Plant Damage by Air Pollution
TLDR Air pollution has caused over $3 million in crop damage annually in Los Angeles since 1953.
Visible injury to crops in the Los Angeles area due to air pollution has resulted in annual losses exceeding $3,000,000 since 1953. The study discusses the effects of pollutants such as ethylene, fluorides, herbicides, oxidized hydrocarbons, ozone, and sulfur dioxide on crops, which can cause symptoms ranging from leaf discoloration to leaf drop. Different plants show varying sensitivity to these pollutants, with significant damage observed in crops like cotton, grapes, peas, tomatoes, melons, broccoli, sugar beets, lettuce, alfalfa, citrus trees, and many ornamental plants.