Air Quality News
June 11th, 2008
Air Resources Board: Revised Methodology of Estimating Premature Deaths
At the May 22, 2008 Air Resources Board meeting, staff released a draft report on the revised methodology for estimating premature death associated with long-term exposure to fine airborne particulate matter (Fine PM) in California. This new methodology and results will be discussed in detail at a public workshop on:
June 25, 2008
10:00 am to 12:00 noon
Sierra Hearing Room (2nd floor), Cal/EPA Headquarters
1001 I Street, Sacramento, CA
In the draft methodology, staff has incorporated new health information that relates changes in PM2.5 exposures to premature death and developed a new relative risk of a 10% increase in premature death per 10 mg/m3 increase in exposure. Staff also recommended that a range of 7 mg/m3 to 2.5 mg/m3 be used as the lowest level of PM2.5 that can be associated with the increased risk. In the report, staff also updated the ambient air quality database to years 2004-2006. The draft methodology has undergone peer review by a panel formed by the University of California, Berkeley. Details regarding the new methodology can be found in the staff report titled “Methodology for Estimating Premature Deaths Associated with Long-Term Exposures to Fine Airborne Particulate Matter in California, Draft Staff Report, May 22, 2008″, which can be downloaded from this website: www.arb.ca.gov/research/health/pm-mort/pm-mort.htm
Paper copies of the staff report are also available and may be requested by email or regular mail at the addresses listed below.
The workshop will be Webcast at the following link: www.calepa.ca.gov/broadcast/?BDO=1
During the workshop, questions may be emailed to: sierrarm@calepa.ca.gov
The workshop can also be attended by conference call using the following information:
Telephone number: 1-877-677-0147
Passcode: 6256353#
Group Leader: Hien Tran
Additional information on activities related to updating the health impacts analysis methodology, can be found at the following website: www.arb.ca.gov/research/health/pm-mort/pm-mort.htm
Written comments on the draft methodology are being accepted through July 11, 2008 via one of the following methods:
1. email at htran@arb.ca.gov
2. fax at (916)323-1045
3. regular mail addressed to Dr. Hien Tran, California Air Resources Board, Research Division, 1001 I Street, P.O. Box 2815, Sacramento CA 95812.
Questions regarding the effort to update this methodology may be directed to Dr. Linda Smith by email at lsmith@arb.ca.gov or by phone at 916-328-8225.
