L.A. Basin Is Again Nation’s Smog Capital

Published September 29th, 2006 by The LA Times

The Los Angeles Basin is once again the smog capital of the U.S.,
beating out Houston and the San Joaquin Valley, air officials said
Wednesday.

As
of Sept. 27, the Southland exceeded the federal ozone health standard
on 86 days, compared with 83 days during 2005 and 88 days in 2004,
according to the South Coast Air Quality Management District.

Houston exceeded the ozone standard on 34 days, the San Joaquin Valley
on 82 days. Ground-level ozone, which is different from the protective
ozone layer in the stratosphere, damages cells and may be linked to
lung damage.

The L.A. Basin led the list despite having the nation’s strictest air quality requirements.