"The blue, cloudless skies over the Coachella Valley most days hide a darker truth: The area has serious, chronic air pollution challenges.

For up to three months of the year, valley residents and visitors breathe air with pollutant levels considered unhealthy, harmful — even deadly for some.

“(The pollutants) are killing people. Thousands of people die each year as a result of bad air,” said Riverside County Supervisor Roy Wilson, vice chairman of the South Coast Air Quality Management District governing board."

Keith Matheny reports a feature package for the Palm Beach Desert Sun July 12, 2009. [2]

See Also:

"Looking for Long-Term Solutions" [3]

"Struggling To Breathe in the Desert" [4]

"Air Quality Concerns Brought Congressional Subcommittee To Valley in 2004" [5]