Lindsay is a small city in Tulare County, California, located southeast of Visalia and north of Porterville, within the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District. With a population of about 12,500, Lindsay is predominantly Hispanic with a strong Michoacan and Indigenous Mexican presence, and nearly three-quarters of residents speaking a language other than English at home.

Lindsay faces severe air pollution concerns, ranking in the 91st percentile for ozone, 95th for PM2.5, and 80th for pesticides, largely due to its location amid agricultural fields and orchards. Residents are particularly concerned about exposure to pesticides, dust, and odors from nearby farming and packing operations, which contribute to high rates of asthma and other respiratory issues. Community advocacy, led by groups like the Coalition Advocating for Pesticide Safety (CAPS), has focused on pesticide reform and air monitoring, but significant challenges remain.

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, Lindsay residents and stakeholders met to discuss these pressing air quality issues and explore solutions for a healthier, more equitable future.