Air Pollution Research

This page last reviewed November 4, 2009

Research Planning and Committees

Background	The Legislature created the Board’s research program in 1971 and identified it as an integral part of an effective air pollution control program. With the mandate as its foundation, theprogram encompasses all aspects of air pollution. The program has and continues to sponsor relevant research of the highest scientific quality that accordingly serves as the foundation for effective regulatory decisions. Based on the complex nature of California’s air pollution problem and solutions and in order to make effective decisions, research requires a comprehensive look at the interrelationships among air pollution issues. To assist the Board in managing a technically sound research program, the Legislature created the Research Screening Committee to oversee the program. ARB’s scientific technical staff serve as contract managers and closely monitor and manage the work performed by outside contractors.
Research Plan	The Annual Research Plan describes the research projects the Board will recommend funding for the following fiscal year. The latest Annual Research Plan can be viewed by following this link Planned Air Pollution Research for Fiscal Year 2009/2010 (PDF). Please view our additional information about the planning process. ARB's regulatory priorities for the next decade are detailed in the Strategic Plan for Research, April 2003 Update (1,511 KB PDF) The objective of the plan is to provide more focused direction for ARB's research program, provide findings in a timely fashion, and better leverage state funds. Implementing a Strategic Plan will help ensure that limited resources are used efficiently and that the research efforts will effectively serve the need of the ARB. In addition to the Strategic and Annual Research Plans, ARB conducts vulnerable populations research. The overall goal of the Vulnerable Populations Research Program (VPRP) is to provide the scientific support, through research efforts, for ARB's regulatory and non-regulatory programs that aim to protect all California residents, including those subpopulations considered especially vulnerable, from the adverse effects of air pollution. The major objectives of the VPRP are to identify susceptible subpopulations, to quantify the degree to which their health is compromised, and to characterize their exposure to air pollutants. The ARB has released the VPRP 2003 Progress Report and Research Plan which presents ARB's past and current activities and priorities for future activities in the implementation of this Program. For more information about the VPRP, contact Dr. Alvaro Alvarado at (916) 445-4843. The Board sponsors a program called the Innovative Clean Air Technologies (ICAT) program that co-funds the demonstration of innovative technologies that can reduce air pollution.
Committees	The Board-appointed Research Screening Committee (RSC) oversees the ARB’s extramural research program. The Scientific Review Panel (SRP) is charged with evaluating the risk assessments of substances proposed for identification as toxic air contaminants.

For more information about Air Pollution Research, contact Dr. Susan Fischer at (916) 324-0627 or sfischer@arb.ca.gov.