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Example research essay topic: Los Angeles Clean Air - 1,210 words

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Many do not know the exact definition of smog or why it is dangerous. Smog is defined in Scott Monds' "Smog, Let's Clear the Air" as the "brownish-yellow haze" found hanging above large cities. Smog is mostly a part of the "ozone gas", which can be harmful when found at ground level. Small amounts of ozone gas can be good, but when mixed with pollutants, it creates the smog (Monds). Nitrogen Dioxide and tiny debris such as soot give smog its distinctive color as well as VOCs or "volatile organic compounds." Smog is a dangerous mix of chemicals that can cause short and long term health problems.

It can aggravate the eyes, nose, and throat, as well as induce asthma attacks and increase hospitalization for those with respiratory problems. Smog is an increasing problem in the United States and according to Norris Kaleopono as of the year 2000 the city of Houston is the "Smoggiest City" in the United States (Norris). Before the recent reports from the EPA and the new Clean Air Act, many Americans pointed their fingers at Los Angeles, California when asked about a smog problem. Los Angeles has since cleaned up, creating a more reliable mass transit system and reducing the amount of traffic on the streets. But before Houstonians start mimicking the steps Los Angeles took to fix their smog problem, they should look at Canada and how it tries to prevent smog. Canada has strict regulations on the ground-level concentrations of ozone gas.

The maximum amount of concentration allowed in the air is 82 parts per billion in a one-hour time limit. That is a much larger allowance than the U. S. , but Monds thinks Canada does not want the air pollution to become as big a problem as it is in America, so they have asked the municipal, provincial, and federal governments to find a solution. Large public education projects have started and have since helped (Monds). Unlike America it has become a national interest in Canada to preserve air.

The United States needs to learn that saving the air quality is a full-time job and not just when a city is in trouble. The summer of 1999 was when Houston realized its crisis. Norris' online article reported that Houston had 40 ozone alert days or a Stage 1 where the ozone level reached higher than the federal allowance of. 12 parts per million in one hour. That summer, while Houston was reaching its highest smog level ever, Los Angeles was happy to report that they did not experience a Stage 1 alert day at all for the first time in fifty years (Norris). Although Los Angeles still does experience an ozone alert day periodically, it has cleaned its air up to some extent. However, that does not mean that Los Angeles should not continue with its efforts to reduce the level of smog.

The steps Los Angeles took to reduce its levels, in the end, may work for Houston. In the past four years, Los Angeles has created many plans of action to try and stop this economic threat in their air. The two main plans that have produced the best results are 1997 's Air Quality Management Plan (AQMP) and Coachella Valley PM 10 Attainment Re-Designation Request and Maintenance Plan. According to the AQMD website the AQMP is revised every three years by the governing board and each revised plan has "twenty year horizon" (AQMD 1). The plan was approved on November 15, 1996. Its goal is to allow the people of Southern California to breathe healthy till 2010 by monitoring and reducing the amount of PM 10 pollutants.

The plan was written with regards to the EPA's standards as well as its socio-economic impact. "Air quality models and dose-response relationships" helped environmentalists "to estimate the benefits of clean air" through "cost-effectiveness and emission reductions to calculate the efficiency of the draft plan" (AQMD 2). The Coachella Valley of Southern California is a major attainment area for PM 10 pollutants. From 1993 through 1995 they did not experience a violation of the 24 hour or yearly average of PM 10; their plan was to seek re-designation so they may achieve further attainment. It is a long process that may take many years to clean up the air in southern California, but with the strict regulations and the already drawn out plans, slowly but surely, California will achieve its goals (AQMD). Houston may not be able to enforce such plans due to its environmental differences, but if the city reacts the same way the residents of the Coachella Valley and surrounding areas did, then Houston will also be able to clean up right. A number of plans have been developed in Houston since the first mentioning of the ozone alert.

The Houston-Galveston Clean Air Rules and Plans website posts on December 6, 2000, the revised State Implementation Plan (SIP) for the Houston/Galveston area was displayed to the board. One main goal of the plan is a 90 % reduction of nitrogen oxides (NOx) by the year 2005. The first 30 % was reduced by 2002, then by 2003, 40 % is expected to be reduced, and the final 30 % by the end of 2004. Eight counties, Harris, Brazoria, Fort Bend, Galveston, Montgomery, Chambers, Liberty, and Waller, must face problems ranging from restrictions on using diesel road equipment to limiting the times when one can mow his lawn. Of course, these restrictions will only apply once the reductions have taken place in 2005. This is very helpful because currently Houston is under construction at many highways and intersections; if road workers are forced to end using diesel road machinery, many jobs could be lost or the conditions of the roads will never improve thus causing commuters more problems.

Air conditioning units as well as water heaters are asked to be fixed so emissions can be lowered. Houston is also following California standards and requiring that all spark engines that are sold meet all of California's requirements. The previously raised speed limits that were 70 mph outside city limits are now decreased back to 55 mph in all of these eight counties. The traffic at the ship channel and both airports were reduced as well (TNRCC). These new revisions and proposals will greatly help out the environment of southeast and central Texas.

The process of ridding Houston of its smog problem will be a long and strenuous one. If Houstonians don't begin to take care of their environment now, future generations may be faced with irreparable damages. It is possible Houston will follow in the footsteps of Los Angeles, but it will be many years before the results will be comparable to each other. This essay represents my work. I have not received help from anyone else, except Works Cited AQMD 1. 1997 Air Quality Management Plan. www.

Aqmd. gov / aqmd / (9 Mar 2000). AQMD 2. Coachella Valley PM 10 Attainment Re designation Request and Maintenance Plan.

web (9 Mar 2000). Monds, Scott. Smog, Let's Clear the Air. GLIMR. web e.

cfm (16 Feb 1996). Norris, Kaleopono. "Smog: Houston vs. Los Angeles." Positive Futures. web (14 Oct 99). TNRCC. Houston-Galveston Clean Air Rules and Plans.

TNRCC. web (17 Nov 2000).


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