Air Toxics Hot Spots Information and Assessment Act (AB 2588)
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Background
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is the leader in the development of control programs designed to reduce air emissions from stationary and mobile sources. Several programs at both the state and district levels, combined with investments by industry in cleaner operations and technology, and input by the public and environmental community, contribute to air emission reductions.
The Air Toxics Hot Spots Information and Assessment Act (AB 2588, Connely 1987) requires stationary sources to report the types and quantities of certain substances their facilities routinely release into the air. In September 1992, the Air Toxics Hot Spots Information and Assessment Act was amended by Senate Bill 1731 (Calderon) requiring facilities to notify people exposed to significant health risks and to reduce those health risks through a risk management plan.
In summary, the goals of the Air Toxics Hot Spots Information and Assessment Act (see Health and Safety Code Section 44360 (b) (2))are to:
- collect emissions data
- identify facilities having localized impacts
- ascertain health risks
- notify nearby residents of significant risks
- reduce those significant risks to acceptable levels
See additional information about CARB's Air Toxics Hot Spots Information and Assessment program which includes an overview of the Act.
Supporting Documents
The following two documents support the implementation of the Air Toxics Hot Spots Information and Assessment Act:
In conjunction with CARB, and as required by Health and Safety Code Section 44360, in February 2015, OEHHA published risk methodology to assess health risks from releases of air toxics at stationary sources. Key portions of OEHHA's methodology includes greater sensitivity, recent data on childhood and adult exposure to air toxics, and other exposure related refinements. Air pollution control districts are required to use OEHHA's methodology
CARB and CAPCOA Risk Management Guidance for Stationary Sources of Air Toxic
Following the release of OEHHA's methodology, CARB subsequently approved a guidance document that addresses potential cancer and noncancer heath risks from sources subject to permitting and Air Toxics Hot Spots programs. California’s 35 air pollution control districts may use the document to incorporate OEHHA's methodology into their stationary source permitting and Assembly Bill (AB) 2588 (Stats. 1987) Air Toxics Hot Spots programs.
Inventory Guidelines
Air Toxics Hot Spots Information and Assessment Act The AB 2588 Air Toxics "Hot Spots" Emission Inventory Criteria and Guidelines Regulation (Guidelines) provides direction and criteria to facilities on how to compile and submit air toxics emission data required by the "Hot Spots" Program. The current regulation was approved by the Office of Administrative Law on August 27, 2007.
Hotspots Analysis and Reporting Program Software
The Hotspots Analysis and Reporting Program (HARP) is a software suite that addresses the programmatic requirements of the Air Toxics Hot Spots Information and Assessment Act. HARP is divided into three programs: the Emissions Inventory Module, the Air Dispersion Modeling and Risk Tool, and the Risk Assessment Standalone Tool.
HARP can be used by air pollution control and air quality management districts, facility operators and other organizations or individuals to promote statewide consistency, efficiency and cost-effective development of facility emission inventories. HARP can also be used for conducting health risk assessments used in other programs (e.g., facility permitting, CEQA reviews). HARP incorporates the information presented in OEHHA's Health Risk Assessment Methodology listed above.