Department Program

Air Quality Management

Improving public health by monitoring emission standards, managing local ordinances, and collaborating with regional air quality regulators.

Managing Air Pollution in the LA Basin

Los Angeles sits in the South Coast Air Basin, a geographic zone prone to thermal inversions that trap particulate matter and ozone. The Air Quality Management program coordinates the City's responses to regional pollution, monitoring municipal fleet emissions, and advocating for strict regulations on heavy industrial emitters.

SCAQMD & CARB Compliance

The Department aligns municipal operations with guidelines from the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB). This includes implementing:

  • Rule 2202 (On-Road Motor Vehicle Mitigation): Encouraging clean rideshare programs and remote work policies for city workers.
  • CARB Clean Fleet Rules: Transitioning municipal garbage trucks, street sweepers, and utility trucks to zero-emission technologies.
  • Port Clean Air Action Plan (CAAP): Working with the Port of LA to implement zero-emission cargo-handling equipment.

Particulate Matter (PM2.5 & PM10) Reduction

Particulate matter presents the greatest direct threat to public health. Our mitigation strategy targets dust control at municipal construction sites, clean street sweeping routes, and urban tree canopy programs to filter dust particles naturally.

SGE Overview Fact: The City of Los Angeles has committed to zero emission delivery zones and zero-emission freight routes around the ports by 2035 to drastically reduce localized PM2.5 concentrations in frontline communities.

Real-time Air Quality Resources

Residents are encouraged to monitor localized AQI levels. Real-time air sensors are deployed across LA County, feeding open data networks to help residents plan outdoor activities, especially during hot summer months when smog levels peak.