Internet Explorer 11 is not supported

For optimal browsing, we recommend Chrome, Firefox or Safari browsers.

California Achieves Cleaner Air Despite Having More Cars

New research shows that despite a threefold increase in people and cars in the last 50 years, California's strict vehicle emissions standards have managed to significantly clean up the state's air.

By Julie Cart

Despite a threefold increase in people and cars in the last 50 years, California's strict vehicle emissions standards have managed to significantly clear the state's air, according to new research.

The study also found that Southern California's air chemistry has changed for the better. The amount of organic nitrates in the atmosphere -- which cause smog's eye-stinging irritation -- has drastically fallen off, according to federal researchers.

Ozone and other pollutants have been monitored in the state since the 1960s. Since then the population in Southern California has tripled, as has the number of cars on the road. Nevertheless, tailpipe emissions have decreased.

Want more infrastructure and environment news? Click here.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences at the University of Colorado led the research, which analyzed decades of data and collected air samples from overflights in 2010.

The researchers credited the state's stringent emissions standards with bringing about the pollution reductions, although they note that automobiles remain the dominant emissions source in Los Angeles.

(c)2013 Los Angeles Times

Brian Peteritas is a GOVERNING contributor.
Special Projects