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California Air Resources Board

PO Box 2815
Sacramento, CA 95812
Phone: (916) 322-2990
Fax: (916) 445-5025
URL: http://www.arb.ca.gov
 

Mission Statement

 
The California Air Resources Board (ARB) is the state agency charged with coordinating efforts to attain and maintain ambient air quality standards, conduct research into the causes of and solutions to air pollution and its adverse health impacts, and attack systematically the serious problem caused by motor vehicles, which are the major source of air pollution in many areas of the state. The California Air Resources Board's mission is to promote and protect public health, welfare and ecological resources through effective and efficient reduction of air pollutants in recognition and consideration of the effects on the economy of the state.
  • Geographic focus: California
  • No membership
  • Other organizational activities (not directed specifically toward children): advocacy, education, regulation, research

    • Children's Environmental Health Activities

    		 
    Specific units within the ARB pursue regulatory and non-regulatory activities to identify and reduce Californians' exposures to both indoor and outdoor air pollutants. The programs conduct several major activities, including research, exposure and health assessment, development of ambient air quality standards, identification of toxic air contaminants (TACs), regulation of outdoor sources of pollutants, development of indoor air quality guidelines, public education, coordination with other agencies and organizations, and special projects.

    Research, Exposure and Health Assessment: The ARB has funded a Children's Health Study to assess the respiratory health effects on school-age children of long- term exposure to major air pollutants, including ozone, particles and acids. The indoor, outdoor and personal exposures of those children, including exposures at home and at school, are also being studied. The investigators have recruited approximately four thousand school children from selected communities across southern California. The investigators measure the children's lung function and collect information from respiratory health, activity and housing questionnaires on a yearly basis. The contractor routinely collects information on community outdoor air pollution and school absences. The information gathered will be used to refine exposure and health risk estimates. Contact the Research Division for further information.

    Other major research projects sponsored by ARB also have involved children. They include a completed children's activity pattern study and a breathing rate study, both of which are now widely used by state and federal agencies in exposure assessment programs. The activity study obtained detailed information on children's activities throughout the day and the locations in which they do those activities, plus specific information on their potential exposures to sources of air pollutants. The ARB also has funded residential monitoring studies of toxic pollutants that included children's residences. Project summaries of research findings are available as Research Notes, which may be obtained from the Research Division.

    Ambient Air Quality Standards and Toxic Air Contaminants Programs: The ARB sets state ambient air quality standards that are targeted toward protecting sensitive groups in the population. Children are often (although not always) especially sensitive to air pollutants. Thus, protection of children is often the determining factor in setting the level of a standard.

    Under the Toxic Air Contaminants Program, the ARB also identifies chemicals that are found to cause serious long-term effects such as cancer and neurological/developmental disorders. ARB develops regulations and coordinates the State's efforts to see that federal and state air quality standards are met and to attain acceptable ambient air levels of toxic air contaminants. For further information regarding ambient air quality standards and toxic air contaminants, contact the ARB's Public Information Office.

    Indoor Air Quality Guidelines: The ARB develops public information documents designed to inform the public of steps they can take to reduce their exposure to indoor air pollution. These publications are designed for the entire population but are especially useful for reducing children's exposure to air pollutants, because children spend so much time indoors. Indoor air quality guidelines can be obtained from the Public Information Office or from the Research Division.

    Education/Other Publications: The ARB has partnered with the California Department of Education to develop and publish a Compendium for Air Quality. This document contains a teacher-evaluated curriculum for kindergarten through 12th grade and has been approved for use in California schools by the State Board of Education. The Compendium is available upon request from the California Department of Education and the ARB.

    There are other ARB activities that directly or indirectly benefit children, and additional publications that are specifically targeted toward younger citizens. Posters, placemats, displays and other items have been developed for children and are available from the Public Information Office.