Skip to main content

The science of smog - Kim Preshoff

1,005,757 Views

39,140 Questions Answered

TEDEd Animation

Let’s Begin…

On July 26, 1943, Los Angeles was blanketed by a thick gas that stung people’s eyes and blocked out the Sun. Panicked residents believed their city had been attacked using chemical warfare. But the cloud wasn’t an act of war. It was smog. So what is this thick gray haze actually made of? And why does it affect some cities and not others? Kim Preshoff details the science behind smog.

About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Kim Preshoff
  • Director Mauricio Vargas
  • Script Editor Alex Gendler
  • Producer Andrés F. Urbina
  • Art Director Maria Camila Gómez
  • Illustrator Oscar Reyes
  • Compositor María Alejandra Torres
  • Composer Camilo Vega
  • Sound Designer Camilo Vega
  • Associate Producer Jessica Ruby
  • Content Producer Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Producer Alex Rosenthal
  • Narrator Julianna Zarzycki

More from Our Changing Climate