With a population of about 38 million citizens, California produces a lot of air pollution. The main source is the mobile branch. As well, there are other products and industrial processes that release chemicals and other matters into the air. Maybe you know: California is famous for its clean industry and utilities as well as for the lowest car tailpipe emissions – and the dirtiest air in the United States.
The Geography
California’s Central Valley, for example, is surrounded by the Klamath Mountains, the Cascade Range, the Modoc Plateau and the Coast Ranges. It is similar to a tub. The cold and warm air is not able to unite and the pollutants settle down to the Central Valley for weeks.
In summer fresh air is transported by means of strong winds. In the winter, the air pollution rises. The strong winds drop. Especially in these months hazes can occur until the weather changes.
What’s in the Air?
In the summer pollutants generate the main molecule of smog – the ozone. As well there are hazardous particles. In the winter, the air pollutants are dangerous atomic particles caused by different actions (wood burning, factory emissions and car exhaust).
Health effects
There are a lot of illnesses caused by air pollution. Every year the burning of fossil fuels kills about 25.000 people only in California. But, this alerting number is only the tip of the iceberg. An unborn child can already be damaged by air pollution. Other diseases can be:
- Respiratory infections
- Heart disease
- Lung cancer
- Difficulty in breathing
- Wheezing
- Coughing
- Aggravation of existing respiratory and cardiac conditions
As well there will be a rise of medication use, of doctor and emergency visits, of hospital admission and, of course, of early death. It’s time to spare the air now!