Air Quality Analysis Findings
View the findings presented in the workshop PowerPoint here.
Key takeaways include:
- Ozone concentration levels continue to fall each year within the South Coast Air Basin but the basin remains “in non-Attainment” of the Federal Standards.” Ozone Concentrations in Fontana, which show a nearly 40% improvement in the 16 year period studied, remain below the basin-wide maximum.
- Air toxic cancer risk has decreased by 76% from 1998 to 2018 and is expected to decrease by an additional 20% by 2023
- Though the California Air Resource Board (CARB) 2005 Guidance is referenced by many agencies, it was deemed outdated as it relies on air quality data from 1995 - 2005, rather than the most recent 10-year time frame.
Staff identified and retained Ramboll Consulting Firm. Dr. Laksmi Jayaram, Senior Management Consultant, Joseph Hower, PE, DEE, Principal and Vice-President, Mechanical Engineering and Dr. Julia Lester, PhD Chemical Engineer, led the comprehensive analysis. Their combined 78 years of air quality experience brought the necessary in-depth examination of compliance, air dispersion modeling and health risk assessments.
Recommendations and Proposed Ordinance
As a part of the study, Ramboll made several recommendations to ensure air quality best practices. Recommendations will be considered by Council and Commission at a later date.
View staff recommendations and proposed ordinance items here