First Name | Kathryn |
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Last Name | Santana |
Email Address | Non-web submitted comment |
Affiliation | |
Subject | Diesel Emission and Cancer Risk Reductions from Locomotives and Rail Yards |
Comment | 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 |
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Date and Time Comment Was Submitted | 2009-09-21 16:38:57 |
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