California Air Resources Board

Principal Investigator/Author: Henry A. Roman

Contractor: Industrial Economics Incorporated (IEc)

Sub-contractors: Sanford Cohen & Associates, Ecotech Resources Inc

Contract Number: 23RD003

Project Status: Active

Relevant CARB Programs: AB 2588 Air Toxics "Hot Spots", Air Toxics Program, Community Health, Exposure, People at Risk

Topic Areas: Environmental Justice, Air Pollution Exposure, People at Risk, Exposure Impacts, Health Effects of Air Pollution, Health & Air Pollution, Health Analysis, Health Risk Assessment, Emissions Data,Toxic Air Contaminants

Research Summary:

California regulates air pollutants, including toxic air contaminants (TACs) such as diesel particulate matter, to protect public health and reduce serious human health risks such as cancer. CARB currently estimates reductions in cancer risks due to regulations that reduce toxic air pollutant emissions. However, CARB does not have a valuation methodology for cancer risk reductions associated with reduced exposure to air toxic pollutants.

The main objective of this research project is to develop a methodology to quantify and monetize cancer cases that are statistically estimated due to exposures to toxic air pollutants in California. The results of this project will allow CARB to better assess the quantitative benefits associated with cancer risk reduction through various airborne toxic control measures and policies. In addition, this project will help support CARB’s efforts to assess the effects of toxic air pollutants and understand the benefits of cancer risk reduction in priority communities, including low-income communities, and communities of color.

Keywords: communities, public health, toxic air contaminants, priority communities, health assessment, modeling, dose-response, health outcome, racial/ethnic groups, cancer, valuation, benefit