Irvine is renowned for its superior air quality compared to other cities. This is due to the offshore winds, lower traffic, and more green space that the city has. According to Ben Grundy, partner with Environment California, transportation and wildfires are two of the main contributors to air pollution in Southern California. The Golden State has taken steps to protect vehicles from contamination, enhance the efficiency of renewable energy, and reduce travel during the COVID-19 pandemic.
These regulations serve as a guide for many cities in California, including Irvine, that are striving to reduce air pollution and its adverse health effects. The Air Quality Index (AQI) for Irvine averaged 68 inches (“moderate”) when public records began in 2000. Since then, the AQI has improved significantly due to the 1990 amendments to the Clean Air Act that improved air quality monitoring, emission control, and law enforcement. Road motor vehicles were emitting 15,169 organic gases per day at that time according to the California Air Resources Board.
IQAir's Irvine air pollution thermal map can be used to locate active fires, identify wind patterns, and learn how local air quality is affected in real time. Although Irvine's air quality has been “good” on average in recent years, there have been short-term pollution episodes where air quality reaches “unhealthy” or worse levels. It is also important to consider visible and invisible pollution in the local environment such as drinking water sources, ocean waters, land, and air. The Clean Air Act of 1990 has been instrumental in improving air quality in Irvine and other cities across California. The act has helped reduce emissions from road motor vehicles and other sources of pollution.
Additionally, California has implemented regulations that protect vehicles from contamination and increase the efficiency of renewable energy sources. These regulations have helped improve air quality in Irvine and other cities across the state. IQAir's thermal map can be used to monitor air quality in real time and identify wind patterns that may affect air quality. Additionally, it is important to consider visible and invisible pollution sources such as drinking water sources, ocean waters, land, and air. By taking these steps, cities like Irvine can continue to improve their air quality and reduce its negative health effects.
