MI: California Makes Significant Gains in Ozone Fight

California Makes Significant Gains in Ozone Fight

In the last 25 years in California:

Population has increased by 38%
Average ozone (smog) levels have decreased by 30%
Carbon monoxide levels have decreased by 60%
Sulfur dioxide levels have decreased by 80%
Airborne lead levels have decreased by 97%

1997 "Cleanest Year on Record" for ozone levels in South Coast and Bay Areas:
Note: El Niño brought cooler weather to California this year, contributing to record low smog levels.

South Coast/L.A. Basin

1986 1996 1997 1998 1999

Days Above Federal Standard (0.12 ppm) 164 85 64 60 39

Health Advisories (0.15 ppm) 140 53 25 43 12

Stage 1 Episodes (0.20 ppm) 79 7 1 5 0

Bay Area/San Francisco

Avg. 1991-94 1996* 1997 1998 1999

Days Above Federal Standard (0.12 ppm) 2.25 8 0 8 3

Health Advisories (0.15 ppm) 14.75 25 3 0 1

* 1996 was an unusually hot, contributing to higher than normal ozone levels.

Cleaner-Burning Gasoline Contributions to Air Quality Improvements:

Responsible for 18% improvement in ozone levels in the South Coast, and 10% improvement in ozone levels in the Bay Area and Sacramento, after adjusting for differences in meteorology.
Cuts ozone precursors (VOCs and NO_x) emissions from cars by 15% (300 tons-per-day). Equal to taking 3.5 million cars of California's roads and freeways.
Carbon monoxide emissions from cars reduced by 11% (1,300 tons-per-day)
Sulfur dioxide emissions from cars reduced by 80% (30 tons-per-day)
Benzene emissions from cars reduced by 50% (20 tons-per-day)

Sources: CAL EPA; CARB; SCAQMD; BAAQMD

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