 |  |  |  |  |  |
LA area's ports spread cancer threat far inland, study shows
Associated Press Wed, Oct. 05, 2005
LOS ANGELES - Diesel emissions from the Los Angeles and Long Beach ports are increasing cancer risks
miles inland, according to a new study.
The study by the California Air Resources Board concluded that air pollution from the ports creates a
potential risk of 50 additional cancer cases per million people within 15 miles of the facilities. About 2 million
people live in that area.
For the 53,000 residents closest to the ports, the risk leaps to 500 cases per million people, according to a
draft of the study, which is the first thorough examination of the cancer risk from diesel fumes generated at
the ports.
"I'm not aware of any other assessment on emissions and risks from the ports that have been done in so
much detail," said Jean Ospital, health effects officer at the South Coast Air Quality Management District, the
area's air quality regulator.
Ospital said it's surprising that port pollution seeps so far inland.
The study was done to help the air board as it reviews proposed rules for limiting ship and cargo equipment
pollution. Both ports have launched emission reduction programs.
The study concluded that the two ports emitted 1,760 tons of diesel pollution in 2002.
Diesel fumes are responsible for 71 percent of the region's cancer risk linked to air pollution, earlier
research showed.
The main risk from diesel emissions is lung cancer, which is usually fatal, said Jerry Martin, an air resources
board spokesman.
Diesel pollution from the ports also causes 29 premature deaths of people aged 30 and older, 750 asthma
attacks, 6,600 lost workdays and 35,000 days of restricted activity each year, according to the study.
Activity at the two ports is expected to triple by 2020. This could boost diesel emissions by 60 percent unless
new pollution controls are put in place, the study says.
Associated Press Wed, Oct. 05, 2005
LOS ANGELES - Diesel emissions from the Los Angeles and Long Beach ports are increasing cancer risks
miles inland, according to a new study.
The study by the California Air Resources Board concluded that air pollution from the ports creates a
potential risk of 50 additional cancer cases per million people within 15 miles of the facilities. About 2 million
people live in that area.
For the 53,000 residents closest to the ports, the risk leaps to 500 cases per million people, according to a
draft of the study, which is the first thorough examination of the cancer risk from diesel fumes generated at
the ports.
"I'm not aware of any other assessment on emissions and risks from the ports that have been done in so
much detail," said Jean Ospital, health effects officer at the South Coast Air Quality Management District, the
area's air quality regulator.
Ospital said it's surprising that port pollution seeps so far inland.
The study was done to help the air board as it reviews proposed rules for limiting ship and cargo equipment
pollution. Both ports have launched emission reduction programs.
The study concluded that the two ports emitted 1,760 tons of diesel pollution in 2002.
Diesel fumes are responsible for 71 percent of the region's cancer risk linked to air pollution, earlier
research showed.
The main risk from diesel emissions is lung cancer, which is usually fatal, said Jerry Martin, an air resources
board spokesman.
Diesel pollution from the ports also causes 29 premature deaths of people aged 30 and older, 750 asthma
attacks, 6,600 lost workdays and 35,000 days of restricted activity each year, according to the study.
Activity at the two ports is expected to triple by 2020. This could boost diesel emissions by 60 percent unless
new pollution controls are put in place, the study says.
 |  |  |  |  |  |