Children in recent years breathed cleaner air

Smog-covered mountains, gritty sidewalks, smelly fumes from traffic-choked freeways. The Los Angeles area was a tough place to breathe several decades ago. Now a study shows how much that has changed, especially for the region's youngest residents. Children in recent years breathed cleaner air and had stronger lungs compared to those who were studied two decades earlier, researchers found. The improved health coincided with drastic reductions in pollution in the Los Angeles basin and surrounding areas as air quality regulators cracked down on emissions from tailpipes and smokestacks. While the research focused on smog check inspection in Southern California, the results suggest that other cities with dirty air may see a health boost with a cleanup effort. Since pollutants such as particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide tend to be higher in cities, reducing "those pollutants should lead to improved health for children living in any urban environment," said lead researcher Jim …
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Referee Program (2)

Hard to Find Emission Parts Locator Service The Referee offers a Hard to Find Emission Parts Loca tor Service to assist consumers whose vehicles fail Smog Check inspections because of missing or modified emission-related parts that are difficult to find. The vehicle may be eligible for a Limited Parts Exemption if the Referee confirms the part is not available. Consumers requesting a Limited Parts Exemption must have their vehicle inspected by a Referee Center. The Hard to Find Emissions Parts Locator Service can be reached at (800) 622-7733. Vehicle Design Issues Affecting the Ability to Inspect The Referee can help consumers with vehicles that are too large to enter a Smog Check facility, or too wide or heavy to fit on a dynamometer. Vehicles with Emission Control Configuration Issues Referees can also assist consumers with vehicles that have difficulties passing a Smog Check inspection due to unusual emission control component configurations. Vehicles Modified for use by Di…
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