180 likes | 342 Views
Complying with Regulations from California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA ). For 2014 Golden Empire AWMA Conference September 16, 2014 Leland Villalvazo, Supervising AQS San Joaquin Valley APCD. Background. 2008 OEHHA started work on revisions
E N D
Complying with Regulations from California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) For 2014 Golden Empire AWMA Conference September 16, 2014 Leland Villalvazo, Supervising AQS San Joaquin Valley APCD
Background • 2008 OEHHA started work on revisions • Included updates to the non-cancer health effects, cancer potency factors, and exposure assessment procedures • Approved by SRP • Largely aimed at providing additional protections for children
Background(cont’d) • “Air Toxics Hot Spots Program Guidance Manual for Preparation of Health Risk Assessments” forms the basis by which HRAs are performed in California: • AB2588 • CEQA • Permitting health risk assessments
District’s Risk Management Philosophy • Minimize health risk from new and modified sources of air pollution • Health risk impact from a new and modified source must not be significant • Avoid unreasonable restrictions on permitting • Public has a right to know about existing air toxics risk in their neighborhoods • High risk facilities must reduce risk
Proposed Key Changes • Years of Exposure (30 vs. 70 years) • Age Groups(Bins) • Age Sensitivity Factors (ASF) • Breathing Rates • Chronic Reference Exposure Levels (8-hour) • Fraction of Time at Home
Proposed Key Changes(cont’d) • Worker Exposure Duration (25 vs. 40 years) • Worker Modeled Concentration Adjustment • Dispersion Model Change (EPA’s AERMOD) • Spatial Averaging • Poly Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH), Creosotes & Lead
Ambient Air Cancer Risk, San Joaquin Valley (The California Almanac of Emissions and Air Quality, CARB, 2009)
SJV Risk Assessment Thresholds • Permitting of stationary sources • BACT for toxics (T-BACT) at above 1 in a million • Will not issue permits if facility’s cumulative increase in risk is above 10 in a million • California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA): • 10 in a million defined as significant • Air Toxics “Hot Spots” Act (AB2588): • Public notification of significant risk facilities at 10 in a million • Risk reduction required if over 100 in a million
Board Guidance on District’s Risk Management Policies • Incorporate OEHHA’s Risk Assessment Guideline updates designed to provide protection of infants and children • Permitting and CEQA • Adjust thresholds as necessary to prevent unreasonable restrictions • No relaxation of current health protections (no increase in actual air toxics exposure, compared to current policies)
Board Guidance on District’s Risk Management Policies (cont’d) • Air Toxics “Hot Spots” • Enhance public right-to-know and health protections by retaining current notification and risk-reduction thresholds • Incorporate all possible streamlining efforts in incorporating OEHHA updates • Develop effective outreach tools and processes to communicate changes to all interested parties