In 2008, after a five-month intensive investigation of toxic air pollution in the western areas of Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, SCAQMD identified cement production in the area as a source of elevated levels of the cancer-causing chemical hexavalent chromiuprem.  As a result, SCAQMD took aggressive action to reduce the hexavalent chromium emissions from the two cement plants in the area in order to lower the cancer risk levels in the communities around the facilities.  In March 2009, the SCAQMD Governing Board adopted Amended Rule 1156 requiring comprehensive emissions mitigation measures as well as requirements for fence line monitoring of hexavalent chromium at the two facilities.

For more information on SCAQMD’s investigation, findings and next steps, please see the links below.