Pollution Controls Pay Off

Sometimes living in California can be a pain, especially if you drive a car.

Who, for example, hasn’t complained about the fact we pay more for new automobiles because they have to be equipped with extra smog-control equipment? Or groaned and assumed the worst when we received the notice that it is time for our car to have its biennial exhaust emissions inspection? How many have stopped to fill the gas tank while traveling out of state and been reminded that not everyone has to wrestle with those infernal rubber gadgets whose function seems to be to prevent the nozzle from going into the tank?

There are good reasons, of course, why we have to jump through these anti-air pollution hoops, and recently we were given an indication of why it is important that we do so. The county Air Pollution Control Board reported that for the first time in 12 years not a single smog alert was issued here last year. A smog alert is an indication that there is enough ozone in the air that people who are sensitive to it--often elderly people or those with cardiovascular problems--should reduce their levels of activity. Even healthy people who engage in vigorous exercise are advised to cut back. For the person who has trouble with smog, every smoggy day can mean watery eyes, coughing fits and/or difficulty breathing.

Back in 1978, when the county adopted its current air pollution strategy, there were 11 smog alerts. That year also saw about twice this year’s 45 days when the federal clean air standard was exceeded for an hour or more. Air pollution control officer R.J. Sommerville, while acknowledging that last year’s cleaner air was in part due to favorable wind conditions, said the air quality should continue to improve in coming years.

For years, it seemed Californians read nothing but bad news stories about pollution. Then, in more recent times, we have had to adjust to a series of new regulations and restrictions aimed, not at industry, but at individual automobile owners. So, it’s nice to read some good news about our air and to see that some of what we must go through is really paying off.