Laserfiche WebLink
diesel exhaust emissions. DPM consists of fine particles (fine particles have a diameter less than 2.5 <br />micrometer (pm)), including a subgroup of ultrafine particles (ultrafine particles have a diameter less <br />than 0.1 tam). Collectively, these particles have a large surface area which makes them an excellent <br />medium for absorbing organics. The visible emissions in diesel exhaust include carbon particles or <br />"soot." Diesel exhaust also contains a variety of harmful gases and cancer -causing substances. <br />Exposure to DPM may be a health hazard, particularly to children whose lungs are still developing and <br />the elderly who may have other serious health problems. DPM levels and resultant potential health <br />effects may be higher in close proximity to heavily traveled roadways with substantial truck traffic or near <br />industrial facilities. According to CARB, DPM exposure may lead to the following adverse health effects: <br />(1) aggravated asthma; (2) chronic bronchitis; (3) increased respiratory and cardiovascular <br />hospitalizations; (4) decreased lung function in children; (5) lung cancer; and (6) premature deaths for <br />people with heart or lung disease.',S <br />Project Site <br />The Project Site is located within the South Coast Air Basin (the Basin); named so because of its <br />geographical formation is that of a basin, with the surrounding mountains trapping the air and its <br />pollutants in the valleys or basins below. The 6,745-square-mile Basin includes all of Orange County <br />and the non -desert portions of Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties. It is bounded by <br />the Pacific Ocean to the west; the San Gabriel, San Bernardino and San Jacinto Mountains to the north <br />and east; and the San Diego County line to the south. Ambient pollution concentrations recorded in the <br />Orange County portion of the Basin are among the highest in the four counties comprising the Basin. <br />USEPA has classified Orange County as a nonattainment area for 03, PM2.5, and lead. This classification <br />denotes that the Basin does not meet the NAAQS for these pollutants. In addition, under the CCAA, <br />Orange County is designated as a nonattainment area for 03, PMto, and PM2.5. The air quality within the <br />Basin is primarily influenced by a wide range of emissions sources, such as dense population centers, <br />heavy vehicular traffic, industry, and meteorology. <br />Air pollutant emissions are generated in the local vicinity by stationary and area -wide sources, such as <br />commercial activity, space and water heating, landscaping maintenance, consumer products, and <br />mobile sources primarily consisting of automobile traffic. <br />Air Pollution Climatology. The topography and climate of Southern California combine to make the Basin <br />an area of high air pollution potential. During the summer months, a warm air mass frequently descends <br />over the cool, moist marine layer produced by the interaction between the ocean's surface and the lowest <br />layer of the atmosphere. The warm upper layer forms a cap over the cooler surface layer which inhibits <br />the pollutants from dispersing upward. Light winds during the summer further limit ventilation. <br />Additionally, abundant sunlight triggers photochemical reactions which produce 03 and the majority of <br />particulate matter. <br />Air Monitoring Data. The SCAQMD monitors air quality conditions at 38 source receptor areas (SRA) <br />throughout the Basin. The Project Site is located in SCAQMD's Central Orange County receptor area. <br />7 California Air Resources Board, Overview: Diesel Exhaust and Health, www.arb.ca.gov/research/diesel/diesel- <br />health.htm, last reviewed by CARB April 12, 2016. <br />8 California Air Resources Board, Fact Sheet: Diesel Particulate Matter Health Risk Assessment Study for the <br />West Oakland Community: Preliminary Summary of Results, March 2008. <br />Cabrillo Town Center Project PAGE 12 City of Santa Ana <br />Air Quality lv I.0I U C18 — 658 10/3/2023 July 2o2s <br />