Air Quality

Air Pollution Control

The South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) is the air pollution control agency for all of Orange County and the urban portions of Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties. This area of 10,743 square miles is home to over 16 million people, about 1/2 the population of the whole state of California. It is the 2nd most populated urban area in the United States and one of the smoggiest.


Impact of Air Pollution

Different types and levels of air pollution can cause or contribute to everything from watery eyes and fatigue to respiratory disease, lung damage, cancer, birth defects, and premature death. Because this area’s smog problem is so severe, AQMD often finds itself at the forefront of the nation’s emission reduction efforts.


Get Involved

A lot of our pollution comes from the products and services we use every day. We can all help by making some simple changes in the way we live:
  • Avoid aerosol products
  • Carpool to work
  • Conserve energy
  • Recycle reusable materials
  • Use public transit
  • Use water-based paint
  • Wet down sources of dust

For More Information

For more information, please contact SCAQMD at 800-CUT-SMOG or visit the South Coast Air Quality Management District website.