examples:
IQAir reports PM2.5 around 14.3 µg/m³, contributing to a Moderate AQI.
Weather Underground lists PM2.5 as the main pollutant even on “Good” days, noting its long‑term health impacts.
2. Ozone Pollution
Ozone levels fluctuate but can reach levels that affect respiratory health.
3. Traffic & Industrial Emissions
Ontario’s location near major freeways (the 10, the 15, and the 60) and its large warehouse/logistics sector contribute to NO₂ and CO emissions.
4. Weather Patterns That Trap Pollution
The Inland Empire frequently experiences temperature inversions, which trap pollutants close to the ground.
Health Implications
Short‑term exposure can cause breathing difficulty, throat irritation, and coughing.
Long‑term exposure to PM2.5 is associated with heart and lung disease.
Sensitive groups—children, older adults, and people with respiratory conditions—are most at risk.
Overall Air Quality Pattern
AQI readings typically fall between Moderate (50–100) and Poor (100–150)
Community‑Level and Policy Solutions
1. Stronger Local Land‑Use Rules
Cities can adopt zoning and permitting standards that:
Limit how close warehouses and truck routes can be to homes and schools
Require developers to prove real economic benefits before approval
Mandate air‑quality impact assessments that can’t be bypassed
This shifts the burden back onto developers instead of residents.
2. Transition to Zero‑Emission Trucking
Ontario sits at the heart of a diesel‑heavy logistics corridor. Reducing that impact means:
Incentivizing electric or hydrogen freight trucks
Requiring warehouses to install charging infrastructure
Setting deadlines for phasing out diesel fleets on local roads
California already has statewide rules pushing in this direction, but local enforcement and political will determine how effective they are.
3. Community Air Monitoring and Transparency
When residents have access to hyper‑local air‑quality data, it becomes much harder for officials to downplay the problem. Cities can:
Install neighborhood‑level sensors
Require warehouses to report truck counts and emissions
Make all data publicly accessible in real time
Transparency empowers residents to demand accountability.
4. Rebalancing Economic Incentives
If warehouses aren’t delivering the jobs or tax revenue promised, cities can:
End subsidies and tax breaks for low‑benefit, high‑pollution projects
Prioritize industries that generate higher‑wage jobs with lower emissions
Tie any future incentives to measurable community benefits
This helps break the cycle of approving projects that pollute without paying off.
5. Strengthening Regional Collaboration
Air pollution doesn’t respect city boundaries. Ontario can work with nearby cities and regional agencies to:
Coordinate truck routes
Share monitoring data
Develop regional clean‑freight strategies
If you are interested in learning more about this sign up to volunteer with us at community cleanups or by holding our elected leaders accountable
