Air

Smog is present in all modern cities, but it is more common in cities with sunny, warm, dry climates and a large number of motor vehicles.

Because it travels with the wind, it can affect sparsely populated areas as well.

Such is the case in Riverside and other Inland communities where due to geographic location we endure more pollutants than what we generate. Pollution from the greater Los Angeles area funnels into the Inland region via air currents through passes in the natural barrier of mountain range between the greater Los Angeles area and the Inland Empire.

Health Effects

Microns are Hard to See! Particle pollution in the air is a mixture of solids and liquid droplets. Particles less than 10 micrometers in diameter are so small that they can get into the lungs, and may cause serious health problems.

Smog is a problem in a number of cities and harms human health, especially senior citizens, children, and people with heart and lung conditions such as emphysema, bronchitis, and asthma.

• Respiratory system irritation
• Reduced lung function
• Aggravates asthma
• Inflamed or damaged lining of the lung

Information on the Web

• AIRNow - A cross-agency U.S. Government website for air quality information:
  • Air Quality Index
  • About Ozone
  • Particle Pollution (PM10 and PM2.5)
• California Air Resources Board - Part of the California Environmental Protection Agency reporting directly to the Governor's Office:
  • Indoor Air Quality
• South Coast Air Quality Management District - The air pollution control agency for all of Orange County and the urban portions of Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.
• United States Environmental Protection Agency - Leading the nation's environmental science, research, education and assessment efforts:
  • Indoor Air Quality
• The Clean Air Act
• The Energy Policy Act
• California State Energy Commission

Join an Organization

• Clean Air Now
• American Lung Association of California