Mission Statement
  & Core Values

District Information
Directions
Staff Directory
FAQ
General Contacts
Governing Board
News & Press Releases
Office Hours
Valley Air Newsletter
Videos
Ag Permits/Conservation
 Management Practices(CMP)

Ag Burning
Dairy Permitting
Smoke Management System
Weed Abatement Burning
File a Complaint
Smoking Vehicles
Wood Burning Status
Air Alerts
Air Quality Info
Daily Forecast
Exceptional Events
Real-Time Air Advisory
 Network (RAAN)

Web-based Archived Air Quality (WAAQ) System
Make a Payment
Small Business Assistance
eTrip
Requests for Proposals (RFPs)
Abrasive Blasting
Asbestos
Breakdowns
Certified Equipment
Compliance Assistance
 Bulletins

Dust Control
Fireplaces, Stoves,
 and Heaters

Gasoline Dispensing (GDF)
Hazard Reduction Burning
INSPECT Program
Notice of Violation (NOV)
Policies/Guidance Documents
Prescribed Burning
Record Keeping Forms
Solvent Degreasing
Source Testing
State Portable Equipment
Title V Operating Permits
Training Schedule
Variances
Weed Abatement Burning
Calendar Contest
Activity Kit
Healthy Air Living Schools
Real-Time Air Advisory
 Network (RAAN)

Budget & Financial
Email Lists
Information & Documents
Request A Speaker
Public Records Requests
California Environmental
 Quality Act (CEQA)

Climate Change Action Plan
Demolition Permit Release
Guidelines for General Plans
Indirect Source Review
Emissions/Air Quality Models
Air Quality Mitigation
Transportation
Air Quality Modeling
Air Toxics
Emission Factor
Emissions Inventory
Resources
Make Payments
Application Forms
Air Toxics
Ag Permits/Conservation
 Management Practices(CMP)

Best Available Control
 Technology (BACT)

Best Performance
 Standard (BPS)

Dairy Permitting
Emission Reduction
 Credits(ERC)

eTrip
General Permitting Info
Oil and Gas Registration
Permit-Exempt Equipment
 Registration (PEER)

Portable Equipment
Public Notification
Small Business Assistance
Title V Operating Permits
Citizens Advisory Committee
Conferences
Environmental Justice
  Advisory Group

Governing Board
Hearing Board
Special City Selection
  Committee

Study Agency
Workshops & Hearings
Webcasts
Email Lists
Healthy Air Living
Public Notices
Public Records Release  Request
Receive Permit Notice
Workshops & Hearings
Current Rules
Recent Actions
Rules Main
Rules Under Development
File a Complaint
Healthy Air Living
Upcoming Events
Wood Burning
Search:
Particulate Matter Plans

What is particulate matter?

Particulate matter (PM) is a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets in the air. The size of PM is directly linked to potential health problems. EPA has set federal standards for PM10 (PM that is 10 microns or less in diameter) and PM2.5 (PM that 2.5 microns or less in diameter. Health research has also documented health effects of ultrafine particles, or particles that are 0.1 microns or smaller.

The chemical composition of PM is also a factor in the type and severity of health impacts. PM can be emitted directly into the atmosphere, or it can form in the atmosphere through the photochemical reactions of precursors. There are several PM species, or chemical compounds, including organic carbon, elemental carbon, geologic material, trace metals, secondary organic aerosols, ammonium nitrate, and ammonium sulfate. More information is available on EPA’s website.

Adopted PM Plans

  • 2018 Plan for the 1997, 2006, and 2012 PM2.5 Standards
    The District adopted the 2018 Plan for the 1997, 2006, and 2012 PM2.5 Standards on November 15, 2018. This plan addresses the EPA federal 1997 annual PM2.5 standard of 15 μg/m³ and 24-hour PM2.5 standard of 65 μg/m³; the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 standard of 35 μg/m³; and the 2012 annual PM2.5 standard of 12 μg/m³.

  • 2016 Moderate Area Plan for the 2012 PM2.5 Standard
    The District adopted the 2016 Moderate Area Plan for the 2012 PM2.5 Standard on September 15, 2016. This plan addresses the EPA federal annual PM2.5 standard of 12 µg/m3, established in 2012. This plan includes an attainment impracticability demonstration and request for reclassification of the Valley from Moderate nonattainment to Serious nonattainment.

  • 2015 Plan for the 1997 PM2.5 Standard
    The District adopted the 2015 Plan for the 1997 PM2.5 Standard on April 16, 2015. This plan addresses EPA’s annual PM2.5 standard of 15 µg/m3 and 24-hour PM2.5 standard of 65 µg/m3, established in 1997.

  • 2012 PM2.5 Plan
    The District adopted the 2012 PM2.5 Plan in December 2012. This plan addresses EPA’s 24-hour PM2.5 standard of 35 µg/m³, which was established by EPA in 2006.

  • 2008 PM2.5 Plan
    The District adopted the 2008 PM2.5 Plan in April 2008. This plan addresses EPA’s annual PM2.5 standard of 15 µg/m³, which was established by EPA in 1997.

  • 2007 PM10 Maintenance Plan
    The District adopted the 2007 PM10 Maintenance Plan in September 2007 to assure the San Joaquin Valley’s continued attainment of EPA’s PM10 standard. EPA designated the Valley as an attainment/maintenance area for PM10.

Additional Documents

  • 2015 Commitments to Leave No Stone Unturned to Evaluate Additional Opportunities
    The District’s 2015 Plan for the 1997 PM2.5 Standard contains the Most Stringent Measures, Best Available Control Measures, and ensures expeditious attainment. However, due to the need to demonstrate attainment for multiple federal ozone and PM2.5 standards in the coming years and need to search for all available emissions reductions, the District committed to conduct the following evaluation:

    • Flare Minimization Plan Further Study This study evaluates submitted FMPs to identify the most effective flare minimization practices utilized by operators to reduce flaring in various source categories and applications.

    • Warm Mix Asphalt Further Study Report This study evaluates the feasibility of using Warm Mix Asphalt (WMA) as an alternative to Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) to reduce NOx emissions.

  • 2014 Flares Further Study
    District Rule 4311 (approved by EPA on November 3, 2011) reduces emissions from flaring activities in the San Joaquin Valley through a combination of emission limitations, monitoring, reporting, and other requirements. This study includes an assessment of the implementation of Rule 4311 and an evaluation of potential opportunities for additional requirements.