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AB-827 Public health: pulmonary health: Salton Sea region.(2023-2024)

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Date Published: 02/13/2023 09:00 PM
AB827:v99#DOCUMENT


CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2023–2024 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Bill
No. 827

Introduced by Assembly Member Garcia

February 13, 2023

An act to add Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 104324.6) to Part 1 of Division 103 of the Health and Safety Code, relating to public health.


LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


AB 827, as introduced, Garcia. Public health: pulmonary health: Salton Sea region.
Existing law establishes the State Department of Public Health and prescribes its duties related to public health, including the prevention of disease and the promotion of health. Among other duties, contingent on appropriation in the annual Budget Act, the department is required to analyze asthma morbidity and mortality data, periodically assess the burden of asthma on the state’s medical and economic resources, and identify those populations most seriously affected by the disease.
This bill would require the department to conduct a study of the pulmonary health of communities in the Salton Sea region. The bill would also make related findings and declarations.
Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: YES   Local Program: NO  

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:


SECTION 1.

 The Legislature finds and declared all of the following:
(a) A detailed epidemiological study throughout the Salton Sea region is needed to identify the communities and neighborhoods where asthma is most prevalent in the region.
(b) Clinical studies are needed to determine whether asthma-like symptoms in the Salton Sea region represent a distinct type of asthma that can be clearly diagnosed. These studies should include an assessment of whether existing medical approaches are effective. In addition, potential associated symptoms, including nosebleeds, eczema, allergies, and dermatitis, need to be studied to establish whether there is any mechanistic relationship to the symptoms that impact the lungs.
(c) If dust that originates from the Salton Sea is responsible for the pulmonary symptoms in residents, studies should identify the toxins and chemicals that cause those symptoms.
(d) Studies are needed to determine the effectiveness of the dust mitigation efforts that are being implemented in the Salton Sea region.

SEC. 2.

 Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 104324.6) is added to Part 1 of Division 103 of the Health and Safety Code, to read:
CHAPTER  9. Salton Sea Pulmonary Health

104324.6.
 The State Department of Public Health shall conduct a study of the pulmonary health of communities in the Salton Sea region.