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Around the world, major cities differ with respect to their recent trends in ambient air pollution. While Los Angeles has had extremely high levels of air pollution in the past, it has experienced significant progress over the last thirty years. Environmental Report Card 2003

In other cities such as Beijing, air pollution levels remain extremely high. Along with urban crime and traffic congestion, ambient air pollution is a major threat to urban quality of life. Exposure to high levels of air pollution increases sickness rates and can also raise mortality risk. The damage caused by pollution exposure varies by demographic group. Children, the elderly and those with pre-existing conditions are most susceptible to the effects of air pollution.

This research center investigates the causes and consequences of urban air pollution.

The Center for Air Pollution and Exposure is investigating the causes of poor air quality and its effects on the population of Southern California. The center integrates studies of regional weather, and human exposure to a wide range of air pollutants, assessing potential health impacts and addressing questions of environmental equity, with the aim of guiding policy. A related activity-the Southern California Particles Center and Super site-is a UCLA-led consortium of five major universities studying the origin of respiratory disease associated with exposure to airborne particulates, especially those generated by traffic.

The Center's social scientists focus on the role of transportation patterns in determining ambient air pollution levels. In particular, this research focuses on Californian's usage of public transit and private vehicles as a function of household income, demographics, urban form, and household environmentalism.