Air Pollutionin Southern California

By:Marlen Mendoza

What is Air Pollution?

• Air pollution occurs when gases, dust particles, fumes, or smoke are introduced into the atmosphere in a way that makes it harmful for humans, animals, and plants.

What Causes Air Pollution? • Natural events that pollute the air

include forest fires, volcanic eruptions, wind erosion, pollen dispersal, evaporation of organic compounds and natural radioactivity.

• Human activities that result in air pollution are emissions from industries and manufacturing activities, burning fossil fuels (like coal & petroleum) household and farming chemicals.

Air Pollution in Southern California

• Specifically in Southern California there is a lot of air pollution.

• The Los Angeles region is home to the largest port complex in the nation. • Air pollution in Los Angeles has caused widespread concerns. In 2011,

the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) Survey on Californians and the Environment showed that 45% of citizens in Los Angeles consider air pollution to be a “big problem”, and 47% believe that the air quality of Los Angeles is worse than it was 10 years ago. In 2013, the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Riverside area ranked the 1st most ozone-polluted city, the 4th most polluted city by annual particle pollution, and the 4th most polluted city by 24-hour particle pollution.

How does Air Pollution affect Life on Earth?Causes:• Acidification- chemical reactions

involving air pollutants create acidic compounds which can cause harm to vegetation & buildings.

• Eutrophication- rain can carry deposits of Nitrogen in some pollutants on rivers & soils; adversely affecting the nutrients in the soil & water bodies.

• Ground-level ozone- chemical reactions involving air pollutants that create a poisonous gas ozone.

• Particulate Matter- Air pollutants can be in the form of particulate matter which can be very harmful to our health. The level of effect usually depends on the length of time of exposure, as well the kind and concentration of chemicals and particles exposed to.

When acid rain falls over an area, it can kill trees & harm animals, fish, & other wildlife.

Can result in algae growth in lakes & water bodies, and make conditions for other living organisms harmful.

which affects people’s health & can damage vegetation types & animal life.

Short-term effects: irritation to the eyes, nose & throat, upper respiratory infections (bronchitis and pneumonia), headaches, nausea, & allergic reactions. Can aggravate the medical conditions of individuals with asthma and emphysema. Long-term effects: chronic respiratory disease, lung cancer, heart disease, & even damage to the brain, nerves, liver, or kidneys. Continual exposure to air pollution affects the lungs of growing children and may aggravate or complicate medical conditions in the elderly.

• Recycling plastic, glass bottles, and aluminum cans helps conserve and reduce production emission.

• Encouraging yourself and others to ride the bus, train, or bike when commuting to lessen the number of cars on the road

• Using energy wisely and/or reducing energy consumption• When purchasing a new car, consider one that is the most

efficient, lowest-polluting vehicle or even zero-emission electric car.