From Ecopedia

Overview

Founded by Felipe de Neve in 1781, Los Angeles is a major metropolitan city in the US. Being the country’s second largest city, Los Angeles houses a population of 3.8 million.^[1]

Los Angeles is world hub for several activities including business, global trade, commerce, education, fashion, movies, science, media, education and technology.

Environmental Information

Among many major issues of environmental concern, air pollution attracts maximum attention.

Air Pollution

Main Article: Pollution

Air pollution, mainly in the form of smog, is a cause of grave concern for local environmentalists.

Owing to the city’s geography and extreme dependence on automobiles for transportation needs, the city is faced with severe form of air pollution. The valley of San Fernando and Los Angeles Basin, especially, are highly prone to atmospheric inversion that holds toxic exhausts coming from automobiles, airplanes, shipping, locomotives and manufacturing sources among others.

In view of the problematic air quality in the city, a new environmental legislation that includes the Clean Air Act was introduced to effectively check the pollution.

As per the American Lung Association’s 2009 annual report, Los Angeles City is recognized as the second most polluted city in the US to be affected by particle pollution round the year.

Water Conditions

Los Angeles suffers from various water problems including water shortage and water contamination due to the presence of chemicals and oil among many others. Currently, the city’s ground water is contaminated by the hazardous MTBE from the city’s gas stations as well as perchlorate coming from rocket fuel.^[2]

On the other hand, in the year 1990, Los Angeles was made to impose strict rationing of water for the very first time to cope up the water shortage.^[3]

References

1. ↑ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles
2. ↑ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles
3. ↑ http://www.city-data.com/world-cities/Los-Angeles-Environment.html