<p>I am accepted RD to Pomona and I LOVE it! There's only one thing I'm concerned about --- pollution. </p>
<p>I am a really sensitive person and I have some problems with my throats. I can't talk too much, can't smell people smoke, and can't eat spicy food, or I'll have a sore throat. I now live in a heavily polluted city, so I hope to go to a college where I can breathe some clear air, which may help with my throat issue. </p>
<p>I am now deciding between Pomona, Middlebury, and Bowdoin. I know that Middlebury and Bowdoin both have great air quality. But for now I do prefer Pomona because of the opportunities provided by the Claremont Consortium. </p>
<p>However, I have heard that Claremont has smog every spring and summer so I'm quite concerned about it. I have seen people saying that the pollution was really bad years ago, but has become better in recent years. How is the air quality now? Does anyone has any experience living there now or recently? Thanks a lot.</p>
<p>Congratulations on your acceptance! D '09 didn’t experience any smog during her years there. From what I understand, when there’s a wildfire in the area or in LA, the smoke can settle near campus but the winds often blow it away. That’s not saying that the air quality is always perfect, but it’s definitely nowhere near as bad as it was years ago.</p>
<p>There are days when the smog is so heavy that you can’t see the mountains, like once or twice every month. However, the smog rarely, or more accurately, never rolls down into Claremont- the mountains block them from coming into the town of Claremont (we have mountains sorrounding us in three sides). The air quality is great just about every day- I’ve never noticed any problems breathing here. I’ve visited LA a good 20 days or so and trust me I know what pollution is- Claremont doesn’t get it.</p>
<p>It’s the best of both worlds- you get to see the beautiful smog sunsets, but you never really experience the smog!</p>
<p>Pollen can be the big issue here during spring time, if anything…</p>
<p>I have to agree that it is better than it was, but I couldn’t say there is never smog. But bottom line, I wouldn’t let air quality be a concern at all. My son who just graduated from Mudd has had asthma since he was little. He had many fewer issues in Claremont than on the East Coast. As a precaution, he got an air purifier for his dorm room, but never had a problem except the couple of times that there were wildfires, but that was pretty extraordinary. Just once there was ash and everyone stayed indoors. He said that it was more interesting than anything else. The Claremont Consortium is pretty amazing.</p>
<p>EndOfTheWorld, thank you for your help. Btw, “It’s the best of both worlds- you get to see the beautiful smog sunsets, but you never really experience the smog!” This is amazing!</p>