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7.B. - Page 68 Redwood City Chapter 4.Environmental Impact Analysis Particulate matter refers to finely divided solids or liquids such as soot,dust,aerosols,and mists. Suspended particulates aggravate chronic heart and lung disease problems,produce respiratory problems,and often transport toxic elements.Suspended particulates also absorb sunlight, producing haze and reducing visibility.PM is caused primarily by dust from grading and excavation activities,from agricultural uses,and from motor vehicles,particularly diesel-powered vehicles. PM10 causes a greater health risk than larger particles,since these fine particles can more easily penetrate the defenses of the human respiratory system. PM2.5,like PM10,is primarily generated by combustion in motor vehicles,particularly diesel engines,as well as by industrial sources and residential/agricultural activities such as burning. It is also formed through the reaction of other pollutants.Like PM10,these particulates can increase the chance of respiratory disease and can cause lung damage and cancer. Toxic air contaminants are pollutants that may result in an increase in mortality or serious illness, or that may pose a present or potential hazard to human health.Health effects of TACs include cancer,birth defects,neurological damage,damage to the body's natural defense system,and diseases that lead to death.In 1998,following a 10-year scientific assessment process,ARB identified PM from diesel-fueled engines as a TAC.Compared to other air toxics ARB has identified, diesel particulate matter(DPM) emissions are estimated to be responsible for about 70 percent of the total ambient air toxics risk(California Air Resources Board 2000). Local Air Quality The existing air quality conditions in the project area are characterized by monitoring data collected by BAAQMD in San Mateo County,which are used to designate areas as nonattainment, maintenance,attainment,or unclassified for the NAAQS and CAAQS.The four designations are further defined as follows: • Nonattainment:Assigned to areas where monitored pollutant concentrations consistently violate the standard in question. • Maintenance:Assigned to areas where monitored pollutant concentrations exceeded the standard in question in the past,but are no longer in violation of that standard. • Attainment:Assigned to areas where pollutant concentrations meet the standard in question over a designated period of time. • Unclassified:Assigned to areas where data are insufficient to determine whether a pollutant is violating the standard in question. Table 4.4-1 summarizes the attainment status of San Mateo County with regard to the NAAQS and CAAQS. Addendum No.2 to the Environmental Impact Report for 4 Z3 September 2012 the Redwood City Costco Wholesale Project ICF 00154.12