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This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.

KPCC Archive

The air in some of California's national parks is just as bad (or worse) than LA

Haze in Joshua Tree National Park on June 26, 2018, a day with high ozone levels.
Haze in Joshua Tree National Park on June 26, 2018, a day with high ozone levels.
(
NPS
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Listen 0:56
The air in some of California's national parks is just as bad (or worse) than LA

A new study found that air pollution in Joshua Tree and Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks rivals Los Angeles. Both parks are downwind of the most polluted air basins in the country: Los Angeles and the San Joaquin Valley. Pollution in the parks can mar scenic vistas and make it unhealthy to hike.

This story is part of Elemental: Covering Sustainability, a new multimedia collaboration between Cronkite News, Arizona PBS, KJZZ, KPCC, Rocky Mountain PBS and PBS SoCal.

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