News Releases from Region 09
EPA, San Diego County Air District to Unveil Air Monitor in San Ysidro
LOS ANGELES - On Tuesday, U.S. EPA Regional Administrator Jared Blumenfeld, along with representatives from the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District (SDAPCD), U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the U.S. General Services Administration, will unveil a new air pollution monitor at the San Ysidro Port of Entry. The device, which begins operating on February 3rd, will be used to collect real time data on the levels of air pollutants in San Ysidro and adjoining communities. The monitor measures PM2.5 (fine particulate matter up to 2.5 microns in diameter) in the form of soot from engine emissions, which can result in negative health effects when inhaled.
In addition, EPA will highlight $110,000 provided to the SDAPCD for the purchase, installation, and operation of the San Ysidro PM 2.5 monitor. The U.S.-Mexico San Ysidro border crossing is the busiest land port of entry in the Western Hemisphere. On average, 50,000 cars and buses and 25,000 pedestrians cross the San Ysidro port of entry daily. Emissions from vehicle traffic potentially impact pedestrian traffic and residents who live and work in the San Ysidro area. Health studies have shown a significant association between exposure to fine particles and premature death from heart or lung disease.
WHO: Jared Blumenfeld, EPA Regional Administrator
Matt Rodriquez, Secretary, California Environmental Protection Agency
Michael Benjamin, Chief, California Air Resources Board Monitoring and Laboratory Division
Other federal, state and local officials
WHAT: Launch Air Monitor at San Ysidro Port of Entry
WHEN: Tuesday, February 3, 2015
Arrival Time: 1:30 P.M.
Event Start Time: 2:00 P.M.
**Parking can be tricky, please allow for extra time. Safety Briefing will begin at exactly 1:45 pm, followed by escort to Rooftop Event. Anyone who arrives after 1:45 pm, missing the safety briefing, will not be granted access.
WHERE: 795 East San Ysidro Blvd, San Diego, CA 92173
Please meet in the 2nd floor conference room in the Project Building. (Map below)
VISUALS: Media can view the monitoring device on the roof and get technical information from experts on its operation.
PARKING: Guests are asked to park at public parking lots near the point of entry. One is located at the intersection of Rail Court and East San Ysidro Blvd., one block from the Port of Entry around the Jack in the Box.
PLEASE NOTE: The event will be held on the rooftop. For your safety, it is required that you wear flat, closed toe shoes.
RSVP REQUIRED: *** Press must bring credentials for access. Please RSVP to Nahal Mogharabi at mogharabi.nahal@epa.gov. Please RSVP no later than February 2nd.
Directions to project building:
The best way to get there is to continue walking southbound at the end of the trolley line towards the SENTRI Pass processing building and enter through the southernmost door.