Smog, Asthma and San Gabriel Valley (Los Angeles, San Diego: neighborhoods, theater, school)

[Panks]

Could anyone please tell me if its true that San Gabriel Valley is the worst place for smog in southern CA?

My brother went to school in Claremont 25 years ago and he says it was really bad then and must be worse now with even more people and cars, but I have read that smog is reduced everywhere...which is correct???

I've also read that you can avoid the effects by going indoors..is that really true?

I've only seen smog from a distance, I don't remember ever driving through it...can you smell smog? I have pretty bad asthma so I have to be extra cautious.

[rebagirl]

Yeah, the smog is really bad. If you ever fly into Ontario airport during the day, you'll be descending into an unbelievable layer of brown. In the winter, it's not so bad, as long as we have a bit of rain to wash it out. However, a haze starts forming again about 3 days after the rain. In the summer, you're lucky if you can see the nearby mountains from the valley.

It has improved to some extent through the years, as I remember having to come inside as a kid during the summers because my chest was hurting (back in the 70's and 80's). I also remember having a relative visit from Scotland in 1985, and she couldn't believe there actually were mountains in the distance. She concluded (insert Scottish accent) that "She didn't quite fancy the area, and that it was far better at home."

Too many people here suffer from asthma and think it's the norm to carry an inhaler at all times. Kids that are involved in sports suffer, which is really sad. We don't want the kids to become couch potatoes or zone out on video game, but it's not exactly healthy to be outside much of the time.

According to the American Lung Association, the San Gabriel Valley has over 200 ozone days per year and over 140 particle pollution days per year. Click on link below and type in the zip code you're interested in. AirNow shows current reports on the air quality.

American Lung Association:*State of the Air: 2007 (http://lungaction.org/reports/stateoftheair2007.html - broken link)

AIRNow - Air Quality Conditions & Forecasts - Los Angeles Metro and Inland Orange Co., CA

[BRinSM]

Originally Posted by Panks

I've only seen smog from a distance, I don't remember ever driving through it...can you smell smog? I have pretty bad asthma so I have to be extra cautious.

If you've seen smog then you've been in it, and no, you cannot smell it. I've known plenty of people who have had asthma over the years and have lived perfectly normal lives here in southern california. Also, the health issues related to smog are diminishing every year as newer cars burn cleaner emissions than in the past. The only places that I would make sure to avoid are neighborhoods adjacent to freeways, especially those that carry a lot of diesel semi trucks to and from the ports.

[rebagirl]

Maybe I come from a family with bionic noses, but I can always smell the smog. My mom used to complain of it as well.

Also, even though the air has improved here due to stricter guidelines, the Los Angeles basin continues to have the worst air quality in the nation year after year, by a very large margin.

If you checked out the links above, particularly the first one, type in 91740 (Glendora's zip) or any other city in L.A. County, then compare with another major city in the nation outside of the L.A. area. The smog is significant.

Another link:

Los Angeles Most Polluted US City, According To American Lung Association Report

[Lake Conroe resident]

People in here are talking about smelling the smog...I don't know that if you live in LA for years that you can smell/notice it anymore as you get use to it. It's when you get into an area where there isn't smog that you can see and smell the difference. The SGV is a very smoggy place just because of where it is geographically though I don't know if it's the worst. I think places in the Central Valley (Bakersfield, Fresno, etc..) are also very bad and maybe worse than the "inland empire" if that can be imagined. The problem is that LA is close to the beach and you usually have an onshore breeze which blows all their smog inland to places like Riverslime, Ontario, SGV etc...).

[Panks]

Thanks everyone, (especially for the links Rebagirl! )

I was really set on moving to Claremont for a while to check it out..but now I'm having second thoughts because of the asthma issue

I know there are hills in the Claremont area..would it make a difference to be higher up (and avoid major roads/freeways as BRinSM suggested) or does smog go up for miles?

And why does San Diego get an F rating eventhough its close to the water? wouldn't the ocean breeze blow the smog away/inland?

Final question..is the entire S.Cal area considered to be "in the basin" ? how far north or south do you have to drive to "get out of the basin"??

Thanks

[ChatNoir]

I was born and raise in LA. I grew up in the San Gabriel Valley. So, for the most part — I'm used to it. There are days when it's just ugly, but I'm used to it. I've never really smelled the smog. It's really noticeable when you have a view — looking down towards LA or looking up towards the hills. As far as being affected by it, I haven't had any noticeable problems. What you have to understand is that the Los Angeles smog COLLECTS in the San Gabriel Valley. The San Gabriel Valley, itself could be clean. It's that smog gathers there. I now live in yet another valley — the San Fernando Valley. It's just as noticeable. The smog is less noticeable in the Westside and beach communities.

As for the city of Claremont. This area sits near what is considered the Inland Empire. It's worse. My husband had allergies and lived here for several years. His allergies were worse. It's possible there was more irritable pollen floating around – not quite sure. But since he's moved away, he doesn't have allergy problems.

I will say I really savor and appreciate those beautiful clean days after it's rained.

[rebagirl]

You're welcome, Panks.


I have always liked Claremont. It has a neat vibe, great college campuses, funky restaurants and shops, and a dinner/theater (Candlelight Pavilion). But if smog is a major factor, you probably don't want to move there. There are some hills, but they won't provide an escape from the smog.

As far as the "F" rating for San Diego, I think the guidelines for the American Lung Association are very strict, so receiving a passing grade is difficult. The ocean should help, but there are still a ton of people and cars in the area. I also found it interesting that Seattle, with all its rain, doesn't score very well. I guess the overcast days trap the pollution (?)

I plan to move to Colorado, where the air is better. I know Denver can get a brown cloud, too, but it's nowhere near L.A. For proof, use the above links again, and type in 80002 for Denver.

[Panks]

I guess Claremont isn't going to work out for me after all. I was really on the fence until this afternoon when I saw my cat get an asthma attack (and there is zero smog here).

I can't do that to him and I don't want to end up with emphysema in a few years either.

My brother just came back from a trip to Denver and the pics looked great! I'm sure you'll love it Rebagirl I would have definitely moved there except that cold air is a huge trigger for asthma.

I think I should move to Tahiti .....

[rebagirl]

Originally Posted by Panks

I guess Claremont isn't going to work out for me after all. I was really on the fence until this afternoon when I saw my cat get an asthma attack (and there is zero smog here).

I can't do that to him and I don't want to end up with emphysema in a few years either.

My brother just came back from a trip to Denver and the pics looked great! I'm sure you'll love it Rebagirl I would have definitely moved there except that cold air is a huge trigger for asthma.

I think I should move to Tahiti .....

I found this info on the Colorado forum regarding asthma. I'm not trying to hijack this thread in any way, or make it a pro-Colorado/anti-California discussion. But, hey, before you move to Tahiti...

http://www.city-data.com/forum/color...ed-thread.html