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Air Pollution in CaliforniaPresentation for Tamalpais High School Environmental Science Classes

Mill Valley, CA13 January 2014

Amy Zimpfer, P.E.

Associate Director Air Division

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Region 9

Overview

• History of Air Pollution and Health Effects• Clean Air Act Overview• California Air Quality• Strategies and Actions to Reduce Air Pollution• San Francisco Bay Area PM2.5 Pollution• Questions?

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Los Angeles, CA 1943

On July 26, 1943, in the midst of World War II, Los Angeles was attacked -- not by a foreign enemy, but a domestic one -- smog. The Los Angeles Times reported that a “pall of smoke and fumes descended on downtown, cutting visibility to three blocks.”

First recorded photo of smog in Los Angeles, 1943(Photo courtesy of Los Angeles Times Collection, Department of Special Collections, UCLA Library).

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Donora, Pennsylvania 1948

In 1948, a lethal haze caused by air pollution from steel and zinc smelters, coupled with an inversion layer killed nearly 40 people in Donora, Pennsylvania.

London, England 1953

Source of london for info: http://www.london.gov.uk/mayor/environment/air_quality/docs/50_years_on.pdf

LONDON: Fog descended thicker than ever today for the second straight evening in London to threaten another killer smog if it does not clear soon. Four thousand Londoners died in less than a week of smog last year. Druggists reported a rush to get "smog masks" although only a few appeared on the streets. The weather bureau predicted the fog would not lift for another 48 hours.

International Herald-Tribune, Nov, 1953

Ozone (“Good Up High, Bad Nearby”)

“Nearby” ozone forms from the reaction between VOCs (or ROGs) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), and is dependent on the presence of heat and sunlight

http://www.epa.gov/airquality/ozonepollution/

Health Effects of Ozone

• Breathing ozone can trigger a variety of health problems including:– Chest pain– Coughing– Throat irritation– Congestion– Reduced Lung Function

• It can worsen bronchitis, emphysema, and asthma.

• Repeated exposure may permanently scar lung tissue.

Particulate Matter: PM2.5

• Solid or liquid particles suspended in the atmosphere

• PM10: fine particles with an aerodynamic diameter of 10 microns or less

• PM2.5: aerodynamic diameter of 2.5 microns or less (sometimes referred to as fine PM)

Health Impacts of PM2.5:

• premature death in people with heart or lung disease

• nonfatal heart attacks• irregular heartbeat• aggravated asthma• decreased lung function• increased respiratory

symptoms, such as irritation of the airways, coughing or difficulty breathing.

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Pollution Events and Science Catalyze U.S. Clean Air Act

U.S. Clean Air Act Structure• Title I – Attainment and Maintenance of National Ambient Air

Quality Standards• Title II – Mobile Sources• Title III – Hazardous Air Pollutants• Title IV – Acid Deposition• Title V – Operating Permits• Title VI – Stratospheric Ozone• Title VII – Enforcement

Major Revisions occurred in 1977 and 1990

•Scientists investigated, and states began passing clean air legislation.•Congress passed Clean Air Act in 1970.

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EPA Sets U.S. National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) to Protect

Public Health

Pollutant Averaging Time Level FormCarbon Monoxide

8-hour 9 ppmNot to be exceeded more than once per year1-hour 35 ppm

Lead Rolling 3 mo.avg. 0.15 μg/m3 Not to be exceeded

Nitrogen Dioxide

1-hour 100 ppb 98th percentile, averaged over 3 yearsAnnual 53 ppb Annual Mean

Ozone 8-hour 0.075 ppm Annual fourth-highest daily maximum 8-hr concentration, averaged over 3 years

Particle Pollution

PM2.5

Annual 12 μg/m3 Annual mean, averaged over 3 yearsAnnual [sec.] 15 μg/m3 Annual mean, averaged over 3 years24-hour 35 μg/m3 98th percentile, averaged over 3 years

PM10 24-hour 150 μg/m3 Not to be exceeded more than once per year on average over 3 years

Sulfur Dioxide1-hour 75 ppb 99th percentile of 1-hour daily maximum

concentrations, averaged over 3 years3-hour 0.5 ppm Not to be exceeded more than once per year

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EPA’s Steps to Clean Air

What’s the Air Quality? Monitor Ambient Air

What’s Causing the Pollution? Emissions Inventory + Air Quality Modeling (Meterology, Atmospheric Chemistry)

How to Clean Up the Pollution? Air Quality PlanRegulations/Rules Incentive to Convert to Clean TechnologyVoluntary Programs

Will Air be Clean by the Clean Air Act Deadline? Attainment Demonstration

How to Ensure Actions Happen? Enforcement and Reevaluation

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National Air Quality - 8-hour Ozone

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

National Air Quality - PM2.5

14Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Most Polluted U.S. Cities

• 24-Hour PM2.5

– 1. Bakersfield-Delano, CA– 2, Fresno-Madera, CA– 3. Hanford-Corcoran, CA– 4. Los Angeles – Long Beach –

Riverside, CA– 5. Modesto, CA

• Annual PM2.5

– 1. Bakersfield-Delano, CA– 2. Merced, CA– 3. Fresno-Madera, CA– 4. Hanford-Corcoran, CA– 5. Los Angeles – Long Beach – Riverside, CA

Ozone– 1. Los Angeles – Long Beach –

Riverside, CA– 2. Visalia – Porterville, CA– 3. Bakersfield – Delano, CA– 4. Fresno – Madera, CA– 5. Hanford – Corcoran, CA

Source: American Lung Association, http://www.stateoftheair.org/

PM2.5

Nationwide, the vast majority health impacts from PM2.5 and ozone occur in the South Coast and San Joaquin Valley, CA

Population-weighted incremental exposure to: PM2.5 above the NAAQS annual standard based on 2007-2009 data and ozone above the 8-Hour NAAQS (> 75 ppb), based on 2008-2010 design values

Los Ange-les/

South Coast43.4%

San Joaquin Valley 33.6% New York

3.8%

Arizona3.1%

Texas2.7%

Pennsylvania5.8%

Rest of Nation7.7%

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Los Angeles & San Joaquin Valley Exposure vs. Other Metro US

South Coast48.1%

San Joaquin Valley10.5%

Sacramento Valley5.6%

San Diego5.0%

Rest of CA3.2%

Houston/ Galveston4.4%

Dallas/Ft Worth4.1%

Philadelphia/ Wilmington3.9%

New York/ New Jersey3.8%

Atlanta1.3%

Phoenix1.0%

Rest of Nation9.2%

8-Hour Ozone (NOx)

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San Joaquin Valley, CA –Overview

• 64,000 km2

• 4 million residents• Significant sources:

– Agriculture– Oil production– Motor vehicles– Residential wood burning

• Significant secondary NH4NO3 (from NOx) and NH4 precursors

• Highest 24-hour PM2.5 concentrations in winter

Sources:Terry, Magliano, and Kaduwela, (CARB), September 2013; A&WMA Environmental Manager; http://www.sjvgeology.org/maps/index.html

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SJV NOx Emissions (2020 estimates)

HD DIE

SEL TRUCKS &

BUSES

FUEL CO

MBUSTIO

N

LIGHT &

MD T

RUCKS

NON-R

OAD E

QUIP

MENT

INDUSTRIA

L PRO

CESSES

TRAINS

FARM E

QUIP

MENT

MANAG

ED BURN &

DIS

POSAL

OTHER M

ISC P

ROCESSES

OTHER N

ON-R

OAD

OTHER O

N-RO

AD

AIRCRAFT

WASTE, C

LEANING

, PETRO

PRO

DUC...0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100TO

NS

PER

DA

Y

1980’s: Mechanical

Engine

1990’s: Electronic

Engine

2010: 98% Cleaner

Hybrid

Electric

Fuel Cells

RetardedTiming

EGR

DPFs

SCR

USEPA & CA Set Engine and Fuel Standards for New Vehicles

“Zero-Emission”

No emissions from tailpipe/exhaust

USEPA & CA Establish National Emission Standards for Industrial and Consumer

Sources

Utility Boilers

Refineries

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Power Plants

Consumer Products e.g. Hairspray,

Fingernail Polish

Other Combustion Sources

e.g. Woodstoves

Cement Plants

Other Industrial Operations

e.g. Cement Plants, Aerospace etc

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AB 118

Carl Moyer >$100M

Prop 1B $250M1

ARB ~$30M

CEC ~$100M

Trucks and buses

Off-road equipment

Ag pumps

Marine vessels

Locomotives

Trucks

Locomotives

Marine vessels

Shore power

SIP emission reductions

Smog/PM in goods movement corridors

Clean school buses

Children’s air toxic exposure

R & D

Support infrastructure

BAR ~$25M

Light-duty scrap and repair

Smog from gross polluters

School Bus $200M2

Advanced technology vehicles & equipment

Criteria pollutants and toxics

Climate change goals

1Contingent on bond sales 2One time funding

Low carbon fuels and vehicles

Truck Loans

Provide Incentive Funding to Convert to Clean Vehicles

PM2.5 Nonattainment in 2025

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SJV NOx Emissions (2020 estimates)

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

TON

S P

ER D

AY

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San Joaquin Valley—Additional Measures

RulesTighter Woodburning RestrictionsControl of Underfired CharbroilingConfined Animal Feeding Operations

Public EducationSpare The Air Days/Don’t Light Tonight

Technology AdvancementElectric Agricultural PumpsCleaner Diesel Trucks and TractorsRenewable EnergyCleaner Dairy Manure SystemsAlternative FuelsSource: San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control District

National Rules to Reduce Greenhouse Gases

Renewable Fuel Standard 2

Light Duty Vehicle Emission Standards

GHG Reporting Rule

Stationary Source GHG Rules

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S.F. Bay Area Winter PM 2.5 Trends

Source: Bay Area Air Quality Management District

San Francisco Bay Area PM2.5 Pollution 11/1/13 – 1/8/14

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S.F. Bay Area Winter PM 2.5 Sources

Source: Bay Area Air Quality Management District

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What would YOU do to reduce Wintertime PM2.5 in the Bay Area?

Source: Bay Area Air Quality Management District

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Questions?

epa.gov/oar

epa.gov/region9

zimpfer.amy@epa.gov

THANK YOU!