March 12, 1999

•  Early Analysis of Toxics Study Finds Health Risk Down
• Permit Streamlining Task Force Recommendations Approved
• Diesel Replacement Fund Program Approved by Board
• Tighter Rules Proposed for Paints, Petroleum Coke, RECLAIM
• Rules Adopted on Nickel, Pharmaceuticals
• Environmental Justice Policy Covers Portable Equipment

In Other News:

• Town Hall Meeting Set on Air Impacts of LAX Expansion

Preliminary data from a year-long study of exposure to toxic air pollution has corroborated a trend detected by California Air Resources Board monitoring stations here showing cancer risk from toxic air pollution has declined more than 40% since 1990. Air monitoring of over 30 toxic air pollutants in AQMD’s Multiple Air Toxics Exposure Study II will not conclude for another month, so the final results are subject to change. Data analyzed for the first nine months of the study indicate a long-term decline in levels of toxic air pollution due to the extensive efforts to clean up both industries and motor vehicles under AQMD and state Air Resources Board regulations.

AQMD is monitoring toxic air pollutants at 10 fixed sites in MATES II. So far the estimated cancer risk ranges from slightly less than 300 in a million to slightly less than 500 in a million at those sites, with an overall regional average of 420 in a million. This compares to a cancer risk of about 1,000 in a million in Burbank in 1990. Even higher risks were found in AQMD’s MATES I study published in 1988. The preliminary results of the MATES II study are consistent with a Congressional report released earlier this month by Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.). The MATES II data so far show that motor vehicle emissions account for about two-thirds of the cancer risk and stationary sources the remaining third.

AQMD’s ongoing study also involves using mobile monitors to measure toxic pollutants in 14 neighborhoods adjacent to industries or major freeways. Preliminary data from the mobile sites show cancer risk levels that closely track the risk levels at the nearest MATES II fixed sites.

In presenting the preliminary information to the Board, the staff stressed that the final results are likely to change since levels of pollutants vary by season. Also, staff hopes to include the risk from diesel emissions in the final report, expected in September.

PERMIT STREAMLINING TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATIONS APPROVED

Businesses will be able to obtain permits faster under the recommendations of a permit streamlining task force approved by the Board today, concluding the first comprehensive review of the permitting process that was established more than 50 years ago. The task force – formed in April 1998 – was chaired by Board Vice Chair Norma Glover and included Member Ron Loveridge, former Member James Silva, and representatives of industry, local government, business associations, environmental groups and consultants. The group met 13 times and worked with a management consulting firm and AQMD staff to study AQMD’s permit process with an eye toward streamlining opportunities. After almost a year of careful examination, the task force developed the 37 individual recommendations approved by the full Board. The recommendations fall into four action areas:

• Reduce the steps required to issue permits;
• Improve communication internally and externally;
• Optimize the permit structure and systems; and
• Enhance management and organizational effectiveness.

Many of the specific recommendations – such as updating and publishing AQMD permitting policies -- can be carried out in a few months, but some will take six months or more. For further information see the Board Item, e-mail Mohsen Nazemi or call him at (909) 396-2662.

DIESEL REPLACEMENT FUND PROGRAM APPROVED BY BOARD

The Board approved participation in a voluntary statewide program to replace hundreds of highly polluting diesel trucks, buses and other equipment with cleaner-burning alternative fuel models. AQMD expects to receive $11.3 million from the Carl Moyer Memorial Air Quality Standards Attainment Program to support conversion of diesel to cleaner alternatives.

The funds will pay for the additional cost of an alternative fuel or engine. For example, a company might buy a new diesel truck for $100,000 or a compressed natural gas-fueled truck for $150,000. The Moyer fund would pay the $50,000 cost difference for qualifying projects.

The state Legislature last year approved $25 million as part of the Governor’s budget for the statewide Carl Moyer program, an amount expected to cover the conversion of several hundred vehicles to clean fuels. The California Air Resources Board will distribute the money to local air districts. Since the South Coast AQMD has the largest population, greatest number of diesel vehicles and worst air pollution in the state, the South Coast AQMD is seeking the largest share of the funds.

Applications for funding are due on July 1, 1999, and will be approved on a case-by-case basis by the Governing Board starting in August. Eligible equipment includes trucks, buses, marine vessels, locomotives, agricultural irrigation pumps and offroad equipment, such as tractors, backhoes, excavators and forklifts. For further information, see the Board item, e-mail Cindy Sullivan or call her at (909) 396-3249.

TIGHTER RULES PROPOSED FOR PAINTS, PETROLEUM COKE, RECLAIM

Over the next two months, the Board will consider staff proposals to tighten AQMD rules on architectural coatings used to paint buildings and other structures and on facilities that store petroleum coke, coal or sulfur.

The Board will hold a public hearing at its April 9 meeting, which begins at 9:30 a.m., to consider amending Rule 1158 to require the operators of seven facilities in the port area to cover their coke storage piles. AQMD’s proposed amendments also would tighten standards on the transport, handling and storage of coke, coal and sulfur to reduce dust. For further information e-mail Alene Taber or call her at (909) 396-3057.

At its May 14 meeting, the Board will consider amendments to Rule 1113 that would require reformulation of many of the paints used on homes, buildings and other structures in order to reduce smog-forming fumes when they dry. When fully in force in 2006, the amendments will cut emissions of volatile organic compounds – a key component of the region’s air pollution – by about 21 tons a day. For further information e-mail Naveen Berry or call him at (909) 396-2363.

In a hearing April 9, the Board also will consider amending the RECLAIM program to clarify requirements and improve the enforceability of emission reduction standards. RECLAIM sets a declining emission cap on more than 300 major industrial facilities, but grants credits to firms that stay under their caps that they can sell to facility operators that need to cover emissions in excess of their caps. Overall emissions from the facilities decline. For further information e-mail Brian Yeh or call him at (909) 396-2584.

RULES ADOPTED ON NICKEL, PHARMACEUTICALS

Nickel plating facilities are now covered by AQMD’s Rule 1401 – New Source Review of Toxic Air Contaminants, which sets health risk limits for new, modified or relocated facilities that emit toxic air pollution. The Board voted to add nickel to the rule today. For further information e-mail Jill Whynot or call her at (909) 396-3104.

The Board also adopted amendments to a rule covering makers of pharmaceutical and cosmetic products. The amendments to Rule 1103 – Pharmaceuticals and Cosmetics Manufacturing Operations, clarified rule language based on comments from the California Air Resources Board and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. For further information, e-mail Dave Schwien or call him at (909) 396-2577.

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE POLICY COVERS PORTABLE EQUIPMENT

Permit and compliance policies called for by the Board’s Environmental Justice Initiatives will require firms with a variety of portable devices – such as engines, sand blasters, vapor extraction systems and asphalt equipment – to notify AQMD when the devices are moved. This will allow AQMD to make sure that the placement of the equipment will not cause any localized air pollution problems. One of the Board’s environmental justice initiatives called for the new policies because of concern that portable equipment used in construction and other operations sometimes causes "localized adverse air quality impacts, especially as relates to sensitive receptors such as schools." Under the new policies, when permits are processed and field inspections are conducted, AQMD staff will examine the potential for such adverse effects and require portable equipment operators to practice mitigation measures as needed. For further information see the Board item, e-mail Larry Bowen or call him at (909) 396-2575.

The Board approved all other items on the agenda, except item 13, which was delayed for 30 days, and item 46, which was withdrawn.

In Other News:

TOWN HALL MEETING SET ON AIR IMPACTS OF LAX EXPANSION

As part of a continuing series under its Environmental Justice Initiatives, AQMD has set a Town Hall Meeting on the proposed expansion of the Los Angeles International Airport at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 24 at the Westchester Senior Citizen Center, 8740 Lincoln Blvd, Los Angeles. The meeting will give residents of Westchester and the surrounding communities the opportunity to meet with top AQMD staff members and voice their thoughts about the potential air quality effects of the proposed airport expansion. Also, a meeting was set on Saturday, March 27 on the LAXT petroleum coke facility and AQMD’s MATES II study. The meeting will begin at 1 p.m. at Peck Park Auditorium, 560 N. Western Ave., San Pedro.

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