Center for
Air Pollution and Exposure

IoES Home > Research > Center for Air Pollution and Exposure

This research center investigates the causes and consequences of urban air pollution, assessing potential health impacts and addressing questions of environmental equity, with the aim of guiding policy.

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.

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.

Recent News

Jekyll into Hyde: Breathing auto emissions turns HDL cholesterol from 'good' to 'bad'

Academic researchers have found that breathing motor vehicle emissions triggers a change in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, altering its cardiovascular protective qualities so that it actually contributes to clogged arteries.

A quarter of Angelenos breathe noxious freeway pollutants every morning

Research led by Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences and IoES Professor Suzanne Paulson, conducted in collaboration with School of Public Health and IoES Professor Emeritus Arthur Winer, was published in science journal Atmospheric Environment.

UCLA researchers find potential link between auto pollution, some childhood cancers

Scientists from UCLA's Fielding School of Public Health led by Julia Heck, have found a possible link between exposure to traffic-related air pollution and several childhood cancers.

Air Pollution and Autism

Babies exposed to air pollution when in the womb are more likely to have autism, according to a UCLA study published Mar. 1, 2013, in Environmental Health Perspectives.

News archive >

Publications

Southern California Environmental Report Card Fall 2008: Air Pollution Impacts on Infants and Children

The Institute of the Environment launches new online Southern California Environmental Report Card with the Fall 2008 article: Air Pollution Impacts on Infants and Children by Beate Ritz, M.D., Ph.D. and Michelle Wilhelm, Ph.D.

Air Pollution

Read Air Pollution Article in the Southern California Environmental Report Card 2003