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New plan could mean more no-burn days
| Wednesday, Apr 30 2008 5:54 PM
Last Updated: Wednesday, Apr 30 2008 5:54 PM
San Joaquin Valley air regulators Wednesday approved a plan to clean up tiny specks of dust, soot and chemicals that create fine particulates, a form of air pollution considered most damaging to human health.
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Its cleanup measures largely target diesel trucks and industrial plants but could also increase the number of days when residential wood burning is prohibited.
Kern County could see up to 30 no-burn days during winter months compared to about 12 this season under the current rule.
The plan will bring the valley into compliance with a federal pollution standard by 2014. It was approved in an 8-3 vote by the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District Governing Board. Board members Raji Brar, an Arvin councilwoman, Fresno City Councilman Henry Perea and Fresno physician John Telles opposed the plan.
Clean air advocates who spoke during a public hearing before the vote criticized the air district for not including stricter measures in the cleanup plan. They raised the same concerns a year ago when the air district board voted on a controversial smog cleanup plan.
Many of those speaking against the plan were community organizers in Arvin and Lamont who said neighborhood committees consistently rank air pollution as their biggest concern. Arvin has experienced some of the highest levels of air pollution in the nation in recent years.
Air District Executive Director Seyed Sadredin said scientific studies by the air district showed the advocates’ suggestions for further reducing PM 2.5 wouldn’t work.
Sadredin said the current plan is one of the toughest in the nation.
“This plan has every control you can imagine,” he said.
PM 2.5 occurs in the valley in wintertime and is considered the most harmful air pollutant. In addition to triggering asthma attacks and lung ailments, the tiny particles can pass through the lungs and into the bloodstream, where they can clog arteries.
Doctors have documented trends that show an increase in deaths from lung diseases, heart attacks and strokes on days when fine particle pollution is high.
A 2006 Cal State Fullerton study estimated particle pollution costs valley residents $3.2 billion annually in doctor's visits, lost productivity and early death.
Heavy-duty diesel trucks are the largest source of PM 2.5. Other major contributors include burning of forests, orchard and agricultural fields and industrial machinery burning liquid fuel and natural gas.