March 8, 2005
At its March 4, 2005 Governing Board meeting, the Southland’s air agency
announced that the region has met the federal carbon monoxide standards and
will formally seek attainment redesignation from the United States
Environmental Protection Agency.
“This is a major achievement,” said Barry Wallerstein, executive officer
of the South Coast Air Quality Management District. “We are the last area
in the state to meet the standard. It is great news for air quality in this
region and the health of those residing in Southern California.”
Currently the Southland is designated as a serious nonattainment area for
carbon monoxide (CO). In 2002, the Southland reached attainment for CO for
the first time. Levels of CO emissions have continued to be low, allowing
the AQMD to demonstrate attainment of the federal 1- and 8-hour standards.
The recent action sets in motion the formal request to U.S. EPA to consider
redesignation for CO for the four-county area.
To meet the requirements for redesignation, the AQMD had to first show
that attainment of the CO standards had been maintained for at least two
years; monitoring of CO emissions would continue (AQMD monitors for CO at 22
sites in the Southland); and that future projected emissions would continue
to stay below the CO levels. A plan is also required to demonstrate how CO
levels will be maintained for at least ten years after redesignation.
The Southland has not had a violation of the federal 1-hour CO standard
for more than 25 years and the federal 8-hour CO standard was not violated
in 2001 or 2003 and was only violated one day at one monitoring site in
2002. Preliminary data also shows no violations of the CO standard in
2004. The federal Clean Air Act allows for attainment if there is only one
violation in a 2-year period.
Carbon monoxide is a by-product of combustion, primarily by motor
vehicles. It is a colorless, odorless gas that reduces the ability of the
body’s red blood cells to carry oxygen.
CO emission reductions leading to attainment of the federal standards are
primarily the result of cleaner vehicles and fuel.
The U.S. EPA will have 18 months upon receipt to process the AQMD’s
redesignation request.
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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