SITE INFORMATION AND CORRESPONDENCE

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5.9 Public Health This section presents the methodology and results of a human health risk assessment performed to assess potential impacts and public exposure associated with airborne emissions from the construction and operation of the Lodi Energy Center (LEC). Section 5.9.1 introduces the subject of public health impact analysis for a power plant proposed in a California Energy Commission(CEC) Application for Certification(AFC). Section 5.9.2 describes the laws,ordinances,regulations and standards (LORS) relevant to potential public health impacts of such a project. Section 5.9.3 describes the potentially affected public health environment around the proposed project site. Section 5.9.4 discusses the environmental impacts from construction and operation of the power plant and associated facilities. This public health section also describes project design features that keep potential impacts below public health-related thresholds of significance (e.g.,the sole use of clean-burning natural gas in the gas turbines). Clean natural gas fuel, along with other design and operating aspects,will assure that the public health impacts of the LEC will be below the level of significance. Section 5.9.5 discusses potential cumulative public health impacts of the combined toxic air contaminant) (TAC) emissions from the proposed project,existing NCPA Lodi units that will continue to operate,and other projects,if any,in the process of obtaining Authority to Construct permits or reasonably known by the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (SJVAPCD) to be entering the permitting process. Section 5.9.6 discusses mitigation measures as may be needed to reduce potentially significant impacts below a level of significance. Section 5.9.7 discusses the agencies involved in public health aspects of permitting and CEQA analysis for the proposed project, along with agency contact information. Section 5.9.8 describes public health-related permits for the LEC, and the schedule for obtaining those permits. Finally,Section 5.9.9 contains references cited or consulted in preparing this section. 5.9.1 Introduction Air will be the dominant pathway for potential public exposure to non-criteria pollutants released by the LEC. Emissions to the air will consist primarily of combustion by-products produced by the combined-cycle gas turbine units. Potential health risks from combustion emissions will occur almost entirely by direct inhalation. To be conservative,additional pathways for dermal absorption, soil ingestion,home-grown vegetable consumption2 and mother's milk ingestion were included in the health risk modeling. The health risk assessment was conducted in accordance with guidance established by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA)3, the California Air Resources Board (CARB)4,and the SJVAPCD.5 1 Also called non-criteria pollutants. 2 This non-standard pathway was included at the request of the SJVAPCD staff. 3 OEHHA.Air Toxics Hot Spots Program Risk Assessment Guidelines,The Air Toxics Hot Spots Program Guidance Manual for Preparation of Health Risk Assessments,April 2005. 4 CARB.Consolidated Table of OEHHA/CARB-Approved Risk Assessment Health Values, May 22,2008 http://www.arb.ca.gov/toxics/healthval/healthval.htm. 5 SJVAPCD.Guidance for Air Dispersion Modeling,January 2007. SAC/371322/082340007(LEC_5.9_PUBLIC_HEALTH.DOC) 5.9-1