Los Angeles Air Will Set Record This Year - For Cleanness

The good news is that L.A., the nation's most polluted city, will enjoy its cleanest year since records were first established 30 years ago. The bad news is that L.A. is still the country's ozone capital.

1 minute read

October 5, 2007, 11:00 AM PDT

By Irvin Dawid


"The nation's most smog-choked city is poised for its cleanest year on record.

With clean air expected through the end of smog season, Oct. 31, the Southland will likely set a healthy-air record, air regulators said Tuesday (Oct.2).

Los Angeles, the smoggiest city in the nation for four years running, recorded 78 unhealthy ozone days through Monday, its fewest for a year since 1976" when Angelenos experienced 206 unhealthy ozone days.

"Nonetheless, the region is still the king of smog, ahead of the San Joaquin Valley, with 67 unhealthy ozone days, and Houston, with 24."

"Advocates for cleaner air said it's up to each resident to help cut smog.

"We can't say it enough: We're all responsible for that air we breathe in L.A.," said Julia Robinson Shimizu, spokeswoman for Breathe California of Los Angeles County.

That means each resident can use cleaner cars. Drive less. Take the train or bus. Walk. Burn less energy. And support legislation to help clean the air, she said."

"The only way we're going to solve the traffic and resulting pollution is to implement more mass transit. The Orange Line is fabulous," said Robinson Shimizu, who lives in the San Fernando Valley.

Thanks to Jennifer Alverson

Wednesday, October 3, 2007 in Los Angeles Daily News

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