Particulate Matter Plans | Valley Air District

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/m^³, 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/m^³, 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.
2006 PM10 Plan
The District adopted the 2006 PM10 Plan in February 2006. This plan addresses the PM10 NAAQS.

PM Plans Under Development

Plan for the 2012 Annual PM2.5 Standard
The District and CARB are developing an updated Plan for the 2012 annual PM2.5 standard.

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.