San Francisco Bay area homes face high air quality risks

Every home in the Bay Area is at high risk of experiencing poor air quality due to wildfires, a stark contrast to its status as one of the most expensive housing markets.

Christian Leonard reports for The San Francisco Chronicle.

In short:

• A report by Redfin shows that all homes in the San Francisco and San Jose metro areas are highly susceptible to unhealthy air, mainly because of wildfires.
• Among major U.S. metro areas, those in California face the highest risk of poor air quality.
• Efforts to improve air quality in the Bay Area were effective until mid-2010s, but recent severe wildfires and ongoing emissions have deteriorated the situation.

Key quote:

"California is 'ground zero' for worsening air quality, with wildfires driving exposure to unhealthy air."

— First Street Foundation's research.

Why this matters:

The situation in the Bay Area serves as an example of the broader challenges climate change brings to urban health and living standards nationwide. How do wildfires impact your health?