2009-034 (2) - Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Report for Fairhaven/Lincoln

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5. Environmental Analysis AIR QUALITY Particulate Matter PM consists of finely divided solids or Iiquids such as soot, dust, aerosols, furriest and mists. Two forms of fine particulates are now recognized. lnhalable course particles, or PM,,, include the particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of 10 miicrons i.e., 10 one - millionths of a meter or 0.0994 inch) or less. Inhalable fine particles} or P _ „, have an aerodynamic diameter of 2.5 microns i.e., 2.5 one - millionths of a meter or 9.0901 inch) or less. Particulate discharge into the atmosphere results primarily from industrial, agricultural, construction, and transportation activities. However, wind action on aria landscapes also contributes substantially to local particulate loading. Both PM,,, and PM2.1 may adversely affect the human respiratory system, especially in those people who are naturally sensitive or susceptible to breathing problems B A MD 2005). Fugitive dust primarily poses two public health and safety concerns. The first concern is that of respiratory problems attributable to the particulates suspended in the air. Diesel particulates are classified by the California Air Resources Board CARE as a carcinogen. The second concern is that of motor vehicle accidents caused by reduced visibility during severe wind conditions. Fugitive dust may also cause significant property damage during strong windstorms by acting as an abrasive material agent (much like sandblasting activities). Finally, fugitive dust can result in a nuisance factor due to the soiling of proximate structures and vehicles B A I ID 2095). Ozone o , or smog, is one of a number of substances called photochernioal oxidants that are formed when V C and N (both by- products of the internal combustion engine) react with sunlight. 03 is present in relatively high concentrations in the B C B, and the damaging effects of photochemical smog are generally related to the concentrations of . 0, poses a health threat to those who already suffer from respiratory diseases as well as to healthy people, Ad d iti on al ly, 0,, has been tied to crop damage, typically in the form of stunted growth and premature death. o3 can also act as a corrosive, resulting in property damage such as the degradation of rubber products BMD 2095). Toxic Air Contaminants The public's exposure to toxic air contaminants TACs is a significant environmental health issue in California. In 1 953, the California legislature enacted a program to identify the health effects of TACs and to reduce a cposure to these contaminants to protect the public health. The Health and Safety Code defines a TAC as "an air pollutant which may cause or contribute to an increase in mortality or in serious illness, or which may pose a present or potential hazard to human health.” A substance that is listed as a hazardous air pollutant (HAP) pursuant to subsection b of Section 112 of the federal Clean Air Act 42 Unit d Bates code Section 12[b] is a toxic air contaminant. under state law, the California EPA, acting through CARE, is authorized to identify a substance as a TAC if it determines the substance is an air pollutant that may cause or contribute to an increase in mortality or to an increase in serious illness, or may pose a present or potential Lazard to human health. California regulates TACs primarily through Assembly Bill AB 1 807 (Tanner Air Toxic Act) and AB 2588 (Air Tonics "Hof Spot" Information and Assessment Act of 1987). The Tanner Air Tonics Act sets forth a formal procedure for GARB to designate substances as TACs. once a TAC is identified, CAR adopts an "airborne tonics control measure" for sources that emit designated TACs. If there is a safe threshold for a substance (a point below which there is no tonic effect), the control measure must reduce exposure to below that threshold. If there is no safe threshold, the measure must incorporate tonics best available control technology to min 1mize emissions, CAR has, to date, established formal control measures for 11 TACs, all of which are identified as having no safe threshold. Air tonics from stationary sources are also regulated in California under the Air Tonics 61 Hot Spot" Information and Assessment Act of 1957. under AB 2588, toxic air contaminant emissions from individual facilities are Page 5.1-4 + The Planning Center Resolution No. 2009 -034 Page 54 of 130 March 2009