Efforts such as this are increasingly important in our fight against smog. The warmer the temperature, the greater the smog, which is why summer is the most challenging time. Moreover, in previous summers following El Nino events, higher than normal Bay Area temperatures have caused air quality to suffer. The El Nino event of 1998, now considered over, was particularly pronounced. Smog can impair breathing among children and the elderly and can aggravate respiratory illness.
Vehicle emissions are the biggest source of smog-forming pollutants.
On average, each car or light truck generates nearly one pound of pollution per day, which adds up to slightly more than 35 percent of all smog-forming emissions in the Bay Area. In addition, household consumer products, such as cleaners, hair sprays and deodorants, produce 43 tons of pollution per day, while gas-powered lawn equipment produces 5.4 tons of pollution per day.