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Los Angeles, known for its smog, has been ranked as the most ozone-polluted region in the United States. The city's air pollution is among the worst in the country, with the 2019 State of the Air Report finding that LA had the worst ozone air pollution in the US. The Los Angeles-Long Beach region has received this ranking 23 times out of the 24 years the Lung Association has produced its State of the Air Report. The area's ozone pollution is the highest it has been since 2010, with climate change, transportation emissions, and wildfires being the main contributors.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ozone pollution ranking of LA | Ranked first in 2022, 2023 and 2024 |
| Number of people living in ozone-polluted areas in LA | 125.2 million in 2021, 2022 and 2023 |
| Percentage of the population exposed to unhealthy ozone levels | 37% in 2021, 2022 and 2023, 40% in 2022 |
| LA's air quality grade | F |
| Number of people living in counties with failing grades for ozone levels | 120 million in 2023, 131.2 million in 2024 |
| Percentage of people living in places with failing grades for ozone levels | 39% in 2024 |
| Number of California cities in the top 25 most polluted American cities for ozone | 11 |
| Number of California cities in the top 10 most polluted cities for ozone | 6 |
| Number of California cities in the top 15 most polluted cities for PM2.5 | 9 |
| LA's ranking in the 2019 World Air Quality Report | 82nd out of 1,517 cities |
| LA's ranking in the 2019 State of the Air report | 1st |
| LA's compliance with the U.S. EPA's national air quality standards for PM2.5 and ozone | Non-compliant |
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What You'll Learn
LA's air pollution is among the worst in the US
Los Angeles's air pollution is among the worst in the United States. In 2022, the city had the highest number of unhealthy ozone days since 2010. The following year, LA was again ranked as the most ozone-polluted region in the nation. The American Lung Association's "State of the Air" report for 2024 lists LA as one of the metro areas with the worst levels of ozone.
The high levels of ozone pollution in LA are due to a combination of factors, including warm weather and harmful pollutants from fuel emissions. Traffic is considered a leading contributor to "bad ozone," which is formed when sunlight reacts chemically with nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds from vehicle emissions, power plants, and refineries. The city's ports are also a significant source of pollution, producing an estimated 100 tons of smog daily. Wildfires, which have become more frequent and intense due to climate change, further contribute to the poor air quality in LA.
The health implications of LA's air pollution are concerning. According to the County of Los Angeles Public Health Department, one in ten children have been diagnosed with asthma. The overall risk for cancer is also increased due to air pollution. Fine particle pollution, which has been linked to health issues such as asthma, heart disease, and respiratory illness, has been declining in LA, reaching its lowest level in recent years. However, the number of people living in places with poor air quality nationwide has increased, with an estimated 131.2 million people living in areas with failing grades for ozone levels and fine particle pollution.
Addressing air pollution in LA is crucial, and some progress has been made. Since the implementation of the Clean Air Action Plan in 2006, particulate matter from port operations has dropped by 87%, and nitrogen oxide levels have decreased by 58%. Port authorities are exploring additional measures, such as investing in cleaner energy transport vehicles. While these efforts are promising, the impact of climate change, including higher temperatures and more frequent stagnation events, continues to pose challenges in the fight against air pollution in LA.
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Climate change is increasing ozone pollution
Los Angeles, California, has been ranked as the most ozone-polluted region in the United States. Six California areas, including Los Angeles, ranked in the top 10 for the worst conditions. Western states, in general, outpace the East in terms of poor air quality. California retains its position as the state with the most metro areas on the list of the 25 most polluted cities, with 9 out of 25 cities.
Ozone pollution is making breathing difficult for more people living in the US than any other pollutant. In 2021, 2022, and 2023, about 37% of the population, or 125.2 million people, were exposed to levels of ozone that put their health at risk. This includes tens of millions of infants and children, people aged 65 or older, and others with pre-existing conditions that make them especially vulnerable to health harm from air pollution. More than 125 million people live in counties with failing grades for ozone smog.
Ozone depletion involves how certain industrially produced chemicals containing chlorine or bromine are damaging the Earth's protective stratospheric ozone layer. The chlorine comes from chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which were widely used in early refrigeration and cooling systems. CFCs and other ozone-depleting substances (ODS) are also powerful greenhouse gases, contributing to climate change. Therefore, actions to mitigate ozone depletion can positively affect climate change and vice versa.
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People of colour disproportionately affected by LA's poor air quality
Los Angeles, California, has been ranked as the metropolitan area with the worst ozone pollution in the United States. The city's air pollution is among the worst in the country, with ozone and PM2.5 (particulate matter) levels exceeding national standards.
While air quality in LA has improved over the years due to measures such as the Clean Air Act and the Clean Air Action Plan of 2006, the impact of climate change has led to higher temperatures, dry conditions, and more frequent wildfires, contributing to an increase in unhealthy ozone days.
People of color in Los Angeles are disproportionately affected by the city's poor air quality. According to a report by the Union of Concerned Scientists, Latinos, African Americans, and Asians in California breathe in significantly more tailpipe pollution than other demographic groups. On average, African Americans and Latinos inhale about 40% more particulate matter from vehicles, while Asians are exposed to about 20% more pollution.
The disparities in air quality impact are also evident at the county level. People of color are 64% more likely to live in a county with failing grades in pollution categories, and 3.7 times more likely to reside in a county with failing grades across all three categories. These inequities are often due to geographic and weather conditions that trap pollution in specific areas, as well as the placement of polluting sources in communities of color, such as highways, landfills, and industrial sites.
Addressing these environmental injustices requires swift action to reduce emissions, particularly from diesel vehicles used for commercial transport and goods transportation. Encouraging the use of personal electric vehicles and developing the necessary infrastructure in low-income and densely populated areas can also help mitigate the disproportionate impact of air pollution on communities of color in Los Angeles.
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LA's ports are a significant source of pollution
Los Angeles has the worst ozone air pollution in the United States. More than 120 million people live in areas with unhealthy air quality, and California regions claimed eight of the ten worst particle pollution areas in the country, with Los Angeles-Long Beach placing fourth. The LA and Long Beach ports are the biggest sources of air pollution in the LA basin. The ports produce an estimated 100 tons of smog daily, with little year-over-year improvement since 2011.
The South Coast Air Quality Management District projected that by 2023, oceangoing ships would surpass heavy-duty diesel trucks to become Southern California's largest source of smog-forming nitrogen oxide pollution. In 2018, emissions of diesel particulate matter rose slightly at the Port of LA and have increased over the last two years at the Port of Long Beach. The ports of LA and Long Beach have long been the region's biggest sources of air pollution.
In recent years, progress in fighting air pollution at the LA-Long Beach ports has slowed, with some emissions increasing. However, the ports have taken substantial steps to reduce air pollution. Since 2005, diesel particulates from the port have dropped by about 91%, and smog-forming gases by about 72%—even as cargo volume increased by more than 15%. Port officials in Long Beach say phasing out diesel fuels and reducing emissions is their top priority.
The state air board's withdrawal of its zero-emission truck and train rules will likely lead to significantly more emissions from trucks and locomotives in the coming years. Community groups representing 400,000 residents say new proposed rules don't go far enough. Air quality officials have drafted new rules to help electrify the ports, but some residents say these don't go far or fast enough.
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LA's air quality has improved since the 1990s
Los Angeles has been ranked as the most ozone-polluted region in the US. The city's air pollution is among the worst in the country, with the Los Angeles county containing 9 of the 15 most polluted cities in the US, according to the 2019 World Air Quality Report. Despite this, LA's air quality has improved since the 1990s.
The Clean Air Act, along with its amendments, has played a crucial role in improving air quality in Los Angeles and across the nation. The Act has led to the development and implementation of various air pollution control strategies, including standards for tailpipe and NOx emissions, which have contributed to cleaner air. The Clean Air Action Plan of 2006 has also positively impacted LA's air quality, with an 87% reduction in particulate matter and a 58% decrease in nitrogen oxides, a precursor pollutant to ozone.
However, the impact of climate change has presented challenges. Higher temperatures, dry conditions, and wildfires have contributed to an increase in unhealthy ozone days. Wildfires, in particular, have become more common due to anthropogenic climate change, and they significantly impact LA's yearly average air pollution. The geographical characteristics of the region, such as the steep mountains and strong winds, also influence the dispersion of emissions.
While the number of people living in areas with unhealthy air quality in the US is concerning, there has been progress. The EPA's efforts to reduce emissions and air pollution have shown results, with a 78% decrease in the six principal air pollutants between 1970 and 2023. Additionally, the number of people living in areas with unhealthy levels of ozone pollution has decreased by 19.3 million.
Overall, while LA continues to face air quality challenges, particularly with ozone pollution, there have been improvements since the 1990s due to various regulatory and environmental efforts.
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Frequently asked questions
120 million people live in areas with unhealthy air quality, and more than half of them are people of color.
Transportation emissions, wildfires, and shipping operations are the main contributors to LA's ozone pollution.
Living in an ozone-polluted area can have negative health effects such as an increased risk of heart disease, respiratory illness, and premature death. The County of Los Angeles Public Health Department reports that 1 in 10 children have been diagnosed with asthma.
The Clean Air Act has helped reduce ozone pollution, and the Clean Air Action Plan of 2006 has reduced particulate matter from port operations. Port authorities are also investing in cleaner energy transport vehicles.
People living in ozone-polluted areas can limit their exposure by spending more time indoors and planning outdoor activities for times when ozone levels are lower, usually in the morning and evening.
