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The American Lung Association’s State of the Air report reveals concerning findings about air quality in the Los Angeles and Long Beach area, ranking it as the unhealthiest in the nation.
Cities with Highest Ground-Level Ozone Pollution:
Four of the top five U.S. cities plagued by ground-level ozone air pollution are in Southern and Central California, with Los Angeles leading the list. The other cities include Visalia, Bakersfield, and Fresno-Madera-Hanford, all in California, along with the Phoenix-Mesa metro area in Arizona.
Dr. Sarah Rees from the South Coast Air Quality Management District highlights human influences as significant contributors to ozone pollution. Mobile sources such as trucks, ships, trains, and aircraft are major culprits in the region.
Impact of Human Activities:
The pollution formation from mobile sources falls under federal authority, posing challenges in regulating and mitigating the adverse effects of ozone pollution on air quality and public health.
In contrast, the report identifies Honolulu, Johnson City, Lincoln, Bangor, and Wilmington as the top five cities with the cleanest air, showcasing regional variations in air quality across the country.
Efforts to combat air pollution include measures to address sources like wildfires and diesel engines, which contribute to particle air pollution or soot, as outlined in the report.
Reduction in Historical Ozone Levels:
Despite Southern California’s poor air quality ranking, the report indicates progress, with current ozone levels approximately half of historical levels.
This suggests ongoing efforts to improve air quality are yielding some positive results, although challenges persist.
