Brian Barton
California has long struggled with air pollution, and its cities consistently rank among the worst in the US for air quality. The state's large population, significant port industry, and growing economy create substantial emissions from traffic, diesel trucks, construction, agriculture, and domestic sources. California's geography, warm climate, and mountainous terrain also contribute to the formation of ozone and the trapping of pollution. The state has implemented various measures to tackle this issue, including the Clean Air Act, the establishment of the California Air Resources Board (CARB), and stricter emission standards for diesel trucks and other vehicles. Despite these efforts, air pollution in California continues to harm people's health and the environment, with thousands of fatalities attributed to poor air quality each year.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Air quality standards | Not met on 1.6 million acres of California's 3 million acres of lakes, bays, wetlands, and estuaries |
| Air pollution sources | Wildfires, industrial facilities, transportation, commercial activities, diesel trucks, oil tankers, ships, construction, agriculture, domestic emissions, traffic, and more |
| Air pollutants | Ozone, particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds, and toxic air contaminants |
| Air pollution effects | Irritated eyes, burning lungs, nausea, coughing, worsening of underlying health conditions, thousands of fatalities, increased asthma cases, and more |
| Actions to improve air quality | Clean Air Act, Mulford-Carrell Air Resources Act, formation of California Air Resources Board (CARB), Zero Emission Vehicle mandate, stricter emission standards for diesel trucks and oil tankers, and more |
| Water quality regulation | Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act |
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What You'll Learn
California's air pollution
California has long struggled with air pollution, and for many years, it topped the US rankings as the state with the worst air quality. The state's ever-growing population, abundance of cars, sunny weather, and wildfires have contributed to this issue.
In 1943, people in California first experienced the harmful effects of smog, which caused irritated eyes, burning lungs, and nausea, leading them to wear masks to protect themselves from the polluted air. This prompted California politicians and leaders to take action in 1967, resulting in the creation of the Mulford-Carrell Air Resources Act, which established the California Air Resources Board (CARB). The Federal Air Quality Act of 1967 also allowed California to set stricter air quality rules due to its unique conditions.
Despite these efforts, air pollution in California continues to harm people's health and the environment. According to the American Lung Association's "State of the Air 2017" report, California leads the nation in air pollution, with Los Angeles-Long Beach, Bakersfield, and Fresno-Madera having the highest recorded levels of ozone (smog). More than 90% of Californians live in counties with unhealthy air quality, and thousands of fatalities each year are attributed to air pollution.
To address these issues, California has implemented various measures. Under the Clean Air Act, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) works with state and local governments to reduce air pollution and limit its damage. The Act has been amended to establish emission standards for reducing hazardous air pollutants. California has also adopted stricter emission standards for diesel trucks, oil tankers, and ships, aiming to eliminate 10,000 tons of emissions annually. Additionally, the state has become a global leader in climate change initiatives, partnering with other nations and implementing programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, such as the Zero Emission Vehicle mandate.
While California has made significant progress, the pursuit of clean air remains challenging. New soot standards set by the Biden administration in 2024 aim to reduce fine particle pollution, but achieving these targets will require extensive state and local regulations. California officials acknowledge the need for federal assistance in addressing emissions from aircraft, trains, and ships, which are significant sources of soot.
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Water quality standards
California has a history of facing challenges with water pollution. In 2011, an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) study revealed that water quality standards were not met on 1.6 million acres of California's 3 million acres of lakes, bays, wetlands, and estuaries.
The Federal Clean Water Act defines water pollution as "dredge spoil, solid waste, incinerator residue, sewage, garbage, sewage sludge, munitions, chemical wastes, biological materials, heat, wrecked or discarded equipment, rock, sand, cellar dirt, and industrial, municipal, and agricultural waste discharged into water."
The Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act governs water quality regulation in California. The State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board), created by the California State Legislature in 1967, is responsible for providing comprehensive protection for California's waters. It has the joint authority of water allocation and water quality protection. The State Water Board's Division of Drinking Water (Water Board) regulates public water systems and establishes drinking water standards for contaminants.
There are nine Regional Water Quality Control Boards (Regional Boards) that develop and enforce water quality objectives and implementation plans. These plans aim to protect the beneficial uses of the state's waters, taking into account local differences in climate, topography, geology, and hydrology. The Regional Boards administer Basin Plans, which embody California's water quality standards. Amendments to these plans are reviewed by the State Board and the State's Office of Administrative Law (OAL) before being submitted to the EPA for final approval.
Establishing a state drinking water standard in California involves a two-phase process. Firstly, the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) determines a Public Health Goal (PHG) based on the scientific understanding of the health effects of a particular contaminant. The PHG represents the level of a chemical contaminant that does not pose a significant health risk to drinkers. For cancer-causing contaminants, OEHHA typically employs a one-in-a-million risk level. The evaluation and proposed PHG undergo a peer review by scientific experts, and OEHHA makes revisions based on their feedback. The evaluation and draft PHG are then released for public comment, potentially leading to further revisions. Finally, OEHHA finalizes the PHG, and the Water Board sets a legally enforceable drinking water standard.
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Climate change
California has been noted for its poor air quality, with the state's large population, significant port industry, and growing economy contributing to high emissions levels. The state has implemented various measures to tackle this issue, such as the Clean Air Act (CAA), which limits the release of chemical pollutants from industrial and chemical plants, and the establishment of the California Air Resources Board (CARB), which sets standards for acceptable levels of traditional pollutants and toxic air contaminants.
CARB has identified about 200 pollutants as air toxics and continues to adopt measures to reduce emissions, such as stricter emission standards for diesel trucks, oil tankers, and other ships, which are expected to eliminate 10,000 tons of emissions per year. Despite these efforts, California still faces significant air pollution challenges, particularly from wildfires, which have increased in frequency and intensity due to climate change. The state's unique geographical features, such as its mountainous terrain, also contribute to trapping pollution, especially in coastal valleys.
To address these challenges, California has become a global leader in climate change initiatives, entering agreements with other nations and linking cap-and-trade programs with Quebec. The state has also established programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, such as the Zero Emission Vehicle mandate, which aims to add 1.5 million hydrogen fuel cell vehicles to the roads by 2025, helping to clean up the transportation sector. These efforts demonstrate California's commitment to mitigating the impacts of climate change and improving the health and well-being of its residents.
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Wildfires
California is taking several measures to deal with the threat of wildfires, which have devastated communities and caused losses in the state. The state government is investing in more projects to prepare for, prevent, and mitigate wildfires, with a focus on protecting underserved communities.
One key initiative is the Wildfire Prevention Grants Program, funded through California's Wildfire & Forest Resilience efforts and California Climate Investments (CCI). This program provides grants for projects like reforestation and hazardous fuels reduction, as well as community education and planning. These projects aim to safeguard environmental and cultural resources while reducing the risk of wildfires.
CAL FIRE, California's state fire agency, plays a crucial role in wildfire prevention and mitigation. They have identified 35 priority projects, including vegetation clearing, the removal of hazardous dead trees, and the creation of fuel breaks. Governor Newsom also issued an Emergency Proclamation in 2019, directing CAL FIRE to implement immediate projects to protect lives and property in vulnerable communities.
Additionally, California is seeking input from regulatory agencies and employing best management practices to identify and avoid sensitive resources during wildfire prevention work. The state recognizes the importance of balancing wildfire prevention with environmental protection.
To further support communities affected by wildfires, various organizations are providing relief and mutual aid. These include the Direct Relief organization, the Mutual Aid Los Angeles Network, and the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, which provides equipment and funds critical programs for firefighters.
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Air quality regulation
California has long struggled with poor air quality, and the state's air pollution has been worsening in recent years. The state's large population of 39 million, significant port industry, and growing economy create significant emissions from traffic, diesel trucks, construction, agriculture, and domestic sources. California's most populous cities, including Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, and San Francisco, are all located near coastal mountain ranges, which can trap pollution in the coastal valleys. The state's warm climate also contributes to ozone formation.
In 1943, California residents first complained that smog was causing side effects such as irritated eyes, burning lungs, coughing, and nausea. In 1967, the state legislature addressed these concerns with the Mulford-Carrell Air Resources Act, which established the California Air Resources Board (CARB). CARB works with local governments, businesses, and residents to address California's high air pollution levels through research and proposed legislation. CARB has set standards for eight "traditional pollutants," including ozone and particulate matter, and has identified about 200 pollutants as toxic air contaminants (TACs).
Under the Clean Air Act (CAA) of 1970, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) works with state and local governments and federal agencies to reduce air pollution and limit its damage. The Act was amended in 1977 and 1990, establishing emission standards and identifying common emission sources. California was allowed to set more stringent air quality rules due to its unique conditions. In 2020, California adopted stricter emission standards for diesel trucks, oil tankers, and other ships to tackle rising smog. These new rules are expected to eliminate 10,000 tons of emissions per year.
California has also become a global leader in climate change by entering agreements with other nations and linking cap-and-trade programs. Many programs have been established to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including a Zero Emission Vehicle mandate, which aims to add about 1.5 million hydrogen fuel cell vehicles to the roads by 2025. Despite these efforts, air pollution in California continues to harm people's health and the environment, and environmentalists and lawmakers are pushing for stronger air quality regulations. Assembly Bill 2550, for example, aims to give greater power to CARB to examine why local air quality plans fail and bring in community groups to combat air pollution.
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Frequently asked questions
California has adopted new, stricter emission standards for diesel trucks, oil tankers, and other ships, which are expected to eliminate 10,000 tons of emissions per year. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has also set standards for eight "traditional pollutants" and identified about 200 pollutants as toxic air contaminants (TACs). CARB continues to work with local governments, the business sector, and the public to address air quality problems.
The Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act governs the water quality regulation in California.
Wildfires have a severe impact on California's yearly air pollution averages. In 2019, 19 out of the 20 most polluted cities in the US were located in California, which was the state most affected by wildfires that season. In 2020, California experienced extremely unhealthy air quality levels due to wildfires, with major cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco recording numerous days with exceptionally high levels of air pollution.
