Skip to content
CapRadio

CapRadio

signal status listen live donate
listen live donate signal status
listen live donate signal status
  • News
    • topics
    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Race and Equity
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
  • Music
    • genres
    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Eclectic
    • Daily Playlist
  • Programs + Podcasts
    • news
    • Morning Edition
    • All Things Considered
    • Marketplace
    • Insight With Vicki Gonzalez
    • music
    • Acid Jazz
    • At the Opera
    • Classical Music
    • Connections
    • Excellence in Jazz
    • Hey, Listen!
    • K-ZAP on CapRadio
    • Mick Martin's Blues Party
    • Programs A-Z
    • Podcast Directory
  • Schedules
    • News
    • Music
    • ClassicalStream
    • JazzStream
    • Weekly Schedule
    • Daily Playlist
  • Community
    • Events Calendar
    • CapRadio Garden
    • CapRadio Reads
    • Ticket Giveaways
  • Support
    • Evergreen Gift
    • One-Time Gift
    • Corporate Support
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Gift
    • Legacy Gift
    • Endowment Gift
    • Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • e‑Newsletter
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Close Menu
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
  • Environment
  • State Government
  •  

Study Shows "Cool Roofs" Could Increase Air Pollution

  •  Amy Quinton 
Monday, August 7, 2017 | Sacramento, CA
TravelingOtter / Flickr
 

TravelingOtter / Flickr

Numerous studies show that replacing darker roofs with highly reflective materials can reduce temperatures and cut energy costs.

It’s why utilities across the state offer incentives for installation. But a study by the South Coast Air Quality Management District suggests that cool roofs in Southern California can slightly increase ozone and smog. 

“We just want to be very careful to not discourage the use of this technology because really a complete analysis of all of the benefits and potential negative air quality effects really needs to be considered before drawing any conclusions,” says Scott Epstein, an air quality specialist at the South Coast Air Quality Management District and the study’s lead author.

Epstein says it’s worth studying to see if cool roofs in other parts of the state could increase ozone. He says the increase in air pollution could be avoided with more comprehensive standards for cool roofing materials. The study was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 

Follow us for more stories like this

CapRadio provides a trusted source of news because of you.  As a nonprofit organization, donations from people like you sustain the journalism that allows us to discover stories that are important to our audience. If you believe in what we do and support our mission, please donate today.

Donate Today  

 energy efficiencyLos Angelessmogozoneair pollutioncool roofsSouth Coast Air Quality Management District

Amy Quinton

Former Environment Reporter

Amy came to Sacramento from New Hampshire Public Radio (NHPR) where she was Environment Reporter. Amy has also reported for NPR member stations WFAE in Charlotte, WAMU in Washington D.C. and American Public Media's "Marketplace."  Read Full Bio 

Sign up for ReCap and never miss the top stories

Delivered to your inbox every Friday.

 

Check out a sample ReCap newsletter.

Thanks for subscribing!

Thank you for signing up for the ReCap newsletter! We'll send you an email each Friday with the top stories from CapRadio.

Browse all newsletters

More Environment Stories

Manola Secaira / CapRadio

Californians still want clean, safe water a decade after state declared it a human right

August 11, 2022

Ben Margot / AP Photo

A cataclysmic flood is coming for California. Climate change makes it more likely.

August 14, 2022

Most Viewed

Stalled U.S. Forest Service project could have protected California town from Caldor Fire destruction

Who is Harriet Hageman, the woman who beat Liz Cheney in the Wyoming House race?

California coronavirus updates: WHO renames monkeypox subvariants away from regional signifiers

Northern California wildfires: Where to find updates on air quality, evacuations, and official information

California coronavirus updates: First Lady Jill Biden tests positive for COVID-19

We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter

Most Viewed

Stalled U.S. Forest Service project could have protected California town from Caldor Fire destruction

Who is Harriet Hageman, the woman who beat Liz Cheney in the Wyoming House race?

California coronavirus updates: WHO renames monkeypox subvariants away from regional signifiers

Northern California wildfires: Where to find updates on air quality, evacuations, and official information

California coronavirus updates: First Lady Jill Biden tests positive for COVID-19

Back to Top

  • CapRadio

    7055 Folsom Boulevard
    Sacramento, CA 95826-2625

    • (916) 278-8900
    • Toll-free (877) 480-5900
    • Email Us
    • Submit a News Tip
  • Contact Us

  • About Us

    • Contact Us / Feedback
    • Coverage
    • Directions
    • Careers & Internships
    • Mission / Vision / Core Values
    • Press
    • Staff Directory
    • Board of Directors
  • Listening Options

    • Mobile App
    • On Air Schedules
    • Smart Speakers
    • Playlist
    • Podcasts
    • RSS
  • Connect With Us

    •  Facebook
    •  Twitter
    •  Instagram
    •  YouTube
  • Donate

  • Listen

  • Newsletters

CapRadio stations are licensed to California State University, Sacramento. © 2022, Capital Public Radio. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Website Feedback FCC Public Files: KXJZ KKTO KUOP KQNC KXPR KXSR KXJS. For assistance accessing our public files, please call 916-278-8900 or email us.