TITLE
Recommendation to refer the Baseline Citywide Human Health Risk Assessment to a joint meeting of the Federal and State Legislation and Environmental Affairs Committees for further review. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
On December 2, 2003, the City Council requested the City Manager to prepare a comprehensive human health risk assessment report, encompassing health risks related to
environmental air pollution and airport noise pollution exposure in the City of Long Beach. The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) selected Montgomery-Watson-
Harza Americas, Inc. (MWH) on February 6,2004, to conduct the study and prepare a comprehensive human health risk assessment (HHRA) report related to air quality and noise exposure in the City of Long Beach. The report focuses on the following: Citywide human health risks from environmental air pollution exposure;
0 Current ambient data, including particulate matter (PMIO, PM2.5), and diesel particulate matter (DPM);
0 Current Airport noise data measurements and reports;
0 Identification, review, and validation of scientific methodology and interpretations of relevant scientifically-based studies;
0 Public input;
0 Identification of data gaps and uncertainties; and
0 Evaluation of health risks potentially associated with existing air quality and noise conditions.
The findings and recommendations of the comprehensive retrospective HHRA study of the City of Long Beach are in the Baseline Air Quality and Noise Human Health Risk Assessment: Final Report and Executive Summary, dated February 4,2005. The HHRA City Council Workshop on March 1,2005 provided a summary of the scope, methodology, general data findings and data gap analyses, quantified human health risk assessments, and recommendations related to human health risks from air pollution and noise pollution in Long Beach. Long Beach ambient air quality data is monitored annually by SCAQMD (Southern California Air Quality Management District), and less specific modeled data reports were available for review from various sources. The noise
monitoring system at the airport collects data from 18 permanent monitoring stations, and sends 24-hour data into a state-of-the-art analysis and reporting system, referred to as
ANOMS (Airport Noise and Operations Monitoring System). The Airport noise assessment system provides per-event noise level information for summarized daily activity reports, monthly and quarterly noise reports, and yearly noise reports - Annual Noise Report, Annual Noise Analysis, and Annual Air Carrier Budget Briefing. The HHRA recommends the following in regards to air quality issues:
1. Provide active involvement into the current SCAQMD MATES 111 (Multiple Air Toxics Exposure Study) and future air quality sampling programs;
2. Encourage the SCAQMD to conduct additional air quality sampling programs, focusing on the Port and the freeways;
3. Engage in discussions with Dr. Thomas Mack, University of Southern California (USC), to evaluate the cancer-specific historical data for the oropharyngeal cancer clusters within Long Beach;
4. Request USC to conduct additional analyses on the Children's Health Study data sets to provide complete interpretations on the significance of the observed trends;
5. Re-evaluate the policies and procedures of the City of Long Beach Air Quality Element (AQE), and incorporate the SCAQMD Model AQE (MAQE)
recommendations to reflect current environmental and regulatory conditions; and
6. Become actively involved with the SCAQMD so specific issues can be addressed within the proper jurisdictional avenues.
The HHRA also made the following recommendations in regards to noise quality issues:
1. Preserve the City of Long Beach Noise Compatibility Ordinance (Municipal Code 16:43);
2. Maintain the Airport Noise Office and Aircraft Noise Monitoring Function (ANOMS);
3.Continue the assertive, Airport Noise Control and Mitigation Policies and Procedures (i.e., compliance with noise budgets); and
4. Monitor future research regarding scientific evidence for aircraft noise-induced public health effects.
It is recommended that the City of Long Beach Baseline Air Quality and Noise Human Health Risk Assessment: Final Report be received and referred to a joint meeting of the
State and Federal Legislation and Environmental Affairs Committees for further review and recommendations.
This matter was reviewed by Senior Deputy City Attorney Donna F. Gwin and Budget Management Officer David Wodynski on April 27,2005.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
[Timing Considerations]
FISCAL IMPACT
[Fiscal Impact]
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
[Enter Body Here]
Respectfully Submitted,
[Respectfully Submitted,]