# U.S. EPA Approves South Coast, San Joaquin Valley Plans for Particle Pollution

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/10/u-s-epa-approves-south-coast-san-joaquin-valley-plans-for-particle-pollution/
- Published: 2011-10-28T13:28:13-04:00
- Author: greenlivingguy

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is approving California’s air quality plans
for fine particles — known as PM2.5 — in the South Coast and San Joaquin Valley.
These plans will reduce pollution to the level required by the health based 1997
PM2.5 standard by 2015.

“These air quality plans rely on first-of-their kind requirements for the engines
in trucks, ships and construction equipment, impacting almost a million vehicles
in California,” said Jared Blumenfeld, EPA’s Regional Administrator for the Pacific
Southwest. “Clean air is critical to everyone’s health, especially our children 
and seniors.”

Over the past 10 years, at the worst monitors, particulate matter has improved by
14% in the San Joaquin Valley and by 43% in the South Coast.  “Worst monitors” are
those that have the highest annual average PM2.5 concentration for a three year 
period in the air basin.

PM2.5 is made up of small particulate matter—1/30th the diameter of a human hair.
Fine particle pollution can be emitted directly or formed secondarily in the atmosphere
and can penetrate deep into the lungs and worsen conditions such as asthma and heart
disease. Reducing exposure helps reduce asthma, cardiovascular disease, emergency
room visits, cancer and premature death. According to a 2010 California Air Resources
Board study, PM2.5 exposure leads to 9,200 premature deaths annually in CA.

Mobile sources of diesel, such as trucks, construction equipment and marine vessels,
are the largest source of PM2.5 in California. Trucks and buses account for 40% 
of the total diesel emissions. The state has adopted aggressive rules to target 
diesel emissions including the In-Use Diesel Truck and Bus rules, the Drayage Truck
Rules and the Ocean Going Vessels Clean Fuels rule. The truck and bus rules are 
the first of their kind throughout the nation and will prevent an estimated 3,500
deaths.

EPA is disapproving the plans’ contingency measures because they do not provide 
sufficient emissions reductions.  EPA will continue to work with the state to resolve
these remaining issues.

The South Coast and San Joaquin Valley suffer from some of the worst pollution in
the nation, which is caused by myriad factors including adverse meteorology, ports
activities and substantial pollution from trucks that carry produce and international
imports to the rest of the nation.

The state is currently working on air quality plans to meet the more stringent 2006
PM2.5 standard. In addition, the state and local districts have launched grant and
incentive programs to demonstrate and deploy near zero emitting technologies.

Today’s actions will be published in the Federal Register and will become effective
60 days from the date of publication. EPA’s Federal Register notices include detailed
responses to all major comments on our proposed actions.  

For more information on the [South Coast and San Joaquin Air Quality Plans](https://www3.epa.gov/region9/air/actions/ca.html),
please visit EPA’s web site.