Air Pollution

1. Air Pollution
in Southern California
By:
Marlen Mendoza

2. What is Air Pollution?
• Air pollution occurs
when gases, dust
particles, fumes, or
smoke are introduced
into the atmosphere in
a way that makes it
harmful for humans,
animals, and plants.

3. What Causes Air Pollution?
• Natural events that pollute the air
include forest fires, volcanic
eruptions, wind erosion, pollen
dispersal, evaporation of organic
compounds and natural
radioactivity.
• Human activities that result in air
pollution are emissions from
industries and manufacturing
activities, burning fossil fuels (like
coal & petroleum) household
and farming chemicals.

4. Air Pollution in Southern California
• Specifically in Southern California there is a lot of air pollution.
• The Los Angeles region is home to the largest port complex in the
nation.
• Air pollution in Los Angeles has caused widespread concerns. In
2011, the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) Survey on
Californians and the Environment showed that 45% of citizens in
Los Angeles consider air pollution to be a “big problem”, and 47%
believe that the air quality of Los Angeles is worse than it was 10
years ago. In 2013, the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Riverside area
ranked the 1st most ozone-polluted city, the 4th most polluted city
by annual particle pollution, and the 4th most polluted city by 24-
hour particle pollution.

5. How does Air Pollution affect
Life on Earth?
Causes:
• Acidification- chemical reactions
involving air pollutants create acidic
compounds which can cause harm to
vegetation & buildings.
• Eutrophication- rain can carry deposits
of Nitrogen in some pollutants on rivers
& soils; adversely affecting the
nutrients in the soil & water bodies.
• Ground-level ozone- chemical reactions
involving air pollutants that create a
poisonous gas ozone.
• Particulate Matter- Air pollutants can
be in the form of particulate matter
which can be very harmful to our
health. The level of effect usually
depends on the length of time of
exposure, as well the kind and
concentration of chemicals and
particles exposed to.
When acid rain falls over an area, it can
kill trees & harm animals, fish, & other
wildlife.
Can result in algae growth in lakes &
water bodies, and make conditions for
other living organisms harmful.
which affects people’s health & can
damage vegetation types & animal life.
Short-term effects: irritation to the eyes, nose
& throat, upper respiratory infections
(bronchitis and pneumonia), headaches,
nausea, & allergic reactions. Can aggravate the
medical conditions of individuals with asthma
and emphysema.
Long-term effects: chronic respiratory disease,
lung cancer, heart disease, & even damage to
the brain, nerves, liver, or kidneys. Continual
exposure to air pollution affects the lungs of
growing children and may aggravate or
complicate medical conditions in the elderly.

6. • Recycling plastic, glass bottles, and aluminum cans helps
conserve and reduce production emission.
• Encouraging yourself and others to ride the bus, train, or bike
when commuting to lessen the number of cars on the road
• Using energy wisely and/or reducing energy consumption
• When purchasing a new car, consider one that is the most
efficient, lowest-polluting vehicle or even zero-emission electric
car.