northernsierraairqualitymanagement.docVIP

NORTHERN SIERRA AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT DISTRICT Gretchen Bennitt, APCO 200 Litton Drive, Ste. 320/P.O. Box 2509 Grass Valley, CA 95945 (530) 274-9360/ FAX: (530) 274-7546  AB 2588 Air Toxics “Hot Spots” Annual Report March 10, 2003 PURPOSE To disseminate information regarding the status of AB 2588 Air Toxics “Hot Spots” Program in the Northern Sierra Air Quality Management District (District), which includes Nevada, Plumas, and Sierra Counties. BACKGROUND Assembly Bill 2588 (1987) was enacted in response to public concern about the release of toxic air contaminants into the atmosphere, in accordance with the California Health and Safety Code (HSC) Section 44300, et seq. The “Findings and Declarations” included in HSC Section 44301 states that 75% of the U.S. population resides in proximity to at least one source of air toxic emissions. Most air toxics are emitted due to the combustion of fuels and operations associated with manufacturing processes that use chemicals. Many air toxics are of interest because they are cancer causing. In addition, some of the air toxics can have non-cancer effects as related to the cardiovascular, central nervous, immune, gastrointestinal, respiratory, and reproductive systems. Studies cited in the “Findings” of HSC Section 44301 have shown that routine releases of significant levels of substances are occurring and are proven to be, or are potentially hazardous to public health. These releases can create localized concentrations of air toxics, or “hot spots”, where the risks of adverse health effects contribute to cumulative health risks from emissions from other sources in the area. These findings also conclude that sources of toxic air contaminants include facilities that are already regulated by air quality management districts, as well as relatively small, exempt sources, or sources that may contribute cumulatively to public health risks. Due to the lack of information in California about the