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SAN LEANDRO SHORELINE DEVELOPMENT DRAFT EIR CITY OF SAN LEANDRO AIR QUALITY Air Basin is designated under the California and National AAQS as being in attainment of CO criteria levels.' Reactive Organic Gases (ROGs) are compounds composed primarily of hydrogen and carbon atoms. Internal combustion associated with motor vehicle usage is the major source of ROGs. Other sources of ROGs include evaporative emissions from paints and solvents, the application of asphalt paving, and the use of household consumer products such as aerosols. Adverse effects on human health are not caused directly by ROGs, but rather by reactions of ROGs to form secondary pollutants such as 03. There are no AAQS established for ROGs. However, because they contribute to the formation of 03, BAAQMD has established a significance threshold for this pollutant. ■ Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) are a by-product of fuel combustion and contribute to the formation of 03, PM10, and PM2.5. The two major components of NOx are nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2). The principal component of NOx produced by combustion is NO, but NO reacts with oxygen to form NO2, creating the mixture of NO and NO2 commonly called NO, NO2 acts as an acute irritant and in equal concentrations is more injurious than NO. At atmospheric concentrations, however, NO2 is only potentially irritating. There is some indication of a relationship between NO2 and chronic pulmonary fibrosis. Some increase in bronchitis in children (two and three years old) has also been observed at concentrations below 0.3 ppm. NO2 absorbs blue light; the result is a brownish -red cast to the atmosphere and reduced visibility. NO is a colorless, odorless gas formed from atmospheric nitrogen and oxygen when combustion takes place under high temperature and/or high pressure.' The Air Basin is designated an attainment area for NO2 under the National and California AAQS.' Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) is a colorless, pungent, irritating gas formed by the combustion of sulfurous fossil fuels. It enters the atmosphere as a result of burning high -sulfur -content fuel oils and coal and from chemical processes at chemical plants and refineries. Gasoline and natural gas have very low sulfur content and do not release significant quantities of S02. When S02 forms sulfates (SO4) in the atmosphere, together these pollutants are referred to as sulfur oxides (SOJ. Thus, S02 is both a primary and secondary criteria air pollutant. At sufficiently high concentrations, S02 may irritate the upper respiratory tract. At lower concentrations and when combined with particulates, S02 may do greater harm by injuring lung tissue.' The Air Basin is designated an attainment area for S02 under the California and National AAQS.10 Suspended Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5) consists of finely divided solids or liquids such as soot, dust, aerosols, fumes, and mists. Two forms of fine particulates are now recognized and regulated. Inhalable coarse particles, or PM10, include the particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of 10 microns (i.e., 10 millionths of a meter or 0.0004 -inch) or less. Inhalable fine particles, or PM2.5, have an aerodynamic diameter of 2.5 microns or less (i.e., 2.5 millionths of a meter or 0.0001 inch). ' California Air Resources Board (CARB), 2014, Area Designations: Activities and Maps, http://www.arb.ca.gov/desig/adm/ adm.htm, June. ' Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD), 2010 (Revised 2011). Appendix C: Sample Air Quality Setting, in California Environmental Quality Act Air Quality Guidelines. ' California Air Resources Board (CARB), 2014, Area Designations: Activities and Maps, http://www.arb.ca.gov/desig/adm/ adm.htm, June. ' Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD), 2010 (Revised 2011). Appendix C: Sample Air Quality Setting, in California Environmental Quality Act Air Quality Guidelines. 10 California Air Resources Board (CARB), 2014, Area Designations: Activities and Maps, http://www.arb.ca.gov/desig/ adm/adm.htm, June. PLACEWORKS 4.2-5