Trains and Boats and Trucks - Air Quality & Health

Across the US and other countries the public is often exposed to harmful pollutants such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, lead, ozone and particulate matter from trains and boats and trucks; all of which are engaged in transporting various goods which shall eventually be used by individual consumers.

The pollution from these modes of transportation is greatest around the ports of entry for container cargo. The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach receive the highest volume of container cargo. More than 40% of all imported container cargo arrives in these two ports. Most of this cargo is consumed outside of Southern California, and must be shipped to their final destination by trains and trucks.

The ships transporting containers are fueled by "bunker fuel" which emits some of the most toxic pollutants in the air. It is estimated that the ships, trains, trucks and cargo-handling equipment around the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach emits 48 tons of nitrogen dioxide, 2.5 tons of diesel particulate matter, in addition to other pollutants on a daily basis. All of this makes the South Coast Basin the area with the worse air quality in the US.

The air quality is worst around the ports but it is also bad along freeways and freight train tracks. The sad news is that a number of schools are located near train tracks and freeways. Children attending these schools are inhaling poor quality air on a daily basis which contributes to a number of diseases.

Effects of Air Pollution

Those most susceptible to adverse health effects include the elderly and individuals with Cardiopulmonary disease.

Risks from diesel exhaust includes increased respiratory illnesses. This is responsible for decreased lung function growth in children, worsening of Asthma symptoms and frequency of Asthma attacks, increased visits to healthcare providers and increased absences from school. Exposure to diesel exhaust is also linked to increased risk of developing lung and other types of cancer, premature births and cardiovascular disease (Beeson).

Short-term effects of air pollution may be manifested as: