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4 Environmental Analysis 4.3 Air Quality between increased levels of ambient particulate matter and increased adverse respiratory health. Particulate matter can be categorized based on their size: oo Inhalable coarse particles (PM,o) are between 2.5 and 10 micrometers in diameter. Sources include roads, farming activities, windblown dust, and combustion sources. oo Fine particles (PM2.5) are 2.5 micrometers in diameter or smaller, and generally emitted by combustion sources like vehicles, power generation, industrial processes, and wood burning. Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a non-reactive pollutant that is a product of incomplete combustion and is mostly associated with motor vehicle traffic. 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 to the brain, heart, and other body tissues. This condition is especially critical for people with cardiovascular diseases, chronic lung disease or anemia, as well as fetuses. Even healthy people exposed to high CO concentrations can experience headaches, dizziness, fatigue, unconsciousness, and even death. The main source of CO in the SJVAB is on-road motor vehicles. Therefore, CO problems tend to be localized with nonattainment areas designated in urban areas rather than the entire basin. With the introduction of new automotive emission controls and fleet turnover, emissions from motor vehicles have been declining. Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) is a combustion product of sulfur or sulfur-containing fuels such as coal. SO2 is also a precursor to the formation of atmospheric sulfate and particulate matter (both PM,o and PM2.5) and contributes to potential atmospheric sulfuric acid formation that could precipitate downwind as acid rain. The use of low-sulfur fuel has minimized problems with this pollutant. Lead (Pb) has a range of adverse neurotoxic health effects and was previously released into the atmosphere primarily via the combustion of leaded gasoline. The use of leaded gasoline ceased in the U.S. after 1995, resulting in decreasing levels of atmospheric lead. 4.3.1.3 Sensitive Receptors Sensitive receptors are segments of the population most susceptible to poor air quality (i.e., children, the elderly, and those with preexisting serious health problems related to respiratory distress). Land uses often identified as sensitive receptors include schools, parks, playgrounds, daycare centers, nursing homes, hospitals, and residential communities. Land use in the area is agricultural interspersed with sparse rural residential development, the Musco Family Olive Company, and several warehouses/distribution centers. The closest residences are located between 300 and 650 feet west of the Project boundary. However, these residences are owned by landowners who are participating in the Project and, therefore, are not considered in the analysis of impacts. The closest residences on land not owned by the current property owner are approximately 0.2 mile (approximately 1,000 feet) north of the Project site on the other side of West Patterson Pass and 0.2 mile (approximately 1,000 feet) southwest of the Project site at the southern terminus of Midway Road. As previously noted, the community of Griffith Energy Storage Project 4.3-3 Tetra Tech/SCH 2022120675 Draft Environmental Impact Report August 2023