U.S. EPA FACT SHEET EPA Proposes to Redesignate the Yuba City-Marysville Area to Attainment for the Fine Particulate Matter National Ambient Air Quality Standard September 29, 2014 Summary • EPA is proposing to approve California's request to redesignate the Yuba City- Marysville area to attainment for the 2006 fine particulate matter 24-hour National Ambient Air Quality Standard (2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS). These particles are commonly referred to as PM2.5 because they have a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less. • EPA is also proposing to approve California's plan demonstrating that the Yuba City- Marysville area will maintain the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS for at least ten years, the attainment year emissions inventory, and motor vehicle emissions budgets. • Today's actions represent a significant milestone in air quality improvement accomplished through the combined efforts of the Feather River Air Quality Management District, the California Air Resources Board, and EPA. Background • In January 2013, EPA issued a determination that the Yuba City-Marysville nonattainment area attained the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 standard based on complete, quality- assured, and certified ambient air monitoring data for the 2009-2011 monitoring period. Particulate Matter and Public Health • Reducing PM2.5 levels is essential because fine particles can reach the deepest regions of the lungs and exposure is linked to a variety of significant health problems including damage to lung tissue, cancer and premature death. • PM2.5 can be emitted directly into the atmosphere or formed in the atmosphere as a result of various chemical reactions from emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur dioxide, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and ammonia. Next Steps • Today's proposed action will be published in the Federal Register in approximately two weeks and include a 30-day period for public comment. • After the close of the comment period, EPA will evaluate the comments and respond to them in subsequent rulemaking action. For More Information: http://www.epa.gov/region9/air/actions/ca.html ------- |