How does air pollution relate to elevation?

Question

I live in Los Angeles and air pollution here is really bad. Currently I live near the free way so the quality of air is bad as it could be. I want to move to high elevation on the top of the hill. It feels like the air is cooler and crisper up there. My questions: Is there less smog as you move up elevation?? Is air quality better in high elevation even in the smack of LA? (ie: up in hollywood hills or diamond bar area)

Answer 1

Most pollutants in smog are particles of stuff that are suspended in the air. In general, they are more dense, and therefore will sink to the bottom. So, most of the smog will be closer to the earth, but it will only be noticable at a fairly high elevation.

Answer 2

The reason the smog sticks in the valley is because the particulates that make up the pollution are heavier. So, the smog settles. It takes a good strong wind to move through the area and blow the pollution out of the valley.

Mexico City, Phoenix, and LA are all examples of valley cities with bad air pollution any time a high pressure area settles in.

Your observation that moving to a higher point is absolutely right. In fact, you can climb mountains and look down on the pollution and see it as a brown cloud. And, yes, the quality of the air does improve when you get up above the smog.

Answer 3

I dont know, but air losses its weight after getting heat and shifted to high altitude until it gets equal density of the air climate. If you are living in temperate region, the elevation might be very near to heated area (polluted area), if you are in tropical region it takes some distance to get dense due to the huumidity, air temperature, season etc. You have asked about a thesis quwestion. Great.

Answer 4

If you live in a valley surrounded by mts. the smog just hangs around . so yes, higher elevation is much better..................

Answer 5

sometimes but its not good to begin with and must be changed befor its to late .if only we can stop the gass and oil .