I am considering relocation to Broomfield Co from San Diego CA.  I
have asthma and would like to know how the air quality compares between
San diego and Boulder/Denver area (both in summer and winter).  (I
already know how the climates compares, I am interested in specific
info about ozone, smog, dust, ect)  thanks.

Hi dgravina,

I think you will find that Broomfield wins the "Clean Air" contest!
However, at this time, allergens are present in higher concentrations
in Broomfield, than in San Diego. I have provided you with a link
where you can see all allergens, by season, to determine if your
allergens are listed.

You can see on this page today?s allergy report for Broomfield, Colorado.
http://www.wunderground.com/DisplayPollen.asp?Zipcode=80020&SafeCityName=Broomfield&StateCode=CO
Current pollens with a high concentration are Ragweed, Chenopods and
Sagebrush/Sage.

This page, which you can link to from the above page, by clicking the
allergens, tells you which allergens are prevalent during each season
in the Broomfield, Colorado area. This will be helpful if you know
what allergens triggers your asthma.
http://www.wunderground.com/DisplayPollen.asp?Zipcode=80020&SafeCityName=Broomfield&StateCode=CO

On this page, you can find current allergen information for San Diego.
To my surprise, the allergen index is much higher for Colorado! The
predominant allergens in San Diego at this time are elm, chenopods and
Sagebrush/Sage. If you are allergic to ragweed, you may have a problem
in Colorado!
http://www.wunderground.com/DisplayPollen.asp?Zipcode=92101&SafeCityName=San_Diego&StateCode=CA

Again, the above page links to this page, listing seasonal allergens in California.
http://www.wunderground.com/DisplayPollen.asp?Zipcode=92101&SafeCityName=San_Diego&StateCode=CA


As far as ozone, San Diego is not getting a very good report card from the EPA:
http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20040416/news_1n16ozone.html

San Diego receives an ?F? from the American Lung Association!
http://lungaction.org/reports/sota04_county.html?fcc=06073

Numerous California cities made the "Cities with the dirtiest air" list:
http://www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=50752

3 Colorado cities made the Top 25 Cleanest Cities for Year-Round
Particle Pollution (Annual PM2.5) and 2 Colorado cities made it on the
Top 25 Cleanest U.S. Counties for Year-Round Particle Pollution
(Annual PM2.5), while 2 Colorado cites win the least ozone award!

San Diego is on the WORST ozone polluted city list!
http://www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=50752

One other thing to think about, when considering breathing, is
altitude. Broomfield, Colorado sits at an elevation of 5,400 feet,
while San Diego has an elevation of 40 feet!
While this will be a temporary transition, breathing may be noticeably
difficult for a week or two till your body acclimates to the new
elevation. It will be especially  noticeable during exercise or
exertion. I myself am an asthmatic, with an allergy to ragweed, and
especially molds and mildews. We recently spent a week in the San Luis
Valley, located in southern middle of Colorado, driving from Phoenix,
Arizona. As we entered New Mexico, I experienced one of the worst
allergy attacks I have ever had, and it followed me through most of
the state! As we entered the mountains of Colorado I was able to
breathe clearly again, but I did have a hard time adjusting to the
elevation. I found the air in southern Colorado to be wonderfully
clear! You could see for miles and miles, with no brown haze to
detract from the stunning scenery.
http://www.city-data.com/city/Broomfield-Colorado.html
http://www.city-data.com/city/San-Diego-California.html


Additional Info:

http://www.city-data.com/city/Broomfield-Colorado.html

Read what Colorado does to maintain clean air:
http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/ap/down/01-02finalreport.pdf

Good luck, and I think you will enjoy Colorado. I am seriously
considering moving to Colorado myself!

If any part of this answer is unclear, please request an Answer
Clarification, before rating, and I will be happy to assist further.

Regards,
crabcakes

Search Terms
Air quality Broomfield Colorado
Air quality San Diego California
Ozone levels Broomfield Colorado
Ozone levels San Diego California

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Request for Answer Clarification by dgravina-ga on 01 Sep 2004 21:56 PDT

I should have pointed out I don't have any allergies so I don't think
the pollen would be a problem.  The two things that really trigger my
symptoms are smoke and dust.

I seem to have the biggest trouble though when I am in the dessert
from the dust blowing off the sand.  I went to phoenix in FEB and had
a very difficult time breathing.   Are you also in phonix ?  IF so
would you say the air was less dusty in colorado ?

I know some of the links mention pm2.5, but I tend to think dust
particles might be larger, although I dont really know ?

Yes the air quality here in san diego is not too great, living next to
the beach helps, but i still have to deal with a lot of neighbors who
like to burn wood fireplaces in the middle of the summer !

thanks for the help crabcakes
Dave

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Clarification of Answer by crabcakes-ga on 01 Sep 2004 22:21 PDT

Hi dgravina,

  It's good you don't have allergies....though I always associate
asthma with  allergies.

   Yes, Phoenix is very dusty. It's hard to believe that in this city,
the 6th largest in the US, there are still a lot of farmlands and a
lot of construction going on. Tilling land and construction sites
generate a lot of dust. We also have a large international airport and
a nearby military base; both huge polluters!  Often, it is hard to see
the mountains just a few miles away, for what we call "The brown
cloud". I very much enjoyed the air in Colorado. You should have no
problem with air quality in Colorado, particularly in a smaller city
like Broomfield.

  Thank you for the 5 stars and good luck with the move!

  Regards, crabcakes

fast and comprehensive