Background
Whether you live in Los Angeles,
the Central Valley, or the Inland Empire, it’s no surprise that California has some of
the most polluted air in the country. California ranks high
for smog and fine particle, or “soot” pollution.
According to the American Lung Association, San
Bernardino, Kern, Riverside, Los Angeles, and Tulare
counties are the top five smoggiest counties in the country. And the Los
Angeles-Long Beach-Riverside metropolitan area was ranked #1 in the country
from 2003-2005 for the worst chronic soot pollution and the worst short-term
spikes in soot pollution.
U.S. EPA has proposed new standards for ozone pollution, but
the standards are weaker than what the agency’s own scientific advisors say are
needed to protect public health. EPA will hold five public hearings on the proposed
standards, including one in Los
Angeles on August 30th 2007.
|
|
