"Californians breathe the worst air in the nation, with 95 percent of us living in areas with unhealthy air," reads the first sentence in the American Lung Association in California's Web site. Not surprisingly, they give Los Angeles County grades of "F" for ozone and particle pollution.
The first sighting of the word "smog" was in a January 19, 1893 Los Angeles Times article describing a haze over the city that was a combination of smoke and fog. Classic smog, as in a Victorian London "pea souper," was a combination of smoke and sulfur dioxide; but new and improved Los Angeles smog comes from vehicular and industrial emissions, also known as primary pollutants (substances released directly into the air). These emissions are then acted on by sunlight to form secondary pollutants, which then recombine with the primary emissions to form photochemical smog.
All modern cities have photochemical smog, but it's more common in urban centers with sunny, warm, dry climates, and in geologic basins that are circled by hills or mountains, in which there are a large number of motor vehicles. Sound like anyplace you know? Then, because smog and other pollutants travel with the wind, sparsely populated areas get to share it as well.
Air pollution causes asthma, emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer. It can inflame breathing passages, decrease the lung's working capacity, cause shortness of breath and pain when inhaling deeply, as well as wheezing and coughing. Air pollution also can cause eye and nose irritation, and can dry out the protective membrane of the nose and throat. Additionally, it can cause various kinds of cardiopulmonary disease. Not only can it cause disease, but also it can interfere with the body's ability to fight infection. In fact, hospital admissions and respiratory deaths often increase during periods when ground-level ozone gases are in high concentrations. In past years, as many as 4 percent of all deaths in the United States were attributable at least in part to air pollution.
So between primary pollutants (sulfur dioxides, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide), secondary pollutants (photochemical smog, ground-level ozone), other major outdoor pollutants like acid rain, and indoor pollutants (radon gas, formaldehyde gas, volatile organic compounds), what's a living organism to do? We can't stop breathing.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) developed an Air Quality Index (AQI) to help rate air pollution levels for the general public. The ratings are divided into ranges, and each range is assigned a descriptor and a color code. This is valuable information for everyone, but especially for those who are vulnerable to air pollution like senior citizens, children, and people with heart and lung conditions who need to know when air pollution levels are high.
If the AQI levels are high and you have respiratory problems, it might be better to work from home and avoid strenuous activities. The EPA uses the following AQI:
0-50 -Good-Green
51-100 -Moderate-Yellow
101-150 -Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups -Orange
151-200- Unhealthy-Red
201-300 -Very Unhealthy-Purple
301-500- Hazardous-Maroon
The good news for Los Angeles is that thanks to the strictest environmental codes in the country, more efficient engines and catalytic converters, strict venting codes for factories and restaurants, even re-circulating nozzles at gasoline pumps, the city's air quality is better than it has been in 30 years. In the past few years, we haven't had to shut down any schools because of smog. But this means we can do something about air pollution. We can make a difference, not only in the health of our atmosphere, but in the health of our families, friends and communities.
When we breathe, very small particles of dust, soot and acid droplets can slip past our lung's natural defense system and become lodged deep in the lungs. To reduce particulate matter pollution and protect your lungs, on days with unhealthy air, don't use a wood stove or fireplace. It's also wise to avoid using leaf blowers and other types of equipment that raise a lot of dust. If you drive on unpaved roads, drive slowly and avoid physical activity on days with an unhealthy AQI. But the best defense is to stay indoors.
Cars and trucks account for about half the air pollution in the United States. So anything you can do to reduce your driving and make your car run efficiently will also contributes to making the environment healthier. Besides carpooling, it helps to try to combine errands into one trip. Avoid revving or idling your engine for more than 30 seconds. If you see long drive-thru lines at your favorite fast food chain, park and go inside. Use energy-conserving motor oil (E.C. grade) and an EPA-certified facility for air conditioner repair. Also, don't ignore the "check engine" or "service engine soon" light if it comes on, and repair all leaks promptly.
Saving energy is one of the healthiest things you can do for your own health and the good health of the people you care about. And that should help everyone breathe easier.