(January 20, 2005) -- The CA Air Resources Board (ARB) has awarded a six figure research grant to study black particles spewed by aircraft into residential areas downwind of LAX...a type of pollution that has been cited at numerous public meetings by LB residents concerning LB Airport.

The ARB approved $117,986 (from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) for "Monitoring and Modeling of Ultrafine Particulates and Black Carbon at the Los Angeles International Airport."

The 24 month research project "will seek to characterize near-source and downwind particulate matter levels, analyze temporal patterns of emissions and investigate the contribution of aircraft emissions in residential areas." It will be conducted by Dr. John Froines of UCLA.

A power point graphic provided by CA ARB indicates the objective is "to characterize near source and downwind PM [particulate matter] levels, analyze temporal patterns of emissions and investigate the contribution of aircraft emissions in residential areas." The power lists "expected results" as indicating "the contribution of emissions from aircraft take-offs and landings to fine and ultra-fine PM levels in residential areas downwind of LAX."

Over the course of several years, multiple residents from Belmont Shore to Los Altos and the Wrigley District to Virginia Country Club have described black particles covering their outdoor furniture, three garden plants and their cars.