Study: Diesel emissions put health of 3 million residents at risk (Oakland, CA)

[Kadie]

Study: Diesel emissions put health of 3 million residents at risk
Elizabeth Fernandez, Chronicle Staff Writer

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

(03-19) 19:04 PDT OAKLAND -- Diesel emissions from trucks, machinery and other sources elevate the risk of premature death, cancer, asthma and other chronic diseases for more than 3 million people living in West Oakland and the surrounding region, according to the most detailed study yet on the issue.

The analysis by the California Air Resources Board, released Wednesday night, showed the greatest health dangers related to toxic air emissions stems from diesel trucks traversing the freeways and other roadways around West Oakland and the Port of Oakland.

The two-year public health inquiry covered a large swath of the Bay Area - 3.1 million people and 3,800 square miles. People living in the study area had an elevated potential cancer risk - nearly 1,200 additional cancers per million people due to long-term exposure to diesel particulate matter than people living elsewhere, said the study's preliminary findings.

The study also found other considerable health problems resulting from exposure to port-related diesel pollution: 18 potential premature deaths annually occurring to people 30 and older, 290 asthma attacks, 2,600 days of lost work, and 15,000 "minor restricted activity episodes."


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http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/03/19/BA1PVMN0O.DTL&tsp=1