Research and Technology

Our Commitment to Research

Since 1903 Breathe Southern California's research has aimed to reduced the negative effects of lung disease on patients and their loved ones, allowing them to live healthier, more active lives. By developing early detection methods, personalized treatments, and cures for diseases like asthma, COPD, and lung cancer. Lung Health Research is critical for understanding environmental impacts on lungs, reducing health disparities, and improving quality of life, given that lungs have limited repair capacity.

Current Research

Breathe Southern California (Breathe SoCal) focused-L-CERP project will conduct an air quality assessment of the Sun Valley community in Los Angeles County to develop a Local Community Emissions Reduction Plan (L-CERP). Breathe SoCal will partner with California State University Northridge, Health Equity, and Research Education Center and the Sun Valley Neighborhood Council, for the assessment.

The project will establish a community advisory committee to identify and address community air quality priorities and develop and implement a community-led L-CERP.

Through town halls, community meetings, surveys, and focus/feedback groups, this project will empower the community to take explicit actions to address local air pollution. Breathe SoCal will install 12 air monitors around Sun Valley.

This project will provide bilingual English/Spanish education on how to reduce air pollution emission exposures to community residents, instilling hope for a healthier future.
In 2021, the Port of Hueneme received funding from the California Energy Commission to develop a blueprint for a zero-emissions Port of Hueneme. Breathe Southern California is helping in the development of a zero-emissions blueprint for the Port of Hueneme by engaging stakeholders in Ventura County to determine what stakeholders would like to see in a zero-emissions blueprint. The work includes meeting with stakeholders, producing a stakeholder engagement report, disseminating relevant information to stakeholders, and producing a community outreach report.
Breathe Southern California is working in the communities of West Long Beach, Carson, and Wilmington to reduce and eliminate medium- and heavy-duty trucks from idling in our neighborhoods and communities. The work includes engaging residents on potential truck idling solutions, educating truckers on the public health and environmental harms of idling, and improving the enforcement mechanisms in place for trucks that idle.
Transitioning diesel trucks to clean trucks is a top priority, and there is incentive funding available for small and large fleets to convert their dirty trucks to clean alternatives, including battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell trucks. Breathe Southern California works to ensure fleets know what opportunities exist by promoting incentive funding through social media, advertising and marketing, and direct engagement with small and large fleets.

Previous Research

We work to ensure local jurisdictions have strong regulations against the sale of flavored tobacco products. We are also working to ensure that SB 793, California’s state law that ends the sale of flavored tobacco products statewide, stays on the books with a “YES” vote in November 2022.

Learn more about L.A. Families Fighting Flavored Tobacco.
CAFA works to shape local, regional, and state policies to reduce environmental triggers of asthma among school-aged children where they live, learn, and play.
A group of environmental and public health organizations are working to ensure the California Air Resources Board enacts stricter regulations regarding commercial crafts. We demand a broad and swift transition to zero-emissions harbor crafts as quickly as possible.
The Asthma Coalition of Los Angeles County is a collective, powerful voice for policy and systems change to prevent, minimize, and manage the burden of asthma.