Sheldon K. Friedlander dies; he determined exact sources of smog in '70s

The man who figured out how to identify sources of smog particles passed away last week in Los Angeles. According to his obituary in the Los Angeles Times, Sheldon K. Friedlander, 79, devised a way to analyze smog data and determine who or what was contributing to the horrendous air pollution in the Los Angeles basin in the early '70s. Friedlander's research while at Caltech was so precise he could link lead particles in gasoline as well as zinc from tires. He later moved to UCLA and was a leading expert on aerosol technology. His efforts were also instrumental in addressing other environmental concerns such as hazardous waste and smokestack emissions. For 16 years, Friedlander headed up the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee, which provides independent advice to the EPA. He is survived by his wife, Marjorie, and four children.
[Source: Valerie J. Nelson / Los Angeles Times]