FRESNO -- The California Air Resources Board (ARB) today approved an air quality plan to address the San Joaquin Valley's federal non-attainment status for particulate matter. The plan outlines state and local strategies to cut 245 tons per day (TPD) of Valley particulate matter emissions in order to meet health-based air quality standards set forth in federal law.
 
"We have worked closely with the air district to assure that progress will be made to reduce particulate emissions and protect the health of residents in the San Joaquin Valley," said ARB Chairman, Dr. Alan C. Lloyd.

The plan, specifically for particulate matter measuring 10 microns or less in size (PM10), includes measures set forth by both the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (air district) and the ARB. The local air district has jurisdiction over stationary area-wide sources of pollution and serves as a coordinating partner in transportation planning for the region. The ARB regulates statewide air pollution sources such as on- and off-road mobile sources and the fuels that power those engines. The proposed plan is required to demonstrate attainment of federal health standards by 2010.

The air district has outlined the following new proposed PM10 controls for the following sources:

• Agricultural Irrigation Engines (Opacity)
• Cotton Gins
• Dryers
• Wineries
• Glass-Melting Furnaces
• Gas-Fired Oilfield Steam Generators
• Steam Enhanced Crude Oil Production Well Vents
• Small Boilers, Steam Generators and Process Heaters
• Water Heaters (Industrial, Commercial and Institutional)
• Residential Wood Combustion
• Residential Space Heating
• Paved and Unpaved Roads, Parking Lots and Staging Areas, Construction Activities and Disturbed Open Areas             
• Plus a proposed Conservation Management Practice program to cut dust from on-field agriculture operations, developed in consultation with the agriculture industry and
• A mitigation fee on new indirect 'destination' sources (like shopping malls and distribution centers) that attract vehicle travel. The funds would provide incentives for other sources to reduce emissions, beyond applicable requirements.

 The ARB has proposed the following new areas of control in addition to those that have already been previously adopted:

• Existing Passenger Vehicles
• New and Existing Heavy-Duty Trucks and Buses
• New and Existing Off-Road Industrial Equipment Including Forklifts, and
• Existing Off-Road Heavy-Duty Diesel Equipment.

These  ARB measures will contribute 10.5 TPD to the plan.

"To be sure we are doing everything possible to address valley pollution I have asked the ARB staff to determine if there is anything more that can be done between now and 2006," added Lloyd.

In the San Joaquin Valley, PM10 is a complex mixture of particles resulting from primary and secondary sources. Primary sources include dust and soot, while secondary sources include aerosol droplets formed in the atmosphere by precursor chemicals. In winter, nitrogen oxides (NOx) and ammonia react to form particulate ammonium nitrate, which also contributes to ozone formation.

Because these particles are so small, they bypass our body's defenses, deposit in the respiratory tract and can lodge deep in the lungs.  Exposure to airborne particles also aggravates respiratory illnesses like asthma, bronchitis, emphysema and pneumonia.

To view a copy of the plan, click here.