Investigation on Injury to Plants from Air Pollution in the Los Angeles Area

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Abstract
Leaf injury to plants, particularly leafy vegetable crops, was first noticed in the Los Angeles area in 1944 and has increased in severity since then. The production of a metallic glaze or silvering on the lower surface of leaves of spinach, beet, and endive especially distinguishes this damage from the effect of previously known toxic materials such as SO2 or HF. The reaction products of ozone with unsaturated hydrocarbons produced typical smog damage on all indicator plants. This action is due to peroxides formed in the oxidation. The catalytic oxidation of the olefins with NO2 under the influence of light produces products with similar action on plants. Opt. effects were obtained by using olefins with 5 and 6 carbon atoms. The concns. of ozone, as well as those of the N oxides used in these fumigations, are well within the range of those found in the Los Angeles atmosphere. In plant fumigations with oxidation products of olefins, lachrymatory effects were often observed. These investigations demonstrate the utility of plants in the analysis of air pollutants. They further show for the first time that hydrocarbons, normally harmless air pollutants, can cause damage through their reaction with substances known to be present in the polluted air.

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