EPA “Bumps-up” Santa Barbara County's Air Quality Status

August 25, 1997
Contact: Bobbie Bratz, (805) 961-8890

The Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today that Santa Barbara County did not meet the November 15, 1996 deadline for attaining the federal health standard for ozone. In making this finding, EPA is changing Santa Barbara County’s air quality status from a “moderate” ozone non-attainment area to a "serious" classification. The “serious” classification does not mean the county’s air quality is degrading: Santa Barbara County’s air quality continues to improve, due to the efforts of local businesses, individuals, community groups, the California Air Resources Board, and the federal EPA to control air pollution.

The new classification means that Santa Barbara’s Clean Air Plan must be revised to determine what, if any, additional pollution control efforts are needed to attain the clean air standard by 1999. The Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) is working hard to convince EPA that the serious classification should not apply to Northern Santa Barbara County where the health standard has been met. APCD Director, Doug Allard, is also pressing EPA to address air pollution that is “transported” to our county from other areas and to make sure that those areas mitigate their air pollution impacts. “We want assurance that the pollution impacting Santa Barbara County’s air quality from other upwind areas is vigorously controlled.” says Allard.

In addition to transported air pollution issues, APCD is pursuing additional federal funding to support new planning, monitoring, and other requirements imposed on areas classified as serious. APCD is also alerting our Washington representatives to seek their endorsement of our position.

Exposure to ozone can reduce lung function and increase susceptibility to respiratory infection. It can also aggravate pre-existing respiratory diseases. Children and the elderly are very sensitive to ozone exposure. Exposure to ambient ozone concentrations, even at relatively low levels, can cause respiratory symptoms such as reduced lung function, chest pain, and cough.

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