James N. Pitts Jr. (January 10, 1921 – June 19, 2014) was an American chemist and researcher known for his work in the fields of photochemistry and atmospheric chemistry.
[3] According to the chair of the Air Resources Board, Mary Nichols, "Jim Pitts was probably the single person most responsible for the understanding of what strategies we need to clean up Southern California's air...He was able to explain all of this in English to policymakers so that they would be able to accept that it was going to take extensive and difficult actions to control emissions.
The ensuing chemical reaction, which quickly produced a fog, demonstrated the formation of smog in the atmosphere.
[1] Pitts was born on January 10, 1921, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Esther (née Bengtson) and James N.
[3] He left during World War II, joining a group of young scientists who conducted classified chemical warfare field tests.
He was survived by his wife, Barbara Finlayson-Pitts, and three daughters, Linda Lee, Christie Hoffman and Beckie St.