The Air District’s Air Toxics Control Program unites federal and state laws with local goals to identify and reduce toxic air contaminants in the Bay Area.
Air Toxics Control Program
Under this program, the Air District’s key projects include:
1. New and modified air toxics source review
Proposed projects are reviewed for potential health impacts before construction. Significant new or modified sources must use the Best Available Control Technology to minimize toxic air contaminant emissions. If emissions from a proposed project exceed trigger levels, a Health Risk Screening Analysis must be performed. View the New Source Review of Toxic Air Contaminants Rule (PDF) for more information.
2. Air toxics hot spot evaluation
Industrial and commercial sources of toxic air contaminants, or TACs, are identified and emissions reductions are encouraged. Facilities with high risk levels must notify the public and reduce public exposure risks to certain levels within a specific time frame.
3. Air pollution control measures
Control measures aim to reduce TAC emissions in the Bay Area, including the Air District’s Hazardous Pollutants Regulation, California Air Toxic Control Measures originating from the California Toxic Air Contaminant Act, the California Air Toxic Hot Spots Program, National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants, and the federal Clean Air Act. More information about these measures is available in the next section.
State and Federal Air Toxics Rules and Regulations
The following control measures aim to reduce TAC emissions locally and nationally.
Hazardous Pollutants Regulation
This Air District regulation sets emissions and/or performance standards for several hazardous air pollutants and activities.
California Airborne Toxic Control Measures
Statewide mobile and stationary airborne ATCMs, originating from the California Air Toxic Contaminant Act.
California Air Toxic Contaminant Act (AB 1807)
Established in 1983, this act created a procedure for identifying and controlling TACs to protect public health.
California Air Toxic Hot Spots Program (AB 2588)
Adopted in 1987 in response to public concern about TAC emissions, this program requires facilities to report their emissions to the Air District. Facilities with significant health risk must perform a detailed health risk assessment, notify the public, and reduce their risk to the public.
National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants
Federal emission standards for hazardous air pollutants, originating from the Clean Air Act.
Clean Air Act
Federal law designed to control air pollution on a national level. It requires the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to develop and enforce regulations to protect the public from airborne pollutants known to be harmful to human health.