California's air is the worst in the nation. New programs may help us breathe a little easier.
by Alice Martinez
he U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) announced
its final approval of California's plans to meet federal health standards
in six areas of the state that suffer from unhealthy levels of ozone pollution
in the air. Ozone - the primary ingredient in smog - plagues many urban
areas around the country, but its highest levels and most severe health
impacts are still found in the Los Angeles basin and other areas of California
including Ventura and Sacramento.
Under the Clean Air Act, states with unhealthful
air quality are required to submit plans demonstrating how health standards
for ground-level ozone, or smog, will be met by the deadlines set forth
in the law. Ground-level ozone causes health problems by damaging lung tissue
and sensitizing the lungs to other irritants. Studies show that regular
exposure to ozone at concentrations found in many heavily populated areas
of California can significantly reduce lung function in normal, healthy
people during periods of moderate exercise. People with asthma, the elderly
and children are especially at risk.
"The EPA's goal has always been to work
with the state to develop its own clean air plan that makes economic and
environmental sense for the people of California. We are approving this
plan, which sets out a blueprint for the state to bring healthy air to all
Californians," said Felicia Marcus, regional administrator for U.S.
EPA's western region. "But even with this important first step, we
must remain vigilant to ensure that public health is protected and that
today's commitment turns into action."
The plan, which includes "Smog Check II"
to identify and crack down on "gross polluters," is already under
attack (see related story on Smog Check II, page 8). State Senate President
Pro Tem Dill Lockyer, D-San Leandro, and 61 other state legislators called
for a temporary suspension of Smog Check II due to complaints and lobbying
by gross polluters and mechanics seeing the new system as threatening to
their interests.
Initially submitted in late 1994, the plan
received preliminary approval early this year pending public review and
comment. In the interim, innovative state programs such as those requiring
cleaner-burning fuels and improved vehicle maintenance have already begun
contributing to improved air quality. In addition, U.S. EPA recently proposed
to tighten national emission standards for heavy-duty trucks and buses,
finalized new standards for lawn and garden equipment and marine vessels.
Together with California, they reached an agreement with manufacturers to
establish stringent standards for diesel engines used in construction and
farm equipment. These and other initiatives will benefit air quality in
California and throughout the country.
Although California's air quality has improved
markedly in recent years, it remains the worst in the nation. More than
three-quarters of all Californians are currently exposed to health-threatening
levels of air pollution, and the South Coast air basin exceeded national
health standards for smog on 98 days in 1995.
California's State Implementation Plan covers
seven areas - the South Coast (including Los Angeles), Southeast Desert,
Ventura, Sacramento, San Joaquin, San Diego, and Santa Barbara air basins.
The Clean Air Act sets the attainment deadlines for the areas based upon
the extent of their existing pollution. The South Coast must attain the
health-based air quality standards by 2010, the Southeast Desert by 2007,
Ventura and Sacramento by 2005, San Joaquin and San Diego by 1999, and Santa
Barbara by 1996.
The plans for the seven areas include emission
inventories, rate-of-progress plans, air quality modeling, attainment demonstrations,
and control measure commitments. U.S. EPA is formally approving all of the
plan elements except for Santa Barbara. The agency is not acting on Santa
Barbara's plan at this time because of recorded ozone violations this year.
U.S. EPA is also exploring opportunities for
further emission reductions. With a public meeting in Los Angeles two months
ago, U.S. EPA kicked off a yearlong consultative process in which representatives
of industry, environmental groups, and state and local governments will
work together to find the best solutions for reducing pollution from wide-traveling
sources such as jet airliners and ships. Further emission reductions from
sources such as these could play an important role in the attainment of
air quality standards in California's heavily polluted areas, as well as
improving air quality in other parts of the country. U.S. EPA expects to
hold a second meeting in the Los Angeles area in October or November, focusing
on ways to reduce pollution at the ports and airports.
The text of U.S. EPA's final action is available
on the Internet's World Wide Web at the U.S. EPA Region 9 site (http://www.epa.gov/region09) under Air
Programs.
