BACKGROUND:
Komex H2O Science has conducted a study to evaluate any potential environmental and health impacts of Omnitrans' three fueling facilities, located at 1700 W. Fifth Street, and 234 South I Street in San Bernardino, and 4748 Arrow Hwy. in Montclair. The study was mandated by legislation (SB1927) authored by State Sen. Nell Soto.
In an effort to reduce vehicle emissions and improve regional air quality Omnitrans received its first Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses in 1997. Since then the South Coast Air Quality Management Districts has imposed regulations that require transit operators to purchase only CNG or other approved clean fuel vehicles. CNG fueling equipment was installed at the Montclair facility in 1996 and Fifth St. site in 1998. The I St. facility dispenses unleaded gasoline only. Omnitrans switched from CNG to odorless Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) in April 2002 (Fifth St.) and June 2002 (Montclair) to eliminate the presence of methyl mercaptan, a suspected cause of odor concerns expressed by a some residents near the agency's Fifth St. station.
PURPOSE:
To determine whether or not Omnitrans' fueling facilities pose a health threat to surrounding neighborhoods.
KEY FINDINGS:
- No measurable effect from station emissions
- Multiple studies/sampling done without significant environmental measurements
- Risk from Omnitrans does not exceed risk management guidelines (EPA, Cal-EPA)
- Community surveys show no abnormal rate of symptoms
- Self-reported health status in each community has not been adversely impacted by the presence of Omnitrans fueling facilities
- No significant difference between three fueling sites
- Survey of students and school staff show majority healthy
- Risk from mobile emissions (area vehicle traffic) exceeds all other risks.
- Primary issue is intermittent odor emissions from quarterly pump outs of waste water sumps at the Omnitrans facility.
Methodology |
Completion Dates |
Public meetings assess community health concerns. |
Conducted on July 29, 31, August 5 |
Review of available records and reports from SCAQMD, Omnitrans, school district, community stakeholders since start up of CNG equipment. |
Completed August 2003 |
Inventory of emissions of three fueling stations |
Conducted September - October |
A survey of the local area (1/2 mile radius) to identify other potential emissions sources in the general area. |
Conducted October 15 - 17 |
A door-to-door public health survey (1/2 mile radius) to determine common neighborhood health symptoms |
Conducted October 20 through 24 |
Analysis of all data gathered to assess environmental and health impacts for each station and evaluate relationship between emissions and reported health effects. |
Completed October-November |
Release of draft report, beginning of 30-day comment period. |
November 19, 2003 |
Survey of students and staff approved for Ramona-Alessandro School by SBCUSD. |
Completed January 2004 |
Final report submitted to Omnitrans Board of Directors |
March 3, 2004 |
Complete Report
The complete report is posted on this site in Adobe Acrobat format.
Report and Appendices
.  |
|
