Non-Native Angelinos: How do you feel about smog? (Los Angeles, Empire: to buy, school)

[bowneline]

One constant complaint you hear about Los Angeles from people who don't live in Southern California is the smog.

I spent a few years going to school up in Northern California, and when I mentioned that I was from Southern California, the next thing I would often hear is some reference to the terrible smog. I have often heard the same thing when traveling around the country. People say they would never want to live in Los Angeles because they could never handle the smog.

The funny things is, I don't every really notice smog. Yes, there is sometimes a brownish haze on the horizen. But, other then as a minor visual blemish, I don't really see what the big deal is. It's not something I ever think about or complain about, or even really notice. I can't ever remember having a hard time breathing or not feeling comfortable going outside (granted, I don't have asthma).

But, maybe I just don't notice the smog because I have lived here my whole life, so my body is used to it.

That is why I am curious what people think who moved to the area later in life. Did you really notice smog? Is it that bad compared to other places you've lived? Does it really live up to its reputation as one of the worst things about Los Angeles...so bad that many people would never consider living here because of it?

I just don't get what the big deal is....

[yamota]

Well, it's just a matter of your body adapting to it I guess. It's like the water. When I go to LA one of the first places I go to is a Wal Mart to buy bottled because drinking recycled LA water gives me diahrrea. But I guess if you have to drink it everyday, you system will adjust to it

[pwright1]

Compared to the times I use to come here in the 80s, the air is so much cleaner. I honestly don't think about it anymore.

[BayAreaHillbilly]

When you were up here in school you may have noticed something many here will never admit ... we ALSO have smog! Oh ... the ... humanity!

In all seriousness, as a child in the 70s, even up here, we'd have Stage 3 smog alerts. Fast forward ... I'm scratching my head to recall any smog alerts of any level over the past 20 years. "Spare the Air Days" don't count (those are hypersensitive overreactions by our "BAAQMD" any time there is even the hint of a bad inversion in the weather forecast).

Bottom line - smog is way, way better than it was during the 60s and 70s. That's remarkable given the population increase since the 70s.

[bigdumbgod]

Originally Posted by BayAreaHillbilly

In all seriousness, as a child in the 70s, even up here, we'd have Stage 3 smog alerts.

There were many days when P.E. was cancelled due to the smog alerts that were issued in the mornings, especially on hot days. People were advised to stay indoors - not an easy thing to tell the kids on a non-school day, since nobody had computers or video games yet.

We use to have a saying in L.A.: "You can't trust air you can't see".
(Counterintuitive, purposefully dark irony)

[HarryKerry]

decades ago we used to have Smog Alerts so often, it was depressing. Today, it is extremely rare to get a Smog Alert. However, it comes a big cost, and is one of the reasons some businesses don't like to be here because the AQMD has set standards that do increase the cost of doing business, compared to, say, Texas or any other "anything goes" state or region. We now have mostly GRAY days NOT BROWN ones. The effects of the regulations can be seen "clear as day" compared to the 60's and 70's. It really amazes me how well have cleaned up the air, but it still ranks as among the most polluted, so there is more work to be done, and we victims of geography. Now, the poor folks in the Inland Empire still get all the smog generated west of them, but, so it goes.

[$musicman$]

Much, much improved in the last 30 years.

For me it's now a non issue.

[Userdavey]

Hey guys.
I'll take it one step further and say that the air in LA can be some of the best in the world. I know that sounds crazy, but the air in Colorado Springs is so thin because of the altitude, and so dry....it is awful. I go to LA and I smell flowers, the oxygen is more plentiful, and the humidity is nice. And the air near the beaches is just heavenly.

[LASam]

I don't find smog to be an issue here. I think that unless you live in the Inland Empire, smog has been mitigated to the point that it isn't really noticeable.

[ferretkona]

Back in the 60's and 70's the air was very clear, it burned your eyes however.
Most of what we have today is marine layer. The air is much more breathable now.