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May 7, 2004
The Southland’s air quality agency will fund a study by the University of
California, Irvine to examine the health effects of the wildfires that
occurred in the fall of 2003.
“The wildfires released an extraordinary amount of fine particulates and
other pollutants over the entire South Coast Air Basin,” said Barry
Wallerstein, executive officer of the South Coast Air Quality Management
District.
“We are using this opportunity to look at any adverse effects from smoke
and collect valuable information that the public can use to safeguard their
health during future wildfires,” he said.
The study will compare hospitalization and mortality rates from
cardiovascular and respiratory related illnesses during the fire with levels
of fine particulates and other pollutants monitored during that time.
AQMD’s Governing Board today also approved co-funding for a major health
study that will investigate the effects of ultrafine particulate matter on
elderly people living in Southern California.
Epidemiology studies have identified the elderly as vulnerable to adverse
health effects of particulate matter. This study, being sponsored by the
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, will investigate the
link between cardio-respiratory health and pollutant levels in those 65 and
older. AQMD’s co-funding will help collect additional samples to learn how
particulate matter exerts its biological effects.
In other action today, the Board:
- Set a tentative date for the AQMD’s upcoming hydrogen conference for
August 16-17, 2004;
- Set public hearings for June 4 to: Amend Regulation III – Fees, to
adjust permitting and operating fees; and Amend Rule 1186.1 –
Less-Polluting Sweepers and Rule 1196 – Clean On-Road Heavy-Duty Public
Fleet Vehicles, to extend the compliance dates in order to address vehicle
purchase options in areas where fueling stations for alternative fuel
vehicles are not readily available for fleets.
AQMD is the air pollution control agency for Orange County and major
portions of Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside counties.
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