| Jan. 31, 2008 Since
2002, the South Coast Air Quality Management District has reduced air
pollution from flares at oil refineries and other plants in the South Bay
area by nearly two-thirds thanks to one of the most aggressive flaring
regulations in the nation.
“AQMD’s regulation will require these facilities to use the most advanced
technology and best operating practices to even further reduce their
emissions,” said Barry Wallerstein, AQMD’s executive officer.
“In addition, we have instituted a community right-to-know program in
which anyone can receive notification of flare events by registering on our
website. We also pursue an aggressive enforcement program for excess
visible emissions and any nuisance odors from these facilities.”
AQMD’s Rule 1118 – Control of Emissions from Refinery Flares, first
adopted in 1998, initially required refineries and other facilities to
monitor and report to AQMD the amount of emissions from flaring. Reports
from the 29 flares currently operated by seven oil refineries, two hydrogen
plants and one sulfur recovery plant showed that much of the flaring was
caused by routine operation and not due to an emergency to relieve high
pressures that could lead to an explosion.
In 2005, AQMD amended its rule and limited flaring, starting on Jan. 1,
2007, to emergencies as well as essential operations including startups and
shutdowns of refinery units. Between 2002 and 2006, the latest year for
which figures are available, AQMD’s regulation reduced flaring emissions of
sulfur dioxide – the major pollutant of concern from flares -- from about 2
tons per day to 0.8 tons per day, or by 63 percent. By 2012, rule
requirements are expected to further reduce sulfur dioxide emissions to less
than 0.5 ton per day.
Sulfur dioxide emissions from flares contribute to the formation of fine
particulate pollution, which is linked to a number of health effects from
increased hospital admissions to premature deaths. In addition, low levels
of sulfur dioxide can exacerbate asthma symptoms.
Community Notification
As part of its flare rule, oil refineries and other facilities with
flares must report all planned flaring above a specified emissions
threshold. Since June 2007, AQMD has posted all notices of planned flaring
on its website and residents can receive them automatically by e-mail. AQMD
recently completed a community survey regarding residents’ knowledge of
flares and will use the information to improve its flare notification
system.
Flares are a common sight in the South Bay and are easily recognized by
their highly visible flames emitted from a tall stack. Residents can sign up
for flare notifications via e-mail and find a wealth of specific information
on flaring at
http://www.aqmd.gov/comply/1118/faqs.htm.
Del Amo Elementary School
Since 2007, AQMD has pursued enhanced surveillance and air monitoring
around Del Amo Elementary School in Carson in response to complaints of
nuisance odors from school staff. During a three-week period last fall,
AQMD sent inspectors to the school every morning in an attempt to detect
odors. Air samples were taken during that time by AQMD staff as well as
separately by Del Amo teachers when they detected odors in their
classrooms. Although investigations are still ongoing, inspections and air
samples to date have not confirmed any sources of nuisance odors or
unusually high levels of air pollutants at Del Amo school.
Due to community concerns about the proximity of Del Amo and other
schools to industrial facilities, AQMD is conducting a one-year pilot study
of classroom filtration systems at the school as well as at Dominguez
Elementary in Carson and Hudson Elementary in Long Beach. Installation of
the system at Del Amo is expected to take place this spring.
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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