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APCD's air toxics "Hot Spots" program annual report was received by
the APCD Board on October 20, 2005.
Air toxics are chemicals released into the air that are known or suspected to cause
cancer, or other serious health problems, such as birth defects or reproductive effects. APCD’s air toxics program tracks toxic air emissions from stationary
sources. APCD also develops "industry-wide" inventories for smaller stationary
sources, such as dry cleaners and gasoline stations. The APCD program was set up to
implement and enforce the California Air Toxics "Hot Spots" Information and
Assessment Act, signed into law in 1987. (APCD's effort to enforce the federal
toxics program, commonly known as Title III, is not as fully developed as its "Hot
Spots" program, but will be a focus in the future.)
Implementation of this program has resulted in significant
reductions in the amount of air toxics emitted in Santa Barbara County. In
1991, 51 sources subject to the Air Toxics “Hot Spots” Program exceeded the
Board-approved significant health risk thresholds. Currently, only four
sources exceed the significant health risk thresholds, a 92% reduction.
For more information on air toxics in Santa Barbara County, and on the APCD report,
see: Air Toxics: Frequently Asked Questions
To download the report, see below. For downloading instructions, see How
to View and Download Documents.
For additional information on the Hot Spots program, see Air Toxics.
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or Air Toxics
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