2011-02-09: 100th Anniversary of Southern California Section

February Dinner Meeting

Come Celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Southern California Section!

Wednesday, February 9th, 2011

Steven’s Steakhouse
5332 E. Stevens Place
Los Angeles, CA 90040

“There and Back Again, a Historical Tale of Air Quality in Southern California”
Jason Low
South Coast Air Quality Management District

6:00 pm check-in
7:00 pm dinner
8:00 pm presentation

Abstract: Air pollution is a significant concern to residents living in Southern California and has been for over a century. Different types and levels of air pollution can cause or contribute to everything from watery eyes and fatigue to respiratory disease, lung damage, cancer, birth defects and premature death. There are many different sources, both biogenic and anthropogenic, that contribute to the air pollution levels.

The presentation will compare and contrast Southern California air quality as presented 100 years ago to that of today and summarize the historical progress that has been made in one of the nation’s most polluted air environments. An overview of the toxic chemical emissions, chemistry, meteorology and transport which contribute to the challenges to air quality in Southern California and a synopsis of the current tools in air quality regulation that are used to improve air quality for the future will be given.

Biography: Jason Low is the Quality Assurance Manager of the Monitoring and Analysis Division of the SCAQMD. He leads the Branch that is responsible for ensuring the quality of the environmental measurement data produced by AQMD meets or exceeds the state and federal specifications.

Jason graduated from the University of California, Irvine with a B.S. in Chemistry, a B.S. in Biology, and an M.S. and Ph. D in Analytical Chemistry with a focus on atmospheric chemistry. His graduate research involved ambient air studies which included one in the South Coast Basin. He has experience working in the AQMD laboratory performing technical analytical work on projects related to federally mandated programs such as PAMS and PM2.5 monitoring. He has taken the lead on special projects within large studies such as MATES III and also coordinated laboratory involvement in the AQMD emergency response program which included outreach to local first responder agencies.

His current role at the AQMD provides him the responsibility for the implementation, development and assessment, maintenance of the Monitoring and Analysis Division quality system. This system encompasses the project documentation, methods, training, and QC work performed in the Laboratory and Source Test Engineering and Atmospheric Measurements Branches. Also, he is a co-coordinator for the AQMD monitoring response to regional wildfires that may affect ambient air quality.

He enjoys his new role as a father to his infant son, Zephyr. Zephyr’s first name, meaning “west wind,” combines with his middle name, Riku, meaning “clear skies,” as a reminder that the goal of good air quality is an important legacy that should be passed on from generation to generation.

Cost: There is a choice of Prime Rib or King Salmon for dinner. Vegetarian entrée available upon request. The cost is $35 including wine with dinner, tax, and tip, payable at the door with cash or check.

Reservations: Please call Nancy Paradiso in the Section Office at (310) 327–1216 or email office-at-scalacs-dot-org by Monday, February 7, 2011.

Directions: To access Google maps from their website, go to http://www.stevenssteakhouse.com/home/driving_directions. From the 5 Fwy. Northbound, exit Atlantic South. Make a right turn off exit. Stay in the middle lane and go under the bridge. Stay in the left lane and Stevens will be on your right. From the 5 Fwy. Southbound, exit Atlantic-Eastern Avenue. The restaurant is straight ahead off the exit. From the 710 Long Beach Fwy. North, exit Atlantic North. Continue north on Atlantic. Pass Washington Blvd., go 3 lights. The next street is Stevens Place. Turn right to Stevens. There is free parking in the rear of the building.