smoggiest summer in years

As of Friday, the Los Angeles region exceeded federal ozone standards on 44 days this year -- nearly as many as all of last year. In late June, ozone levels spiked sharply and have stayed high.

In inland valleys and mountains, ozone levels have soared to heights not seen in years. Air quality in the High Desert and Victor Valley is worse this year than last year, reversing a decade-long trend toward cleaner air.

A bout of unusually hot, stagnant weather prompted a Stage 1 smog alert in the San Bernardino Mountains in mid July, the first time such an alert was declared in the district since 1998. The alert was declared when ozone levels reached 0.21 part per million in the mountains northeast of Los Angeles.

During a Stage 1 episode, people with sensitivities to smog may experience headaches, nausea or shortness of breath. The effects on health usually are mild, but in extreme cases long exposure to very high smog levels can lead to premature death.

Experts say more smoggy days are anticipated for August and September, typically the worst period for ozone. "It’s worse than ever," said Olivia Michel, 63, of San Bernardino. Michel said she has allergies and the heat and smog keeps her from going out.

what's being done about it? not enough.

On Friday, the board of the South Coast Air Quality Management District voted 9-0 to pass a pollution-fighting plan which they then pointed out would not be enough to meet federal ozone standards. This weak plan still needs state and federal approval before anything happens. Jack Broadbent, regional air division chief of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, said his agency favors voluntary programs for reducing emissions.

anticrisis

lynx

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HAVE SOME MORE SMOG

As of Tuesday, the region exceeded ozone standards on 47 days.

anticrisis

lynx

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first of all - to whoever is deleting harmless responses to my posts: PLEASE STOP. i do NOT appreciate your misguided help.

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now.....

A pre-dawn fire apparently aimed at sport utility vehicles, vilified as gas guzzlers and polluters, engulfed an auto dealership on Friday in California, the state known for its love affair with the car.

A study released this week by a Washington, D.C.-based transportation reform group showed that Southern California faces a "public health crisis" in the climbing number of residents with respiratory illnesses linked to air pollution.

The study by the Surface Transportation Policy Project found that nearly 2 million tons, or 57 percent of all air pollutants in Los Angeles, come from tailpipe emissions.

reminds me of new year's day

anticrisis

lynx

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Saturday, August 23, 2003

VALLEJO -- Vallejo is pumping water to its citizens and businesses using the power of the sun.

The water pumping station is located along Columbus Parkway. Nearby are 1,700 solar panels covering 1.3 acres, each following the sun as it moves from east to west.

The panels can generate about 214 kilowatts of power, enough to keep the water moving to the taps.

This solar energy complex, built by B.P. Solar, cost

$1.68 million. A PG&E grant will pay for half. Vallejo is borrowing to pay the rest.

Vallejo should pay off its share in 12 years, city spokesman Mark Mazzaferro said. The solar energy system has a life span of 25 to 30 years, he said.

By producing 60 percent to 80 percent of the energy needed for the pump station, the solar energy system can save the city $67,000 annually, a city press release said. That's based on today's electricity costs. The panels produce less energy at times, depending on the weather....