Air pollution is still a growing issue in Los Angeles. However, with new regulation, air pollution is becoming less of a problem. However, Los Angeles still ranks as one of the top polluters in California (Barbosa, 2014). California as a whole has implemented regulations that will lessen the effects of the major air polluters; however, there is more work to be done.
What is air pollution? “Air pollution is the introduction into the atmosphere of chemicals, particulates, and biological matter that cause harm to humans, other living organisms, or cause damage to the natural environment” (Coffey, 2010). Air pollution affects all living things. Plants, animals, and humans are all affected by air pollution. Air pollution is a threat to human health as well as the earth’s eco system. The earth is somewhat able to clean itself, however, the because of the number of pollutants, the earth struggles to clean itself. The result of the earth not being able to clean itself results in acid rain, smog, and the numerous of other safety and health problems. Air pollution may also be a cause for climate change and global warming. The cause of air pollution “Carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, is the main pollutant that is warming Earth. Though living things emit carbon dioxide when they breathe, carbon dioxide is widely considered to be a pollutant when associated with cars, planes, power plants, and other human activities that involve the burning of fossil fuels such as gasoline and natural gas. (National Geographc, ND)” In recent years, humans have been the major cause of air pollution. As early as the invention of the charcoal powered rail train, we have been putting pollutants in the air. However, with newer forms of travel and the extreme use of fossil fuels (oil, petrol), the countless factories and plants, we have been on a steady pace of polluting the