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4. ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS 4.6 Ant QUALITY — public health and welfare. NAAQS have been established for ozone,CO,nitrogen dioxide(NO,), _ sulfur dioxide(SO,), PM 10,particulate matter less than 2.5 microns(PM2.5),and lead(Pb). These pollutants are called`criteria"air pollutants because standards have been established for each of them to meet specific public health and welfare criteria. — The NAAQS are defined as the maximum acceptable concentration that may be reached,but not exceeded more than once per year. California has adopted more stringent ambient air quality — standards for most of the criteria air pollutants(CAAQS or state standards). The pollutants of greatest concern in the Project Area are CO,ozone, and PM10. State and federal ambient air quality standards are summarized in Table 4.6-1,which also provides a brief discussion of the — related health effects and principal sources for each pollutant. OZONE Ozone is a respiratory irritant and an oxidant that increases susceptibility to respiratory infections and that can cause substantial damage to vegetation and other materials. Ozone is not emitted directly into the atmosphere,but is a secondary air pollutant produced in the atmosphere through a complex series of photochemical reactions involving reactive organic gases (ROG)and NOx. ROG and NOx are known as precursor compounds for ozone. Significant ozone production generally requires ozone precursors to be present in a stable atmosphere with strong sunlight for approximately three hours. Ozone is a regional air pollutant because it is not emitted directly by — sources, but is formed downwind of sources of ROG and NOx under the influence of wind and sunlight. Ozone concentrations tend to be higher in the late spring, summer,and fall, when the long sunny days combine with regional subsidence inversions to create conditions conducive to _ the formation and accumulation of secondary photochemical compounds,like ozone. CARBON MONOXIDE CO is a non-reactive pollutant that is a product of incomplete combustion and is mostly associated with motor vehicle traffic,and in wintertime, with wood-burning stoves and fireplaces. — High CO concentrations develop primarily during winter when periods of light winds combine with the formation of ground level temperature inversions(typically from the evening through early morning). These conditions result in reduced dispersion of vehicle emissions. Motor — vehicles also exhibit increased CO emission rates at low air temperatures. When inhaled at high concentrations, CO combines with hemoglobin in the blood and reduces the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. This results in reduced oxygen reaching the brain,heart,and other body tissues. This condition is especially critical for people with cardiovascular diseases,chronic lung disease or anemia. RMC Pacific Vemahs Quany Mining and Reclamation Project 4.6-4 FSA 1203015 Administrative D[eR FIR Mash 2004