Southern California fails to meet air pollution guidelines by original deadline

Air pollution levels are still too high in Southern California.

     In 2006, in the middle of the second Bush administration, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) gave states until 2015 to meet the federal government's standards for acceptable levels of particulate pollution. Now that 2015 is here, it's clear that Southern California is still failing to meet those standards.

     The EPA gave Southern California an extension on the deadline in 2013, acknowledging that the region's uniquely high level of smog and pollution would make it more difficult to achieve acceptable particulate levels. Officially, the area has until 2016 to reduce its air pollution levels to below 35 micrograms per cubic meter of particulate matter on all but seven days of the year. However, for a while, it was looking like the area might be able to meet the original 2015 deadline, until the beginning of the long-standing drought in the area.

     South Coast Air Quality Management District officer Philip Fine summed up the situation in an interview with the Press Enterprise: "The trend had been really positive, but the weather didn't cooperate."

     The region has seen pollution levels exceeding national standards on 11 out of 21 days so far this month, and the 21st saw the highest levels yet this year, at 65 micrograms per cubic meter, almost twice the acceptable level according to the EPA. Wood burning bans have been in effect this week in Los Angeles, Orange County and the Inland Empire. Residents of the region are being encouraged to check the air quality at airalerts.org, the South Coast Air Quality Management District's website.

     If you live in Southern California, now is the time to look into purchasing a home air purifier for the sake of your health. Contact US Air Purifiers for help finding the right air purifier for you.