Officials discuss future of air monitoring
HEBER — What began as a local effort to close the gaps in the air quality regulatory data has grown into a full movement across the state and has resulted in legislation to bring local agencies and communities together to better assess the state of the air they breathe.
Assembly Bill 617, which was signed into law in the summer, gives the state Air Resources Board until Oct. 1, 2018 to prepare a statewide strategy to reduce emissions of toxic air contaminants and pollutants in communities affected by a high cumulative exposure burden, provide technical grants to community-based organizations to develop emission control programs and mandate local air districts to implement plans to reduce emissions within their own communities.
As part of this year’s Environmental Health Leadership Summit, a wide array of state officials were present to discuss different aspects of the bill and how the state is moving forward.
“I think the main takeaway is that through hard work and perseverance we’ve been able to get attention from the state,” said Luis Olmedo, executive director of Comite Civico del Valle, which organized the event. “It brings us promise that we will be able to solve some of the most critical issues locally like the Salton Sea and air quality.”
During the last panel of the day, state officials spoke to the public on where they stand in the process of implementing AB 617. Catherine Dunwoody, assistant division chief of monitoring and lab division of the Air Resources Board, said despite the fact the legislation has minimum requirements established, the ARB is thinking of going beyond the requirements.
She noted the board already has some ideas in mind on how to do that, including having a resource center to establish best practices, doing air sensor evaluations, increase community support and how to establish a successful statewide portal with data from across California.
“We see this as an evolving body of work,” she said.
Veronica Eady, the assistant executive officer for environmental justice at the ARB, said building on the model that Comite Civico del Valle has on the Imperial Valley is important because in many instances communities live near emission sources but miles away from the closest regulatory air monitors, which makes it impossible to know when they need to take extra precaution outdoors.
According to Astrid Cardenas, a science advisor for Comite Civico, today 13 out of the 58 California counties do not have any air monitors in their communities.
“It’s important for a number of reasons. It can drive policy and overall improve public health,” Eady said. “We still do have a problem; communities of color carry a disproportionate load of the burden.”
Paul English from the California Department of Public Health went over some of the basic attributes of the air monitoring networks that have been successful such as the CCV’s IVAN network. He said two of the main factors that allow them to succeed are the early engagement with their respective community and a continuous funding.
When speaking about the health impact that particulate matter has on human health, English said that although there are regulatory levels in place, there is no such thing as a safe level of exposure to PM as long exposure to levels below the regulatory levels has an adverse impact on human health. He also echoed the need to work with the most disadvantaged communities.
“There is no reason for your life to be shorter based on your zip code,” English said.
After the event, Olmedo said he was very pleased with the blend of knowledge and interest brought by the panelist and community members in attendance and noted he was enthusiastic about how the innovation of the local community has put them in the map of state officials who are now finally paying attention to the pressing issues taking place in the Valley, but even more importantly to the solutions and ideas that are being brought to the table.
“I see this as a clear indication that we’re not a forgotten community anymore,” Olmedo said. “Now, although we have their attention, we have to put the pedal to the metal. Just because we have their attention doesn’t mean the job is done. This is where it really begins and ensures we get results moving forward.”