Chemistry and Physiology of Los Angeles Smog

Abstract

Air pollution in the Los Angeles area is characterized by a decrease in visibility, crop damage, eye irritation, objectionable odor, and rubber deterioration. These effects are attributed to the release of large quantities of hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides to the atmosphere. The photochemical action of nitrogen oxides oxidizes the hydrocarbons and thereby forms ozone, responsible for rubber cracking. Under experimental conditions, organic peroxides formed in the vapor phase oxidation of hydrocarbons have been shown to give eye irritation and crop damage resembling closely that observed on smog days. The aerosols formed in these oxidations are contributors to the decrease in visibility. The odors observed in oxidation of gasoline fractions are similar to those associated with smog. Hydrocarbons present in cracked petroleum products, harmless in themselves, are transformed in the atmosphere into compounds highly irritating to both plants and animals, and should therefore he considered as potentially toxic materials. A proper evaluation of the contribution of air pollutants to the smog nuisance must include not only the time and place of their emission, but also their fate in the air.

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