Why is the air quality in California so bad?

Question

Is it just because of the wildfires or what?

Answer 1

The biggest reasons are (1) there is usually a "temperature inversion" near which does not allow smog to mix vertically (it's trapped near the surface and (2) there are so many people.

The air quality looks bad sometimes when it isn't.  On days after foggy nights, the air will look bad because of the number of sea salt particles left in the air, but the air is really ok.

Answer 2

so much exhaust from traffic and pollution... also smog from the smoke, cars, and factories

Answer 3

smog

Answer 4

well first reason is because of all the large cities in california. los angeles, san jose, san francisco, oakland, palm springs, beverly hills, thousand oaks. all these cities are largely populated. second of all the fies in california blow smake in the air for many miles causeing bad air quality

Answer 5

not all of california air is bad... i live in garden grove in orange county & the air is perfectly clean. the last time i remember it wasn't was from the big wildfires a few months ago. but up in parts of los angeles, that's where it can be gross from all the smog almost everyday

Answer 6

Probably all the wildfires. The smoke from them can blow very long distances, creating unhealthy air in many areas.

Answer 7

Cars and Hollywood stars