smog
... It is these overlooked issues that have taken the Los Angeles from the land of sunshine to the land of smog. ... The city of Los Angeles faces a distinct air pollution problem, that of photochemical smog. It is the high levels of sunlight that contribute to photochemical smog; this is a type of air pollution that is predominantly severe in Los Angeles due to the high amount of sunshine the city receives. The smog situation occurs when “sunlight hits organic compounds, nitrogen oxides, and oxygen to form chemicals such as ozone and carbon dioxide” (Campbell 49). Obviously this means that smog is most deadly during the hours when the sun is at its strongest. ... Automobiles are accountable for releasing the smog that has been a big problem in Los Angeles for the last century. ... Transportation accounts for 55% of pollution emitted by major sources, the reason for this would be because people in Los Angeles have the longest driving times in America, although the citizens of Los Angeles are not the ones responsible for the smog problem. ... Smog has been around since the Spanish founders were around in Los Angeles. ... The pollution then becomes smog and will stay there for several weeks. ... This smog then begins to stretch east towards the Inland Empire and south to Orange County. ... The major source of smog in Los Angeles for the last few decades has been fumes and automobile emissions. Refer to Figure 1 for the sources of smog. Smog is deadly. Humans are greatly affected by smog; the effects can range from eye irritation to lung cancer. ... If you are over exposed to smog permanent damage can be caused to the lungs, most likely resulting in cancer. Plants and animals are also affected by smog. Smog is not to be taken lightly. ... Smog was so bad in the past that the government declared “smog alerts. ... Back in the 1970’s the government declared “smog days” almost every hot day, compare that to the 12 smog days in 1998, there is quite a difference. Figure 2 displays the smog trend from 1976 to 1998(7). ... “Approximately 70% of smog in Southern California comes from motor vehicle emissions. ... Ozone then creates smog. To put things simply, smog is what happens when the exhaust gases mix with sunlight. ... The more studies that are done to prove that smog is deadly, the more reasons there are to do something about smog. ... From the time of the 1970s the smog problem has died down due to instruction. ... If regulations and rules are enforced then the setting will become more helpful in solving this horrible smog problem. ... Bikes are also a valuable mode of transportation that reduces smog. ... 5 tons of smog per day; imagine how helpful that would be to the cities environment. ... One of its main concerns is smog; which urban sprawl and automobile traffic contribute to.