Monday, October 04, 2004
Southern California Air Quality Improves
Thanks to cooler weather, the LATimes.com has reported that smog is down this year in Southern California.
Still, Southern California is failing to meet federal standards. Moreover, the Los Angeles area had seen increasing levels of smog for the last 3 years. While current smog levels are lower than they were a decade ago, steady increases the past 3 years are still cause for concern.
Cars are the largest source of smog; however, cars don't directly create smog. Essentially, CO2 emissions from cars go into the air and are converted to smog via hot sunlight. Because this year was cooler than normal, there was less smog.
Since the cooling trend isn't expected to continue, a hot summer next year could again raise smog levels in Southern California.
As for last year, Santa Clarita violated federal smog levels the most in Southern California.
Smog has been shown to cause health problems for those living in polluted areas, including increased rates of allergies and asthma, and overall underdeveloped lungs.
Still, Southern California is failing to meet federal standards. Moreover, the Los Angeles area had seen increasing levels of smog for the last 3 years. While current smog levels are lower than they were a decade ago, steady increases the past 3 years are still cause for concern.
Cars are the largest source of smog; however, cars don't directly create smog. Essentially, CO2 emissions from cars go into the air and are converted to smog via hot sunlight. Because this year was cooler than normal, there was less smog.
Since the cooling trend isn't expected to continue, a hot summer next year could again raise smog levels in Southern California.
As for last year, Santa Clarita violated federal smog levels the most in Southern California.
Smog has been shown to cause health problems for those living in polluted areas, including increased rates of allergies and asthma, and overall underdeveloped lungs.
