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5.9 PUBLIC HEALTH The nearest residences to the LEC site are approximately 0.75 mile to the north. Additional residences to the northwest and southwest are between one and two miles from the plant site (see Figure 5.9-2). Beneficial aspects of the LEC regarding protection of public health include the following: • Use of clean-burning natural gas fuel. • Low-sulfur content of the natural gas,which reduces sulfate fine particulate and sulfur dioxide (SO2) generation. • Advanced combined-cycle and Rapid Response combustion gas turbine technology to minimize the amount of fuel and associated combustion emissions needed to produce electricity. • Selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology to control nitrogen oxides (NOX) emissions. • Oxidation catalyst technology to control carbon monoxide (CO) emissions,and to reduce emissions of various TACs. • Optimized stack height to reduce ground-level concentrations of exhaust pollutants below public health-related significance thresholds. Air quality and health risk data presented by CARB in the 2008 Almanac of Emissions and Air Quality for the San Joaquin Valley Air Basin show that over the period 1990 through 2005,the average concentrations for the top ten TACs have been substantially reduced, and the associated health risks for the San Joaquin Valley Air Basin are showing a steady downward trend as well. CARB-estimated emissions inventory values for the top ten TACs for 2006 and ambient levels and associated potential risks are presented in Table 5.9-2 for the air basin. A variety of studies have been published regarding cancer and respiratory illnesses and diseases in San Joaquin County and in the broader San Joaquin Valley area. Asthma diagnosis rates in the San Joaquin Valley are higher overall than average rates throughout the state. In San Joaquin County, the percentage of adults who have been diagnosed with asthma has increased from 12.1% in 2001 to 16.1% in 2005.8 Rates for children are slightly higher,at 16.4% in 2005.9 Cancer death rates in the county have remained relatively constant between 1999/2000 and 2003/2005, slightly above the statewide average of 180 per 100,000 population.10,11 The local public health department,San Joaquin County Public Health Services, directed the applicant to the department's epidemiology website for information regarding public health issues for residents in the vicinity of the proposed power plant site.12 8 Healthier San Joaquin County Community Assessment—2008. 9 Great Valley Center,"The State of the Great Central Valley of California—Assessing the Region Via Indicators—Public Health and Access to Care,"Second Edition,2007. 10 Great Valley Center,"The State of the Great Central Valley of California—Assessing the Region Via Indicators—Public Health and Access to Care,"January 2003. 11 Great Valley Center,2007,op cit. 12 http://www.sjcphs.org/Disease/Epidemiology.htm 5.9-4 SAC/371322/082340007(LEC_5.9_PUBLIC_HEALTH.DOC)