Air quality: standard: hydrogen sulfide

The framework is intended to help communities prepare for and respond to hydrogen sulfide exposure, including chronic and short-term events. It will incorporate updated health guidance and coordinated actions where no regulated stationary source is responsible.

What the law does ​

• Requires the State Air Resources Board to develop hydrogen sulfide response guidance with local districts, health agencies, tribes, communities, and other specified entities.
• Requires the framework to address monitoring, exposure thresholds, source-reduction methods, cross-media releases, climate and indoor-outdoor conditions, and actions for short- and longer-term events.
• Requires the framework to estimate implementation resources needed by state and local agencies.
• Requires the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment to update acute and chronic hydrogen sulfide reference exposure levels and, if identified as needed, develop additional health guidance values.
• Requires at least three public workshops, including workshops in the Tijuana River Valley and Salton Sea regions.

Who it affects ​

• Communities exposed to hydrogen sulfide from fugitive or natural sources.
• Local air districts, public-health agencies, environmental agencies, and emergency-response agencies.
• Children, older adults, and people with preexisting health conditions who may be more susceptible to exposure.

Context ​

The law targets sources not regulated as stationary sources by local air districts, including natural emissions and other fugitive releases.