CARB Environmental Justice Blog

 

In a study funded by the California Air Resources Board Community Grants Program, researchers conducted local air quality monitoring that detects coal-specific particulate matter air pollution at a current coal terminal in Richmond and the associated rail lines and holding yard. When comparing particulate emissions from trains in Richmond they documented significantly more PM2.5 pollution from trains containing coal than from empty coal trains, passenger trains, and other freight trains, as NCIO reported late last month . The three scientists who conducted this study  will hold an online (Zoom) meeting with community members to explain their findings and answer our questions. Save the date Wednesday, April 26, from 5:30 to 7PM to meet with Dr. Bart Ostro, Dr. Heather Kuiper, and Dr. Nicholas Spada. After their report and dialogue with us, Oakland and Richmond residents will meet in separate breakout rooms to discuss next steps for our campaigns, including how we can use this new i...

  Public Workshop on Updating the Indoor Air Quality Guidelines for Nitrogen Dioxide  Public Workshop on May 16, 2023 The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is seeking public comment on indoor air guidelines for NO 2 .  We plan to host an approximately 4-hour Zoom workshop on May 16, 2023 to discuss indoor air quality, health issues, and the development of indoor guidelines for NO 2 , which is a respiratory irritant and pollutant of ongoing concern for indoor air quality.  NO 2 is emitted from combustion appliances such as stoves, ranges, water heaters and clothes dryers. CARB last published indoor air quality guidelines in 2005 and since the publication of CARB’s 2005 report, a significant number of studies have added to the evidence linking combustion pollutants indoors to respiratory illness, cardiovascular problems, and especially children’s asthma.  Other national and international agencies have acted since 2005 to adopt guidelines based on this update...

 

Transportation & Toxics EJ Updates 2023 Update #4 CARB’s Transportation and Toxics Division appreciates your interest and participation in Listening Sessions and Capacity Building Sessions. We’ve discussed several topics during the sessions and are providing updates on current programs.   If you are interested in discussing the below items with CARB staff, contact Amanda Anderson at (279) 208-7163. Air Toxics Program Activities Chrome Plating Amendments The Hexavalent Chromium Airborne Toxic Control Measure for Chrome Plating and Chromic Acid Anodizing Operations (Proposed Amendments) were presented to the CARB Board on January 27, 2023, in person at CARB’s Southern California Headquarters in Riverside, California. This was the first of two public hearings on the Proposed Amendments. The Proposed Amendments affect chrome plating facilities in the State and would eventually phase out the use of hexavalent chromium in chrome plating and chromic acid anodizing operations. Ch...