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5.1 AIR QUALITY Both state and national air quality standards consist of two parts: an allowable concentration of a pollutant, and an averaging time over which the concentration is to be measured. Allowable concentrations are based on the results of studies of the effects of the pollutants on human health, crops and vegetation, and, in some cases, damage to paint and other materials. The averaging times are based on whether the damage caused by the pollutant is more likely to occur during exposures to a high concentration for a short time (one hour,for instance), or to a relatively lower average concentration over a longer period (8 hours, 24 hours, or 1 month). For some pollutants there is more than one air quality standard, reflecting both short-term and long-term effects. Table 5.1-2 presents the NAAQS and California ambient air quality standards for selected pollutants. The California standards are generally set at concentrations much lower than the federal standards and in some cases have shorter averaging periods. TABLE 5.1-1 San Joaquin Valley Attainment Status Pollutant California a National b Ozone 1 hour Nonattainment/Severe No Federal Standard 8 hours Nonattainment Nonattainment/Seriouse Carbon Monoxide Attainment/Unclassified Attainment/Unclassified Nitrogen Dioxide Attainment Attainment/Unclassified Sulfur Dioxide Attainment Attainment/Unclassified Suspended Particulate Matter(10 Microns) Nonattainment Nonattainment/Serious° Suspended Particulate Matter(2.5 Microns) Nonattainmentd Nonattainment Sulfates Attainment No Federal Standard Lead Attainment No Designation/Classification Hydrogen Sulfide Unclassified No Federal Standard Vinyl Chloride Attainment No Federal Standard aCCR Title 17, Sections 60200-60210 '40 CFR Part 81 °Although EPA has determined that the San Joaquin Valley Air Basin has attained the federal PM10 standards (71 FR 63641; October 30, 2006), its determination does not constitute a redesignation to attainment per section 107(d)(3)of the federal Clean Air Act. EPA has proposed to redesignate the San Joaquin Valley Air Basin as attainment for PM10(73 FR 22307;April 25, 2008), but this proposal has not become final because the public comment period just ended on June 10, 2008(73 FR 30029). dThe Valley is designated nonattainment for the 1997 PM2.5 federal standards. EPA designations for the 2006 PM2.5 standards will be finalized in December 2009. SJVAPCD has determined, based on the 2004-06 PM2.5 data,that the Valley has attained the 1997 24-hour PM2.5 standard. eOn April 30, 2007,the Governing Board of SJVAPCD voted to request EPA to reclassify the San Joaquin Valley Air Basin as extreme nonattainment for the federal 8-hour ozone standard.The California Air Resources Board, on June 14, 2007, approved this request.This request has been forwarded to EPA by the California Air Resources Board and would become effective upon EPA final rulemaking after a notice and comment process; it is not yet in effect. 5.1-4 SAC/371322/082410013(LEC_5.1_AIR_QUALITY.DOC)