Improving the Well Being of Residents and Workers in Disadvantaged Communities

About the Program

Category: Health (Best in Category)

Year: 2020

Assembly Bill 617, Nonvehicular Air Pollution, was enacted in 2017 to identify and reduce peoples’ exposure to air pollution in disadvantaged communities based on environmental, health and socioeconomic factors. Historically, air-quality monitoring has been done for regions, but not for communities and neighborhoods. This first-of-its-kind effort requires neighborhood air monitoring and air pollutant reduction plans for our disadvantaged communities. The San Diego County Air Pollution Control District (District) is leading efforts to implement the Program in the Community of Portside Environmental Justice Neighborhoods (Portside Community). The District was the first in California to form a Steering Committee to guide its efforts. It is comprised of area residents, businesses, environmental groups and government representatives to ensure all perspectives are considered when addressing the air-quality issues. The District was also the first in the state to conduct air monitoring in all disadvantaged communities with mobile equipment and use license plate readers to better determine vehicle emissions. The District also installed new fixed air monitoring stations to obtain an early picture of air pollution in the community. Utilizing the collected data emissions reduction efforts will occur, with improved air quality and public health the result.