Project Summary

Strict air pollution rules have lowered harmful substances in California's air, but ozone and tiny particle levels still exceed safe limits in many places. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), which contribute to this pollution, come from various sources. While vehicle emissions have dropped, those from factories, homes, and natural sources remain high. Rising global temperatures could make the situation worse, but we don't know how much.

To address this problem, a 2021 project used research aircraft to measure VOC and NOx emissions across California. These measurements will be compared with existing emission records, helping California improve its pollution data and models. This will guide future strategies to reduce harmful ozone and particle pollution.