Air plan could mean more fireplace restrictions

Pollution district says goal is to cut particles from fireplaces, other sources

By KEN CARLSON
kcarlson@modbee.com

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The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District is unveiling a plan for reducing the tiny particles in the air that are considered the most harmful form of air pollution.

About 80 percent of the particle pollution comes from automobile and truck exhausts, but the air district doesn't have authority to regulate those sources.

The rest of the pollution comes from stationary sources such as industrial boilers and residential fireplaces. Air district officials are considering tighter regulations for those sources, including more days when the district would put a damper on household wood burning to protect the public's health.

Northern San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District site

The plan dealing with what's known as "PM2.5" pollution -- air particles 2.5 microns or smaller -- will be discussed at workshops next week and in February before the district governing board considers adopting the measures in April. The plan also requires approval from the federal government, which could require tougher restrictions.

"In the valley, we have problems with smog and particulate matter, but there are studies showing that particulate matter has more severe impacts on people's health," said Seyed Sadredin, the district's executive director.

The particles are so small they are breathed directly into the lungs and may be absorbed into the bloodstream, raising the risk of heart attacks, strokes and other health problems.

The valley has met the standards set by the federal government in 1997 to safeguard the public against the short-term effects of particle pollution, although the Environmental Protection Agency tightened the rules last year.

Sadredin said the valley should be able to meet the 1997 short- and long-term standards for particle pollution with the new plan and make progress with the more stringent 2006 standards.

The initial draft of the PM2.5 strategy has many of the same measures as the district's ozone cleanup plan that some critics believe is not aggressive enough.

The ozone plan focused on reducing nitrous oxide emissions that lead to ozone formation in the atmosphere, and the same measures can control particle pollutants, Sadredin said.

The PM2.5 strategy also targets sulfur dioxide emissions from industrial boilers and steam generators, glass plants and fertilizer manufacturers.

As for pollution caused by motor vehicle traffic, the district will urge the state to adopt regulations for cleaner-burning diesel engines in trucks, cars and farm equipment.

Tighter fireplace restrictions?

Sadredin said valley residents probably will be most interested in the fireplace restrictions.

Last year, the district adopted a policy banning residential wood-burning when the air quality is unhealthy for the general population, as is the forecast in Stanislaus County for today.

One proposal in the draft plan would ban wood burning when the air pollution exceeds the level considered unhealthy for children, seniors and people with chronic illnesses.

The regulation would result in about 15 no-wood-burning days a year in Stanislaus, Merced and San Joaquin counties, compared with two or three days under the current restrictions, the director said.

Another idea is an education campaign telling residents that a crackling wood fire spews harmful emissions. It's better to use processed logs or natural gas fireplaces or certified stoves using pellets as fuel.

Health advocates have said the district's ozone cleanup plan needs to be more stringent to prevent human suffering and the particle pollution plan already was drawing criticism Thursday.