Air quality news covering smog, particulates, industrial emissions, health impacts, and clean air policy.
A NASA-funded study published in Science found that wildfire-driven ozone pollution causes over 300 additional premature deaths per year in the U.S. since 2013. In 2023, wildfire smog was linked to nearly 8,000 deaths, with 148 million Americans exposed to unsafe ozone levels.
This commentary argues that indoor air quality, often overlooked, can significantly impact health, and that HVAC systems may circulate pollutants like dust, mold, and VOCs. It suggests that newer, tightly sealed homes can trap these contaminants, and offers practical advice for improving air quality through proper ventilation and maintenance.
Los Angeles County released an online map Friday showing locations of over 6,000 oil wells and 1,300 industrial facilities, including refineries and landfills. The tool, developed by the Office of Environmental Justice and Climate Health, aims to inform residents about nearby hazardous sites.
The first five months of 2026 in Southern California have been the smoggiest in over a decade, with 39 days exceeding federal ozone standards in the South Coast air basin. The smog has been especially severe in valleys, with an April 18 monitor in Reseda recording the second highest hourly ozone spike in the last decade. The South Coast Air Quality Management District attributes the high ozone levels to early heat waves, with March being the warmest on record in California.
A study by Soroka University Medical Center and Ben-Gurion University found that air pollution and extreme climate conditions are linked to increased migraine attacks. Published in Neurology, the research was led by Dr. Ido Peles. Migraines affect about 14% of the global population.