The 1-710 freeway plays a crucial role as a com- ponent of the regional, statewide, and national movement of goods and people. The 1-710 freeway extends from the ports in the south (Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach), northward to East Los Angeles connecting major Southern Cali- fornia distribution centers and railways (Figure 1). The 1-710 freeway passes through 15 cities and un- incorporated areas with a population of over 1 mil- lion residents - about 70% of which are minority and disproportionately low income populations. The area is dense with truck traffic, industrial facilities, residences, schools, daycares, and senior centers. The U.S EPA is working with state and local govern- ments as well as local nonprofit organizations to identify and address the concerns of the communi- ties affected by the corridor (see http:// www.epa.gov/region9/ei/enforcement.htmn. What are the Environmental Issues? As a result of population growth, increased volumes of goods, and an aging infrastructure, the corridor is experiencing high volumes of traffic, which brings with it safety and environmental concerns. Here are some facts: • The Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles are the entry point of 40% of all imports to the U.S. and 20% of diesel particulate emissions in Southern California. • Approximately 2,000 premature deaths are associated with diesel emissions in the South Coast Air Basin. • The region has persistently exceeded national air quality standards for carbon monoxide,1- hour and 8-hour ozone, and particulate matter 2.5 and 10. Figure 1 • The American Lung Association's "State of the Air 2009" Report identifies Los Angeles as the most polluted city in the nation by its levels of ozone and particulate pollution. • In 2009, 78 facilities within the I-710 corridor reported a total of 1.7 million pounds of toxic chemical release under the Toxics Release Inven- tory Program. • The largest sources of air toxics in the South Coast is mobile sources (cars, trucks, construction equipment, trains), which is not reflected in the TRI. ------- Total Releases 2009 The primary releases in the I-710 corridor are air emissions (836,215 pounds) and off-site releases (823,520 pounds). Off-site releases include trans- fers to other facilities for disposal, treatment and recycling. Total Releases 2009 - Si. P I Tola I I Air I Water lOn-SiteLand Underground Injection Off-Site Transfers Media Facilities with Largest Chemical Releases 1 The top facilities in the 1-710 Corridor for total on- site and off-site releases of chemicals are: 1 2 3 4 5 fi 7 8 q 10 Facility Name BP WEST COAST PRODUCTS LLC EXIDE TECHNOLOGIES SANYO SOLAR (USA) LLC VALMONTCOATINGS-CALWEST GALVANIZING CONOCOPHILLIPS LOS ANGELES REFINERY -CARSON PLANT JOHNSON LAMINATING & COATING INC. TRIUMPH PROCESSING INC. WESTERN TUBES CONDUIT CORP. INEOS POLYPROPYLENE LLC EQUILON CARSON TERMINAL City CARSON COMMERCES LOS ANGELES CARSON LONG BEACH CARSON CARSON LYNWOOD LONG BEACH CARSON COMPTON County Los Angeles County Los Angeles County Los Angeles County Los Angeles County Los Angeles County Los Angeles County Los Angeles County Los Angeles County Los Angeles County Los Angeles County Total Releases 669 861 378 633 287,314 53,841 37 056 27 785 23,296 19,626 17 000 15,631 Top 10 Released Chemicals 1 The top released chemicals based on total on-site and off-site releases in the 1-710 Corridor are: Chemical AMMONIA LEAD AND LEAD COMPOUNDS CERTAIN GLYCOL ETHERS ZINC COMPOUNDS METHANOL TOLUENE PROPYLENE STYRENE SULFURIC ACID (1994 AND AFTER "ACID AEROSOLS" ONLY)"" HYDROCHLORIC ACID (1995 AND AFTER "ACID AEROSOLS" ONLY)"" Total Releases (pounds) 494,481 381,635 289,629 121,405 62,298 50,938 43,959 33,735 28,113 23,806 Percentage of Total Releases 30 23 17 7 4 3 3 2 2 1 Of the persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic (PBT) chemicals, lead accounted for 99.8 percent of all PBT releases. Industry Breakdown Petroleum refineries, nonferrous metal smelting and semiconductor manufacturing account for 83 percent of the total releases in 2009 within the I- 710 Corridor. Industry Petroleum Refineries Nonferrous Metal Smelting Semiconductor Manufacturing Metal Working Chemical Manufacturing Total Releases (pounds) 707,533 378,545 287,314 86,501 35,011 Percentage of Total Releases 43 23 17 5 2 Refineries are the largest category in the South Coast. South Coast has various air toxics regula- tory programs, includingthe Toxic Hotspot program, which the refineries have to comply with. EPA is working on the residual risk standards for refin- eries. The largest release from refineries is ammonia, which is half of the total refinery emissions. Am- monia is a respiratory irritant. It is regulated by the state/local agencies. South Coast has a long history of implementing the most stringent control measures available. However, the air quality continues to be poor, partly due to a combination of adverse meteorology and topogra- phy. ------- |