1980 - 1985

Bay Area Makes Air Quality Progress

As 1980 dawned and Ronald Reagan promised that it was "morning in America," a new day was also beginning for air quality in the Bay Area. Ozone excesses were starting to occur over shorter periods and to coincide more with certain weather patterns.

Excesses began as early as February in the 1960s, but in the 1970s they took place no earlier than April. In 1980, there were no exceedances of the federal ozone standard until May.

The state's "Smog Check" program went into effect in 1984. Based on a bill proposed by the Air District, it required that motor vehicles be checked for smog-forming gases every two years.

As the 1980s began, the feasibility of an Inspection and Maintenance program for automobiles was the hot topic in the Bay Area, as the Air District put forth its proposal for a "Smog Check," program. Governor Jerry Brown would eventually sign a modified version of the Inspection and Maintenance bill proposed by the Air District, which would require smog checks every two years and go into effect in 1984.

In 1981, Mt. St. Helens erupted and spewed the highest level of particulate pollution ever recorded--3,334/m3 over a 24-hour average--over the Portland, Oregon area. This same year, civil penalties for violations of Air District regulations were doubled by legislation.

In 1980, for the first time, smog episodes in the Bay Area did not begin until May. And in 1985, for the first time, there were no exceedances of the federal ozone standard during the months of August and September.

During this period, the Air District's 1982 Air Quality Management Plan was adopted, setting the Bay Area's air pollution control strategy for the next five years. And the California Legislature passed the Tanner Act, addressing toxic sources of air pollution and establishing the state's toxic air contaminant control program.

In 1983, another key regulation was adopted, when the Air District passed the first air pollution rule in the nation for semiconductor manufacturing.

In September 1983, the Bay Area reached the threshold for a first stage "Smog Alert," a one-hour average reading of O.2 parts per million of ozone. While Smog Alerts were common in the 1970s, this would be the last time a Smog Alert was issued in the Bay Area.

As part of a carbon monoxide (CO) field study, Air District staff attach a CO sampler to a weather balloon to measure vertical distribution.

While environmental programs came under closer scrutiny in Washington, D.C., in the first half of the 80s, with the Reagan administration threatening budget cuts to the EPA, the last half of the decade would see some landmark actions coming out of the state legislature in Sacramento.

1980

The Air District unveils its proposal for a "Smog Check" program for automobiles, which eventually is modified and signed into law.

1981

Air District-sponsored legislation doubling civil penalties for air pollution violations is enacted by the California legislature.

1982

The California legislature enacts the automobile Inspection and Maintenance (Smog Check) Program.

A major update to the Air District's Air Quality Management Plan is adopted, setting Bay Area air pollution control strategy for the next five years.

1983

The Air District adopts the first controls in the nation on semiconductor manufacturing.

The California legislature passes the Tanner Act, establishing the toxic air contaminant control program.

1984

The Air District installs an air quality telemetry system for polling and collection of data from its air monitoring stations.

The first Smog Check program goes into effect in California, requiring that motor vehicles be checked every two years for air pollution emissions and tampering.

1985

For the first time in 20 years of records, there were no exceedances of the federal ozone standard during the months of August and September.

Ambient toxics monitoring began at five sites using equipment provided by ARB and operated by the Air District.