East Contra Costa County

East Contra Costa County’s Pittsburg and Baypoint communities are located along Highway 4 within the Bay Area Air Quality Management District. Home to about 100,000 residents, these neighborhoods are highly diverse.

Major air pollution concerns in East Contra Costa stem from industrial activities, heavy traffic along Highway 4, and diesel particulate matter, which result in some of the region's highest asthma and cardiovascular disease rates. Legacy contamination and transportation-related pollutants also contribute to ongoing health risks, especially for sensitive populations like children and seniors.

The district has teamed up with Aclima and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to launch a community air monitoring project guiding future actions as a part of SMMI. Using Aclima’s advanced sensors, the project collects detailed, block-by-block data on air quality throughout the community. This provides residents with clear information about local pollution and helps guide actions to improve air quality, focusing on the areas and people most affected.

In April of 2025, residents and stakeholders from Lanare met to discuss these pressing air quality concerns and explore solutions to create a healthier, more equitable future for their communities.