What We Do

The North Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) is a local government agency which is committed to achieving and maintaining healthful air quality throughout its tri-county jurisdiction. This is accomplished through a comprehensive program of planning, regulation, enforcement, technical innovation, and promotion of the understanding of air quality issues.

As part of our clean air strategy, we do the following:

Adopt rules that limit pollution, issue permits to ensure compliance, and inspect pollution sources
Minimize the effects of agricultural burning through the use of smoke management plans
Inventory and assess the health risks of toxic air emissions
Monitor the North Coast's air quality by operating air monitoring stations throughout the District
Administer Motor Vehicle Emission Reduction Programs
Estimate the air quality impact of new businesses and land development projects before they are constructed
Investigate public complaints and respond to requests for information
Partner with other government agencies to promote air quality projects
Provide individuals and businesses with training on Federal, State, and local air pollution control topics

Air Pollution: A Growing Problem

Winning the battle against unhealthy air will take more than just placing tighter controls on smokestacks and tail pipes. Pollution also comes from products and services we use every day. We can help reduce pollution by making some simple changes in the way we live. One of the best ways to reduce air pollution is to prevent it from being generated in the first place. You can help do this by reducing your energy consumption, reducing the amount of products you use, and using alternative transportation when possible, along with providing regular maintenance for your consumer goods to extend their life span. This not only cuts down on the formation of air pollution, it helps preserve resources.

The air in Humboldt, Del Norte and Trinity County does not fully meet the state health standards for clean air. The two pollutants of greatest concern are ozone and particulate matter. The county's sunny climate, pollution-trapping mountains and valleys, along with the growing population, all contribute to the problem.

Ozone is an invisible pollutant formed by chemical reactions involving nitrogen oxides, reactive hydrocarbons and sunlight. It is a powerful respiratory irritant that can cause coughing, shortness of breath, headaches, fatigue and lung damage, especially among children, the elderly, the ill and people who exercise outdoors.

Particulate Matter is fine mineral, metal, soot, smoke and dust particles suspended in the air. For health reasons, we are most concerned with particulate matter less than 2.5 microns in diameter (PM2.5). Particles of this size and smaller can permanently lodge in the deepest, most sensitive areas of the lungs, and cause respiratory and other health problems. The California Air Resources Board recently concluded that PM2.5 is far more hazardous than previously estimated. The health effects and impacts to communities are discussed in the Particulate Matter Mortality fact sheet. Additional information is available on CARB's website.