Pollution in Los Angeles

“From the hills above Hollywood boulevard, where I lived, I could look out across the sea of smog that engulfs that city most days .This is the sight every American living in Los Angeles encounters because of air pollution. I will discuss issues and the impact of air pollution has on the counties of Los Angeles. The purpose of my research paper is to discuss the history of Air Pollution in Los Angeles, how it affects living things in Los Angeles, and what organizations are trying to stop air pollution.         The first case of air pollution was on July 26, 1943 during World War II, Los Angeles was attacked by smog. The Los Angeles Times reported that a pall of smoke and fumes was in the Downtown L.A area. That left workers and civilians in a “gas attack” (Fifty Years).The workers and civilians were left with their eyes all watery and stinging, it also left their throats very sore. The City of Los Angeles has always suffered from pollution even before WWII. In 1903 the smog and fumes were so bad that people thought that the sun was going through an eclipse. After a while the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors told the smoke and fumes commission to study the reason why Los Angeles was so dirty looking. People blamed smoking on the dirtying of the air. But other people such as Dr.Swartout said it was other stuff than just smoking. Then they passed the Clean Air Act which did help lower emissions automakers started making low emission vehicles (Air Pollution). Smog alerts lowered even more by the 1970s to the millennium. Then from 2006-2008 the American lung association proved that Los Angeles was the number one polluted city in the United States.

Air pollution not only affects the way the city looks but it affects living things such as animals, humans, and plants. The way it affects animals is by many processes. One process is called Acid Rain. Acid rain is the process when pollutants enter the atmosphere by cars, factories, etc. The particulates mix with water vapor then collects over time making rain clouds. (Air pollution: Worse than you thought) Then when it rains the poisonous water goes into rivers, lakes, etc. The animals drink this rain killing them. Acid Rain also affects plants. Acid rain takes off the waxy coating on the leaves. Humans get affected by acid rain because acid rain damages buildings and the paint of cars. Air pollution also leads to the opening of the ozone layer, meaning more UV rays shine down. These UV rays can affect humans by giving them skin cancer, various parts of the eyes, and also the breakdown of the immune system. (Pollution and Society).

There are many organizations trying to stop the emissions of pollutants. One movement called Breathe LA by Measure R, supports for all citizens to have different car options. These measure main goals are to lessen automobile traffic, more clean buses, less congestion and more clean air. Not only are there organizations trying to stop air pollution but even to stop water pollution, such as Heal the Bay. Heal the bay tries to find solutions to problems that will mess up all of our oceans, bays, and all costal waters.    

In conclusion the purpose of my research paper is to discuss the history of Air Pollution in Los Angeles, how it affects living things in Los Angeles, and what organizations are trying to stop air pollution. Well now you see that air pollution has always been around even before WWII and that Air Pollution is something that should be stopped because it affects everyone and everything. But thanks to organizations that influence people to go with “greener” car choices.  Los Angeles, such a famous but yet dirty city.