Decreases lung function and causes respiratory symptoms, such as coughing and shortness of breath, and also worsen asthma and other lung diseases. Lead Pb Produce from smelters metal refineries and other metal industries, combustion of leaded gasoline in piston engine aircrafts, waste incinerators waste burners , and battery manufacturing.
Damage the developing nervous system, resulting in IQ loss and impacts on learning, memory, and behavior in children. Cardiovascular and renal effects in adults and early effects related to anaemia. Reducing ozone requires carefully balanced cuts in two main smog-forming pollutants — combustion gases called nitrogen oxides and chemical vapors and solvents called volatile organic compounds — and regulators have long known that cutting them in the wrong proportion could bring no ozone reductions at all or even increase smog levels.
Air quality officials and scientists are focusing their attention on those other types of ozone-generating pollutants, volatile organic compounds, that can be released by everything from paint, hairspray and other consumer products to trees and plants.
Those non-traffic emissions stayed constant or may have increased during the pandemic, and experts think they are playing a much more dominant role in smog formation than in years past. One theory that air quality regulators have floated is that the pandemic increased use of germ-fighting cleaners and disinfectants, many of which evaporate and release volatile organic compounds that can contribute to smog.
But we need to do more work on that. The region still does not meet the health standard for ozone set more than 40 years ago when Jimmy Carter was president, or three stricter standards issued since. In October, more than a dozen environmental groups and community organizations filed a petition urging the U.
They point to delays in adopting major rules, including measures targeting oil refineries as well as warehouses and other hubs for diesel truck pollution. In some cases, the air district has cited the coronavirus as reason for holding off. Coronavirus is stalling air quality, pollution rules, even in eco-minded California.
Powerful industries are pressuring California regulators to delay or roll back air quality and climate regulations due to the COVID pandemic. Zhu said that air quality regulators need to factor into their decisions the reality that two major drivers of smog — wildfires and extreme temperatures — are getting worse because of climate change.
Hotter temperatures from global warming, in addition to fueling increases in wildfire emissions, make controlling smog more difficult by speeding up the photochemical reactions that form ozone pollution — something that Nastri said he thinks is now being borne out Southern California. The South Coast air district is studying the role of climate change but has remained cautious about linking it to recent smog increases. Under current EPA protocols, pollution-reduction plans required under the Clean Air Act do not account for rising temperatures from climate change.
Categories Topics. Contact Research Division. Ozone is not generated directly by these sources. Rather, chemicals emitted by these precursor sources react with sunlight to form ozone in the atmosphere. Visalia, Bakersfield, Fresno , Madera, Hanford, and Sacramento are all nestled at the heart of the Central Valley, where temperature inversion is common. When natural airflow is limited, the concentration of ground-level pollutants created by these cities can quickly climb to unhealthy levels.
Los Angeles is also nestled in a low elevation pocket known as the San Fernando Valley. The city is close to the equator i. In addition to these natural pollution traps, California has experienced some of the most severe wildfires in U.
During the catastrophic wildfire season , fine particulate matter PM2. If you live in a city with chronic air quality issues, use the Environmental Protection Agency's EPA Air Now database to monitor outdoor air quality alerts for your area and limit your outdoor time on " Action Days.
Certain sensitive populations very young, old, or sick individuals are more susceptible to the health impacts of air pollution. When in doubt, consult your doctor about your unique risks and create a plan ahead for air quality emergencies. Although staying indoors during air quality alerts is a good first step, it may not be enough to protect your health. Oftentimes, indoor air can be more polluted than the outdoor air of even the busiest cities.
To learn more about Awair and how it can help you create a healthier indoor environment, follow the link below.
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