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U.S. EPA PROPOSES ADJUSTMENT OF BAY AREA SMOG STATUS

Release Date: 8/21/1997
Contact Information: Randy Wittorp, U.S. EPA, (415)744-1589

     San Francisco -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today that after a thorough review of air quality data, the San Francisco Bay Area no longer meets the national health standard for ozone, a respiratory irritant in smog which impairs breathing, especially for children and the elderly.  The decision, based on two consecutive years of high smog levels, requires the Bay Area Air Quality Management District to formulate more ways to better protect the health of Bay Area residents.

     "Today’s action is essential to achieving the goal shared by the Bay Area, the State, and EPA of protecting public health," said Felicia Marcus, U.S. EPA regional administrator.  "The air district, with the help of local industry and environmental groups, will need to produce some additional creative, cost-effective solutions to bring consistently healthy air to Bay Area residents.  Given the history of achievement here, we are confident it can be done."

     Exposure to ozone can reduce lung function and increase susceptibility to respiratory infection.  It can also aggravate pre-existing respiratory diseases.  Children are especially sensitive to ozone exposure because their lungs are still developing and they spend more time outside during the summer months when ozone levels are the highest.  Symptoms of ozone exposure include chest pain, coughing, nausea, and pulmonary congestion.

     In June 1995, after five years of low smog levels, the Bay Area met the national health standard for ozone.  But during the following two years the region entered a hot, stagnant weather pattern, and by the end of 1996 the Bay Area had recorded 17 health violations.  While the air has been clean so far in 1997, the Bay Area’s air pollution control program needs to take into account fluctuations in weather conditions like those in 1995 and 1996.  To be awarded a clean air designation, a region needs air pollution controls that protect the public when weather patterns occur that are likely to build up smog.

     Given the number of ozone violations, U.S. EPA plans to officially redesignate the Bay Area to moderate nonattainment, requiring the Bay Area Air Quality Management District to develop strategies that accelerate air pollution reductions.  The air district has the flexibility to look at local pollution sources and, with community input, decide where those reductions should be made.  This redesignation will result in no change to the current permit requirements for Bay Area industry.

     On July 18, 1997, U.S. EPA adopted a new, more protective health standard for ozone.   In 2000, the Agency will determine which regions meet the new standard, based on the most recent air monitoring data available at that time. Until then, the current ozone standard will remain in place to ensure continued progress in improving air quality and protecting public health.  The steps taken now to maintain compliance with the current ozone standard will assist regions in implementing the new, more protective standard.

     U.S. EPA recognizes the efforts of the state of California, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, the business community, and environmental groups to improve air quality.  Despite rapid growth in the Bay Area, air pollution levels dropped significantly during the 1970s and 1980s through sensible regulation.  And programs such as Spare the Air and the Bay Area Clean Air Partnership have been innovative, educating the public and reducing pollution through voluntary actions.  Such programs position the Bay Area well to regain its clean air status.  

     To begin the redesignation process, a letter was delivered to California Governor Pete Wilson today along with data used to make the determination.  In the next few weeks, U.S. EPA will publish a notice proposing the redesignation in the Federal Register.  Public comments on the proposal will be accepted for a 60-day period after publication.  Following review of the comments, a final action will be published in the Federal Register.