Draft Environmental Impact Report - East Bay Municipal Utility District

Estates Reservoir Replacement Draft Environmental Impact ReportAir Qualitythe lungs and heart to work harder to provide oxygen to the body. A powerful oxidant,ozone is capable of destroying organic matter, including human lung and airway tissue(VCAPCD 2003).Nitrogen DioxideNitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ) is a reddish brown gas with an odor similar to that of bleach.It is formed in the atmosphere primarily by the rapid reaction of the colorless gas nitricoxide with atmospheric oxygen. Nitrogen dioxide participates in the photochemicalreactions that result in ozone. The greatest source of nitric oxide, and subsequentlynitrogen dioxide, is the high-temperature combustion of fossil fuels such as in motorvehicle engines and power plant boilers. Nitrogen dioxide can irritate and damage thelungs, cause bronchitis and pneumonia, and lower resistance to respiratory infectionssuch as influenza (VCAPCD 2003).Carbon MonoxideCarbon monoxide (CO) is a common colorless, odorless, highly toxic gas. The majorsource of carbon monoxide in urban areas is incomplete combustion of carboncontainingfuels (primarily gasoline, diesel fuel, and natural gas). Nearly 90 percentof the carbon monoxide emitted in the Bay Area in 2006 was contributed by motorvehicles and other mobile sources (CARB 2007). Carbon monoxide diminishes theability of blood to carry oxygen to the brain, heart, and other vital organs. Effects fromcarbon monoxide exposure include headaches, nausea, and death (VCAPCD 2003).Sulfur DioxideSulfur dioxide (SO 2 ) is a colorless gas with a sharp, irritating odor. Most of the sulfurdioxide emitted into the atmosphere is from burning sulfur-containing fossil fuels bymobile sources such as marine vessels and farm equipment, and stationary fuelcombustion. Sulfur dioxide irritates the mucous membranes of the eyes and nose, andmay also affect the mouth, trachea, and lungs (VCAPCD 2003).Respirable Particulate Matter, 10 Micron (PM 10 )PM 10 consists of particulate matter, fine dusts and aerosols, 10 microns or smaller indiameter. The primary sources of PM 10 include dust from paved and unpaved roadsand construction and demolition operations. Diesel Particulate Matter (DPM) isconsidered a toxic air contaminant in California; once in the lungs, the toxicsubstances can be adsorbed into the bloodstream and carried throughout the body.PM 10 particles contribute to aggravation of asthma, premature death, increased numberof asthma attacks, bronchitis, reduced lung function, respiratory disease, aggravationof respiratory and cardiovascular disease, alteration of lung tissue and structure,changes in respiratory defense mechanisms, and cancer (VCAPCD 2003).sb09_001.doc 3-7.4 7/22/2009