The Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (District) reviewed and revised an air toxics Health Risk Assessment (HRA) for the Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control Santa Barbara Focalplane (LMC) facility under the AB 2588 Air Toxics “Hot Spots” Program. LMC, located at 336 and 346 Bollay Drive in Goleta, emits nickel, arsenic, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and other toxic air pollutants during the normal course of its operation. The state of California considers these substances to be toxic air contaminants, and prolonged exposure to them may increase your risk of adverse health effects. Pursuant to state law, this notice was developed to notify neighbors located in this facility’s “significant risk footprint” of the possible health risks that result from routine facility operations. The HRA was conducted on operations at LMC that occurred in 2018. Based on LMC’s operations in 2018, a significant acute non-cancer risk was identified on two public roadways immediately adjacent to LMC. However, because there are no residents, businesses, or property owners to notify, an online public notification is being conducted in lieu of the traditional mailing. The reduction of toxic air contaminants and associated risk began in 2022 with the removal of a risk driving device, the Unitek Laser Welder, from service. In September 2024, the acute non-cancer risk was fully reduced below the District’s significance risk threshold through the addition of emission controls on the risk driving device, the Amada Laser Welder, as described below in the Risk Reduction section of this notification.
Calculating Risk
The toxic risk was calculated for LMC using a computer model that evaluates emissions information provided by the facility operator and reviewed by the District. Actual measurements of toxic emissions have not been made beyond the facility’s boundaries, nor have there been any health surveys of actual illnesses attributable to the facility’s emissions. Based on toxics pollutants emitted during 2018, the results of the computer modeling indicate that exposure to nickel from LMC may increase the possibility of adverse health impacts to one’s immune system for an individual within the significant risk footprint for one hour or more. This risk is measured by a hazard index, which is a ratio of the predicted concentration divided by the concentration that is conservatively considered to protect public health. A hazard index of 1.0 or less represents an acceptable level where the predicted air toxic exposure at or below this level would not impact public health. The acute (maximum 1-hour exposure) hazard index calculated for LMC was 1.2 at the facility boundary during the inventory year of 2018. After the results of the HRA were calculated, the District worked with LMC to implement measures which have reduced the risk below the District’s significance risk threshold as described below in the Risk Reduction section.
Significant Risk Footprint
The screening acute hazard index isopleth of 1.0 is shown below in red. The property boundary is outlined in black. The point of maximum impact (PMI) is shown in yellow. The maximally exposed individual resident (MEIR) is in orange. The maximally exposed individual worker (MEIW) is in red. Sensitive receptors are shown in green.
Screening Acute Non-Cancer Risk Isopleth (Inventory Year 2018)
Risk Driving Pollutant
Nickel is the risk driving pollutant for the acute non-cancer risk. Nickel is emitted by laser welders at 346 Bollay Drive and combustion equipment. LMC’s entire Facility Emissions Summary for 2018 is available here.
Risk Reduction
The reduction of toxic air pollutant emissions began in 2022 with removing the Unitek Laser Welder from service. The installation of the fume extractor on the Amada Laser Welder in September 2024 fully reduced the acute non-cancer risk below the District’s significance risk threshold to a hazard index of 0.96. LMC submitted their Risk Reduction Audit and Plan (RRAP) in March 2025 to document these risk reduction measures. The District conditionally approved the RRAP on June 17, 2025.
Understanding Risk
The following information helps explain how the potential health impact from the LMC compares with other types of toxic air pollution. The cars we drive, many industrial activities and numerous home products that we use all contribute toxic pollutants to our air. Exposure to these background air toxics may increase your risk of getting cancer, or experiencing other non-cancer-related effects (such as irritation of the eyes, respiratory system or skin). The California Air Resources Board provides helpful information on risk and air toxics here.
Health Risk Assessment
Details on the health risk assessment and more information about the LMC facility are available here.
Comments on Public Notification
To submit comments or request a public meeting, please contact [email protected].
More information about the AB 2588 program can be found at the District’s AB 2588 Air Toxics “Hot Spots” Program webpage.