2019-090 - Adopting the Mitigated Negative Declaration

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*:/ : 11-1 h WA (SCAQMD 2005; USEPA 2018a). The SoCAB is a nonattamment area for PM25 under California and National AAQS and a nonattamment area for PMio under the California AAQS (CA" 2017a).4 Ozone (03) is commonly referred to as "smog" and is a gas that is formed when VOCs and NO., both by- products of internal combustion engine exhaust, undergo photochemical reactions in the presence of sunlight. 03 is a secondary criteria air pollutant. 03 concentrations are generally highest during the summer months when direct sunlight, light winds, and warm temperatures create favorable conditions for the formation of this pollutant. 03 poses a health threat to those who already suffer from respiratory diseases as well as to healthy people. Breathing 03 can trigger a variety of health problems, including chest pain, coughing, throat irritation, and congestion. It can worsen bronchitis, emphysema, and asthma. Groundlevel 03 also can reduce lung function and inflame the linings of the lungs. Repeated exposure may permanently scar lung tissue. 03 also affects sensitive vegetation and ecosystems, including forests, parks, wildlife refuges, and wilderness areas. In particular, 03 harms sensitive vegetation during the growing season (SCAQMD 2005; USEPA 2018a). The SoCAB is designated as extreme nonattainment under the California AAQS (1-hour and 8-hour) and National AAQS (8-hour) (CARB 2017a). Lead (Pb) is a metal found naturally in the environment as well as in manufactured products. Once taken into the body, lead distributes throughout the body in the blood and accumulates in the bones. Depending on the level of exposure, lead can adversely affect the nervous system, kidney function, immune system, reproductive and developmental systems, and the cardiovascular system. Lead exposure also affects the oxygen -carrying capacity of the blood. The effects of lead most commonly encountered in current populations are neurological effects in children and cardiovascular effects in adults (e.g., high blood pressure and heart disease). Infants and young children are especially sensitive to even low levels of lead, which may contribute to behavioral problems, learning deficits, and lowered IQ (SCAQMD 2005; USEPA 2018a). The major sources of lead emissions have historically been mobile and industrial sources. As a result of the EPAs regulatory efforts to remove lead from gasoline, emissions of lead from the transportation sector dramatically declined by 95 percent between 1980 and 1999, and levels of lead in the air decreased by 94 percent between 1980 and 1999. Today, the highest levels of lead in air are usually found near lead smelters. The major sources of lead emissions today are ore mid metals processing and piston-engune aircraft operating on leaded aviation gasoline. However, in 2008 the EPA and CARB adopted stricter lead standards, and special monitoring sites immediately downwind of lead sources recorded very localized violations of the new state and federal standards.5 As a result of these violations, the Los Angeles County portion of the SoCAB is designated nonattamment under the National AAQS for lead (SCAQMD 2012; CARB 2017a). Because emissions of lead are found only in projects that are permitted by SCAQMD, lead is not a pollutant of concern for the project. 3 Particulate matter can stain and damage stone and other materials, including culturally important objects such as statues and monuments. 4 CARB approved the SCAQMD's request to redesignate the SoCAB from serious nonattainment for PMro to attainment for PMro under the National AAQS on March 25, 2010, because the SoCAB has not violated federal 24-hour PMro standards during the period from 2004 to 2007. In June 2013, the EPA approved the State of California's request to redesignate the PMm nonattainment area to attainment of the PMro National AAQS, effective on July 26, 2013. s Source -oriented monitors record concentrations of lead at leadrelatedindustrial facilities in the SoCAB, which include Exide Technologies in the City of Commerce; Quemetco, Inc., in the City of Industry; Trojan Battery Company in Santa Fe Springs; and Exide Technologies in Vernon. Monitoring conducted between 2004 through 2007 showed that the Trojan Battery Company and Exide Technologies exceed the federal standards (SCAQMD 2012). 75C-144