AN ECONOMIC-ANALYSIS OF OZONE CONTROL IN CALIFORNIA SAN-JOAQUIN VALLEY

This study estimates the benefits to agriculture and human health of r educing ozone in the San Joaquin Valley of California, and the costs o f ozone control. The San Joaquin Valley's highly valued crops suffer f rom high ozone levels. Federal and state primary ozone standards are b ased on health effects, not effects on other sectors, and do not consi der costs of attaining the standards. The methods here allow compariso n of both total and marginal benefits and costs. The results suggest t hat net gains can be achieved for the entire valley by reducing ozone below 1990 levels, although results vary by region.