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ARB report based on U.S. EPA peer-reviewed study 

Release #:10-48
Date:08/31/2010

ARB PIO: (916) 322-2990
CONTACTS:

Dimitri Stanich
916-322-2825 c(916)716-8047
dstanich@arb.ca.gov

Stanley Young
916-322-1309 c(916)956-9409
syoung@arb.ca.gov

Fine particle air pollution responsible for 9,000 premature
deaths in California each year

ARB report based on U.S. EPA peer-reviewed study

SACRAMENTO - Approximately 9,000 people in California are
estimated to die prematurely each year as a result of exposure to
fine particle pollution, according to a report issued today by
the California Air Resources Board.

“There is no question particulate pollution is causing premature
deaths here in California and nationwide,” said ARB Chairman Mary
Nichols. “This study is further evidence that we are on the right
track, and ARB will continue to work with truckers and equipment
owners to clean up diesel emissions, improve our air quality and
protect public health. ARB is committed to reducing this
staggering statistic because one premature death is one too
many.”

The ARB report and its methodology were based on recent science
assessments completed by the U.S. EPA. These assessments were
required as part of the federal agency’s periodic review of the
national air quality standards for fine particle matter, or PM
2.5. The review, undertaken as a public process every five years,
was completed this spring and included peer review by the federal
Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee.

As a result of this review, the U.S. EPA concluded that there is
a causal relationship between exposure to fine particle pollution
and premature death.  A causal relationship indicates the highest
level of scientific certainty.

This initial U.S. EPA review was followed by a related risk
assessment report released in June that estimated premature
deaths nationwide from exposure to fine particulate pollution.
The U.S. EPA and its Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee
considered evidence from multiple peer-reviewed studies, and the
estimates of premature death were based on a key nationwide study
of exposure to fine particle pollution involving about 500,000
people and 116 U.S. cities, including Los Angeles and Fresno. 

ARB used the same methodology and risk factors the peer-reviewed
U.S. EPA report used and applied it to the entire state, drawing
on California-specific data from 90 fine-particulate monitoring
stations to estimate the number of premature deaths that can be
linked to this pollution.

ARB’s report estimated that 9,200 premature deaths in California
are associated with fine particulate pollution on an annual
basis, with a statistical range from 7,300 to as high as 11,000
premature deaths each year.  California has the most extensive
particulate monitoring network in the nation.   

Fine particle pollution, smaller than 2.5 microns—less than a
human hair which averages 70 microns in diameter—is the product
of a variety of sources including particles in the exhaust of
diesel engines.

Very fine particulate pollution is particularly dangerous since
it burrows deep into the lungs where it can enter the bloodstream
and harm the heart and other organs.  Fine particulate pollution
poses an especially critical health danger for children, the
elderly, and people with existing health problems.  While it is
recognized that exposure to PM 2.5 is linked to cardiovascular
disease, the report focused only on premature deaths and did not
estimate increased hospitalizations or other health impacts.

 
Illustration above shows very fine particulate pollution compared
to the 70-micrometer diameter of human hair.


ARB efforts to reduce fine particulate pollution are driven by
the need to protect public health and also by federal clean air
requirements that mandate aggressive action to meet national
clean air standards. Missing compliance deadlines could result in
the loss of federal transportation funds and other federal
sanctions.

In 1998, ARB declared particles in diesel exhaust a Toxic Air
Contaminant, a designation that required the Board to take
measures to reduce the risk. The Diesel Risk Reduction program
was instituted by ARB in 2000. Since then ARB has adopted many
regulations to reduce diesel emissions including those from
trucks, construction equipment, cargo handling equipment at ports
and rail yards, transit buses and trash trucks among others. 

The ARB has conducted extensive outreach through its website, The
Truck Stop (http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/truckstop/truckstop.htm)
and the Diesel Hotline (866-6DIESEL) over the last year to ensure
companies and truck owners are aware of available financial
assistance.  In 2006, voters approved Proposition 1B, a $1
billion bond initiative to transition to cleaner technologies and
clean up emissions from school buses, heavy-duty trucks and
diesel equipment.  Additionally, up to $140 million annually is
available through the Carl Moyer grants which are designated for
early or extra emission reductions.  There is also a low cost
truck loan program under AB 118 to help truckers access financing
before regulatory deadlines. 

The ARB report can be found at
http://www.arb.ca.gov/research/health/pm-mort/pm-report_2010.pdf
. 
THE U.S. EPA report can be found at :
http://www.epa.gov/ttn/naaqs/standards/pm/data/PM_RA_FINAL_June_2010.pdf
.

The Air Resources Board is a department of the California
Environmental Protection Agency. ARB's mission is to promote and
protect public health, welfare, and ecological resources through
effective reduction of air pollutants while recognizing and
considering effects on the economy. The ARB oversees all air
pollution control efforts in California to attain and maintain
health based air quality standards.

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