Expert: Dave Russell - 2/9/2006

Question
I've been wondering now for some time if it wouldn't be possible
to clean the smog or at least reduce it in a City like L.A., using a
large version of technology like an ionizer? What am i missing
here? Thanks for your time,
Sincerely, Monte Hill

Answer
Yes it would, but you are talking about paul bunyon sized equipment. One of the ways under consideration at one time was the moving of one or more of the mountains which surround LA to promote air exchange. The cost was too great, but less than the cost of the large equipment.
The operating cost would be also extremely large.
Probably on the order of the entire yearly municipal budget for Los Angeles every week.
Bottom line: it is cheaper to not generate the air pollutants in the first place, and LA has done a pretty good job... now if they could only get rid of automobiles, they might have a chance.
By the way, just a brief side point.  When Chevron wanted to build a new terminal in the harbor for petrolum transfer, they had to install the best available technology with the lowest net emissions for each type of pollutant emitted (principally hydrocarbons), and then provide emission offsets of about 1.4 lb for every lb of pollution emitted. As a result, they went around and bought out drycleaners and shut them down.  I understand that the remaining drycleaning operations tripled their prices, but that's another issue. Chevron got its permit because it complied with the regulations.

Dave