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k` in the San Joaquin Valley air basin is regularly exposed to ozone levels that exceed the state 1-hour ozone standard. (Id., Table 7-13, p. 7-102.) L. In short, given the regional nature of the ozone problem, the failure of the San Joaquin Valley air basin to meet ozone standards, and the public health threat cont presented by ozone pollution,mark ozone as precisely the type of pollutant that must be analyzed for both its project-specific and cumulative impacts. Any increase in ozone precursors that will contribute to an existing exceedance of ozone " standards should be considered to be significant under CEQA. Thus, the Draft EIR must be revised to fully analyze, disclose to the public, and mitigate increases in ozone-precursor emissions. VI.B PM 10 and PM2.5 Impacts Are Significant Construction and operation of the Project would increase particulate matter emissions. The particulate matter emissions of interest are the smaller fractions, those with an aerodynamic diameter of less than 2.5 microns ("PM2.5") and less than 10 microns ("PM10") ss These small particles easily penetrate into the airways and lungs where they may produce harmful health effects. Thus, the U.S. EPA and CARB have both promulgated ambient air quality standards for PM10 and PM2.5 to protect public health. The Draft EIR did not evaluate the air quality impacts of the ` Project on ambient concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5. B-55 The inhalation of particulate matter, particularly the smallest particles, causes 4w a variety of health effects, including premature mortality, aggravation of respiratory (e.g., cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, bronchitis, asthma attacks) and cardiovascular disease, declines in lung function, changes to lung tissues and 1_ structure, altered respiratory defense mechanisms, and cancer, among others. Concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 above current standards may result in harmful health effects ss The air in the San Joaquin Valley air basin and counties where the Project is located currently violate both the state and federal 24-hour and annual ambient air quality standards for both PM10 and PM2.5.60 The San Joaquin Valley air basin is classified as "serious nonattainment" for the federal PM10 standard. (SJVAPCD L 1/10/02: Technical Document, p. 21.) L 5810 microns equals about 0.0004 inches or about four one-hundred thousands of an inch(4/100,000). L59 http://www.arb.ca.gov/research/aaqs/pm/pm.htm 60 http://www.arb.ca.gov/desig/adni.hbn,last accessed June 12,2006. L 43 L