Should the Board consider the 1997 Air Toxics Hot Spots Program Report and approve it for public distribution?
The California Air Toxics Hot Spots Information and Assessment Act is a State-mandated program enacted in 1987. Approximately 1,800 local facilities have been required to quantify emissions of toxic air contaminants. A total of 54 facilities conduct public health risk assessments based on the nature and amount of emissions. In 1997, eight of these were required to notify impacted residents and businesses because of estimated maximum cancer risks above 10 in a million and/or non-cancer health risks above levels recommended by the State Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA). Based on notification responses, three public meetings were held to provide further information regarding risks. One facility (Chemtronics, Inc., in El Cajon) has formed a citizens’ advisory group to help identify issues of community concern and is publishing a community newsletter. Also in 1997, nine additional facilities were required to conduct risk assessments based on 1994-95 toxic emissions.
