Comment Log Display

Subject: Diesel Emission and Cancer Risk Reductions from
Locomotives and Rail Yards


Chairwoman Nichols and Board Members: 

As physicians and health advocate members of Physicians for Social
Responsibility-Los Angeles, we support policies and programs that
improve air quality and reduce health disparities for communities
in California. Thus, we are asking you to take action now to reduce
emissions from rail-yards and locomotives in California by
implementing cost-effective, health-protective measures.

We see the adverse health impacts associated with exposure to poor
air quality, specifically diesel emissions, on a daily basis in our
practices. Premature death, elevated cancer and heart disease
risks, respiratory illnesses, adverse birth outcomes, and effects
on the immune system are some of the results of this pollution.

In 2008 the California Air Resources Board (CARB) completed Health
Risk Assessments (HRAs) for 18 rail yards in the state of
California. The HRAs demonstrated that these rail yards pose an
unacceptable level of diesel exposure to California residents. In
total, these rail yards are responsible for 210 tons of diesel
pollution a year.  In the city of Commerce alone the assessment
revealed that the four BNSF rail-yards emitted 40 tons of toxic air
contaminants a year in 2005, while the Union Pacific rail-yard in
Commerce emitted 11 tons. The CARB?s assessment further indicated
that statewide, rail-yard pollution puts 2.8 million residents in
California at greater risk of cancer.

Since the release of the HRAs, the state has developed mitigation
plans which target diesel emission reductions.  Unfortunately,
these plans fall short in protecting the community?s health. 

As health professionals we strongly urge the California Air
Resources Board to keep their promise to reduce exposure to harmful
pollution for all Californians and implement the following diesel
emission reduction recommendations:

1.	Create ?no idle? zones for locomotives near schools, parks and
residential areas.
2.	Create health protective buffers between sensitive receptors
and the facilities.
3.	Provide filtration systems to areas of high health risk.
4.	Enforce the use of alternative fuel for locomotives and other
emission source equipment and use the latest, newest emission
reduction technologies.

All California communities deserve to breathe air that is healthy
and free from toxic air pollutants. Implementing the strongest
possible rail yard and locomotive emission reduction measures will
go a long way in making this possible.

kathryn Santana
1975 kerns av
1975 Kerns Ave.
san marino, CA 91108