Join us on January 30, 2026, 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is seeking input on the development of a research concept on cumulative health impacts of various pollutants and environmental stressors on different populations and communities. This effort aligns with priorities identified in CARB’s Five-Year Strategic Research Plan, including 1) expanding quantitative and qualitative methods to assess cumulative impacts, 2) determining how cumulative health burdens may differ in overburdened communities, and 3) identifying socioeconomic factors that may worsen health burdens in communities. Results from this research will inform CARB’s work including health impact analyses of future emission reduction regulations, plans, and programs.
During this meeting, staff will summarize selected scientific research and reports on cumulative impacts for use in regulatory analyses and present tentative research concepts. Members of the public, subject matter experts, community organizations, and public agencies will have the opportunity to provide feedback on these concepts or suggest other concepts for consideration during the meeting and during a two-week online public comment period (Jan 30-Feb 13, 2026).
The public meeting will be held virtually on the following date and time:
Date: Friday, January 30, 2026
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. (Pacific Time)
Location: Virtual
The deadline to register is January 27, 2026. This meeting will be held using the Zoom platform, and we will email the meeting link to the email address in the registration form after registration closes. This workshop will be recorded. Meeting agenda and slides will be available here two weeks before the workshop.
Tribal participation
In recognition of the important government-to-government relationship California has with Tribes, CARB looks forward to the participation of California Native American Tribes in this workshop. CARB also looks forward to directly engaging with Tribes, including through any request for consultation. CARB’s Tribal Relations webpage provides additional information regarding CARB’s work with Tribes as well as contact information for CARB’s Tribal Liaison.
Important note on language interpretation
Due to budget constraints, we are updating our process for providing language interpretation services (e.g., Spanish, American Sign Language, etc.) at public meetings. In accordance with the Dymally-Alatorre Bilingual Services Act (Government Code 7290-7299.8), language interpretation will be provided when at least 5% of anticipated attendees request such services. Registered participants may request services on behalf of others in advance to ensure their needs are being met. You, or someone on your behalf, must request language interpretation services from us at least 14 calendar days before the meeting date.
Background
CARB is holding this public meeting as part of its process to develop a research concept under the annual research planning process described below and on our website. Overburdened communities in California continue to face disproportionate cumulative health burdens due to multiple air pollution stressors and non-chemical stressors. CARB’s Five-Year Strategic Research Plan identifies cumulative impacts as a research priority to support and inform decision-making, develop effective outreach, and reduce associated health risks. The Research Division at CARB identified these priorities through a public research planning process.
About CARB's research program
The California Legislature created the Board’s research program in 1971 and identified it as an integral part of an effective air pollution control program. With the mandate as its foundation, the program encompasses all aspects of air pollution and develops sound, evidence-based science to inform CARB’s policy making.
CARB’s research program continues to play an important role in meeting the challenges of increasingly stringent federal air quality standards and long-term climate goals and serves as the foundation for effective regulatory decisions. Robust, evidence-based research provides the foundation for transparent, accountable, and forward-looking decisions. It also supports policies that can adapt to changing environmental and economic conditions while pursuing long-term goals, such as mitigating climate change and achieving healthy air for all Californians
CARB staff identify research priorities every fiscal year by collecting input on research ideas internally, and from other agencies and stakeholders, to identify research needs that will support key CARB programs. CARB also solicits the general public for research ideas. Research ideas are then reviewed by CARB leadership and prioritized to fit within the restrictions of our annual research budget. Selected research ideas are developed into proposals (and ultimately contracts) to perform research that is not conducted in-house. CARB’s proposal solicitations usually target the University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU) systems (per the Health and Safety Code), but occasionally CARB issues a public request for proposals (RFP). CARB’s Research Screening Committee (RSC) reviews full proposals before they are approved for funding. Proposals that are approved by CARB leadership are developed into contracts that designate a scope of work, milestones, a budget, and a project start and end date. Most projects are required to submit a Final Report that must be reviewed by the RSC. Active and completed contracts, along with related documents including Final Reports, are available in the Research Projects Catalog.
Contact
If you have questions about the workshop, please contact healthimpacts@arb.ca.gov.
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