Los Angeles is outpacing Houston in the race for the title of America’s smoggiest city. So far this year, L.A. has had 34 days when ozone in the air exceeded national standards, compared to Houston’s 26 days. Still, the worst air pollution in Houston has been dirtier than the worst in L.A., with a high of 208 parts per billion of ozone compared to 180 in L.A. Last year, Houston had more violation days than L.A. for the first time, and Vice President Al Gore and environmentalists have filled the airwaves with news of the development, saying it is evidence of Texas Gov. George W. Bush’s poor environmental stewardship.
