|
California's Clean
Air Agency
|
| California's
Legislature established the Air Resources Board (ARB) in 1967 to: |
- Attain and maintain healthy air quality.
- Conduct research into the causes of and solutions to
air pollution.
- Systematically
attack the serious problems caused by motor vehicles, which are a
major cause of air pollution in the State.
|
| Since
its formation (see a history of ARB), the ARB has
worked with the public, the business sector, and local governments
to protect the public's health, the economy and the state's
ecological resources through the most cost-effective reduction of air
pollution. |
| The
Governing Board |
| The
Air Resources Board's eleven members are appointed by
the Governor. Five are experts in fields such as medicine, chemistry,
physics, meteorology, engineering, business and law. Five others are
elected officials who represent regional air pollution control
agencies - one each from Los Angeles region, San Francisco Bay area,
San Diego, and the San JoaquinValley, and one
represents the other districts. The Chairman is the only
full-time member. |
| The
Staff |
| Under
the direction of the executive officer, a dedicated staff of
scientists, engineers, and other professionals conducts
the daily work of the ARB. With headquarters in Sacramento,
the ARB also operates a motor vehicle testing and analysis
laboratory in El Monte. |
| The
Air Is Cleaner |
| California's
air pollution control program is one of the most effective in the
world. Coordinated state, regional, and local efforts have steadily
improved our air quality. As a result, the air is the cleanest in years. |
| For
example, in the Los Angeles area - the most seriously polluted region
in the nation - the highest levels of pollution have dropped
by 25 percent since 1980. Annual exposure to smog has decreased
by 50 percent. |
| But
Pollution is Still a Problem |
| Despite
these improvements, California continues to face the nation's greatest
air quality challenge. The state's sunny climate,
pollution-trapping mountains and valleys, along with the activities of
32 million Californians all contribute to the problem. |
| If you live here, you've experienced
it first hand. Every year more than 90 percent of all Californians
breathe unhealthy, polluted air. This harms our health and the
economy. |
| Air
Pollution Harms Our Health |
| Health
problems linked to air pollution range from eye irritation, sore
throats, and coughing to lung damage, cancer, and premature death.Those
with heart or lung disease or problems such as asthma can be severely
impaired. Healthy children and adults who play or exercise
vigorously are also at risk. See Film Clip. |
| And
the Economy |
| Every
year, Californians lose billions of dollars due to air pollution. The
cost of health-related problems, plus damage to crops, forests, and
wild vegetation, all add up to a big drain on California's economy.
Air pollution is something we can't afford. |
| What
the ARB Does |
| Programs
for cleaner air range from research and regulation to enforcement and
education. The ARB: |
|
|
| Solutions
for Cleaner Air |
| California
has reduced air pollution through: |
- Car
and truck emission standards that dramatically reduce pollution.
Today's new cars pollute about 90 percent less than
cars in the early 1970's.
- A
zero-emission
vehicle program that spurs the production of cars and trucks with
no direct air pollution emissions.
- Cleaner-burning
fuels that cut pollution from all gasoline and diesel vehicles and
equipment. Cleaner-burning gasoline, required statewide by
June 1996, cuts smog-forming pollution by 15 percent
and cancer risk from gasoline by 30 percent.
- Consumer products regulations that
reduce smog-forming emissions by about 60 tons
a day by 1999. In 1995, consumer products
produced 250 tons of air pollution a day.
- Air toxics control
measures that apply to over 7000 businesses and to all
motor vehicles. Risk from cancer or birth defects is reduced
through prevention and control methods that
are up to 100 percent effective for
the most significant air toxics.
- Training and literature that
help businesses understand and comply with air pollution rules.
- Educational programs that increase the
environmental awareness of businesses and the general public.
|
| Looking
Forward |
| The
air is cleaner, but not clean enough. The ARB adopted its 2007 State Implementation Plan,
a detailed plan to
clean up air pollution region by region in the next decade. In
addition,
the ARB is now a lead state agency in California's effort to reduce greenhouse gases. |
| Even
then, cleaning up the air will take more than government regulations.
It will hinge on how companies conduct their business and how
individuals live their lives. Everyone doing their part is our best
chance for clean, healthful air for all Californians. |
