AIR DISTRICTS’ SUCCESSES IN 2014

AIR DISTRICTS’ SUCCESSES IN 2014

Some air districts also succeeded in meeting ozone targets. The Antelope Valley and Mojave Desert areas both attained the former federal 1-hour ozone standard. The Sutter Buttes area of the Feather River air district attained the federal 2008 8-hour ozone standard. For the San Diego area, 2014 was a record year as the county achieved its lowest ozone design value ever (79 ppb over an 8-hour period). For the second time in recorded history, the San Joaquin Valley experienced another full year in 2014 with no violations of the 1-hour ozone standard (second year in a row). Three counties came close to achieving the current ozone standard: San Luis Obispo area had three, Tuolumne County had two and Yolo-Solano had just one exceedance of the federal 8-hour ozone standard in 2014.

In 2014, the California Air Resources Board (ARB) reclassified Glenn County in attainment of both the state ozone and PM2.5 standards.

PUBLIC HEALTH BENEFITS OF CLEAN AIR

According to the most recent calculations from the ARB, exposure to current levels of PM2.5 is responsible for an estimated 7,300 cardiopulmonary-related deaths per year in California.³ The bulk of those deaths occur in the most polluted areas of the state: the South Coast air basin (4,300 estimated deaths per year) and the San Joaquin Valley (1,300 estimated deaths per year). Improving our air quality will save lives.

Cleaner air also reduces hospital visits. A 2010 study estimated that air pollution in the San Joaquin Valley and South Coast air basin was responsible for 30,000 hospital visits from 2005-2007. Statewide, the impacts of air pollution caused an estimate $193 million in medical costs during that three-year period.⁴

A recent study by University of Southern California (USC) scientists responsible for the landmark Children’s Health Study found that lung growth improved as air pollution declined during a 20-year-period for children aged 11 to 15 in five Southern California communities.⁵

Finally, there is a substantial economic benefit in cleaning up our air. A 2008 study estimated $22 billion annually in monetary value associated with air pollution health effects in the South Coast Air Basin and $6 billion annually in the San Joaquin Valley.⁶ The Bay Area AQMD’s 2010 Clean Air Plan estimates up to $1.5 billion in benefits annually in reduced medical costs, increased life expectancy and reduced impacts of climate change as air pollution control measures are implemented.⁷ Multiple studies have shown that the economic benefits of reduced medical costs, increased productivity due to improved health and decreased mortality rates far exceed the cost of pollution control measures.

CHALLENGES AHEAD

California’s ONGOING drought

The drought also increases the need for mechanical water pumping in lieu of natural irrigation, and many pumps throughout the state still operate on highly polluting diesel fuel. Drier conditions also reduce the natural cleansing effect of precipitation. And the lack of windy, unstable weather conditions during storms can result in longer episodes of stagnant air when particulate pollution builds up and reaches unhealthful levels.

Finally, the drought has been linked to increased frequency and intensity of wildfires throughout the state. Wildfire smoke contains toxic air contaminants and can quickly create high levels of fine particulates. In addition, large fires can also boost ozone production.

New science of toxic risks

Research analyzed by the state’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) has found that previous methodologies underestimated the health risk of cancer-causing air pollutants. While emissions of these pollutants have been ratcheted down significantly, the new methodologies suggest that continued efforts are vital to lower the risk of airborne toxics.

Individual air districts, CAPCOA and the ARB are working together to develop policies, rule amendments and outreach plans to address these new findings and better protect public health from toxic air contaminants.