Trucks spew deadly pollution at nation’s ports, new reports show
by: Marilyn Bechtel
December 23 2009
tags: environment, pollution, health care, auto industry, California, workers, health
Two reports published earlier this month, one on the East Coast and one on the West Coast, underscore the importance of cleaning up the air around the nation's ports, with emphasis on emissions from thousands of trucks that shuttle to and from the docks.
One is a study by the New York-New Jersey-based Coalition for Healthy Ports, titled "Hazardous to Our Health: The human impact of port truck pollution on truck drivers and residents in New York and New Jersey."
"Exposure to diesel particulate matter causes hypertension, asthma, heart disease, lung cancer and a host of other respiratory illnesses, and can often be deadly," the environment-labor-community group said. Citing studies showing daily emissions from the ports equaling that from over 400,000 cars, it said evidence increasingly points to port truck pollution in soaring illness rates among drivers and residents of nearby communities.
More than one of every four schoolchildren in Newark, N.J., suffers from asthma, and the death rate from asthma is twice the rate found in suburban and rural areas of the same county, the report said. Port communities also have cancer risks hundreds of times greater than the Environmental Protection Agency's "acceptable cancer level" of one in a million. Port truckdrivers are especially hard hit, since most also live near the ports.
Since the trucking industry was deregulated in 1980, most port drivers are so-called independent contractors, shouldering all costs for their rigs, and barred from organizing to better their conditions. As a result, the coalition says, the average New York and New Jersey driver earns less than $10/hour and has no health insurance. Because drivers can only afford old, dirty trucks, the Port Authority estimates that nearly all trucks now serving the ports fail to meet 2007 EPA engine standards.
The mayors of New York, Newark, Oakland, Los Angeles and other cities recently joined together to urge Congress to help local authorities overcome the roadblocks, including outdated laws, holding back cleanup efforts.
On the opposite coast, Contra Costa Times reporters Sandy Kleffman and Suzanne Bohan launched a series of articles drawing on data specially compiled by the Alameda County Health Department, which serves communities across the bay from San Francisco.
"Examining asthma rates reveals a stunning pattern," the reporters found. "By far, the most hospitalizations occur in low-income communities near the Port of Oakland, along busy Interstate 880 in East and West Oakland, and the convergence of freeways near North Oakland and Emeryville." Significant truck traffic on those freeways is linked to the Port of Oakland, and trucks often pass through and park in nearby residential neighborhoods.
The reporters also cited a cancer risk three times higher in West Oakland neighborhoods near the port than in the Bay Area as a whole.
Oakland, too, has been developing a Clean Trucks Program as part of its overall Maritime Air Quality Improvement Plan. The Oakland Coalition for Clean and Safe Ports has been encouraging the port there to follow in the footsteps of the programs that have cut port truck air emissions by about 70 percent in the last 15 months at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
LA would also require trucking firms to have "concession" status with the port and to hire drivers as employees, making the firms responsible for their trucks. Those plans and a similar proposal for Oakland are now in limbo pending the outcome of the American Trucking Association's lawsuit against the concession requirement.
Progress also brings contradictions. Earlier this year the Port of Oakland said, starting Jan. 1, pre-1994 trucks would be banned and filters would be required on those built between 1994 and 2003. In either case, costs in the tens of thousands are far beyond the reach of most independent drivers, and subsidies offered by the port have run out, leaving many drivers stranded.
One of these is Manuel Rivas, 56, a single father of three who has been a port driver for 21 years. His 1989 truck broke down months ago, and Rivas can't afford a new truck, or even a newer used one which would quickly become obsolete.
"I've lost my job," he told the People's World in a phone interview. "My situation is terrible - I don't know what will happen after Jan. 1. Because I'm an independent driver, I have no unemployment insurance, and at 56, I'm too old to find another job."
Rivas, who describes damage to his own health from years of breathing fumes, continues to support efforts to cut diesel pollution at the port. But he says the drivers need more consideration.
Meanwhile, he continues to work with other drivers in the same plight, with support of the Oakland Clean and Safe Ports Coalition, which is working on ways to help drivers find new jobs or get retraining.
Photo: PW/Marilyn Bechtel
"http://www.peoplesworld.org/trucks-spew-deadly-pollution-at-nation-s-ports-new-reports-show/"
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Bridge consultant moves to oust Detroit political foe
Dave Battagello, The Windsor Star
Published: Wednesday, August 26, 2009
A political consultant hired by the Ambassador Bridge has orchestrated the filing of three recall petitions against state Rep. Rashida Tlaib after her tenacious efforts to force bridge owner Matty Moroun to carry out stringent environmental studies and acquire proper permits before building a twin span.
Moroun has hired Adolph Mongo -- whose lengthy political history includes promoting the interests of former Detroit mayors Kwame Kilpatrick and Coleman Young -- to chase Tlaib from her southwest Detroit district, which includes the bridge, Tlaib alleges.
Mongo doesn't live in the district, but has backed the efforts of a Delray resident to file recall documents with the Wayne County clerk's office. He cited Tlaib's support of the competing DRIC bridge project and potential destruction it would cause in Delray.
The recall effort comes in the wake of the bridge company legally threatening Coun. Ron Jones to refrain from critical comments on this side of the border.
On Tuesday Tlaib, a Democrat, blasted the bridge for trying to silence her for defending the best interests of her community and residents.
"I was not elected to represent Mr. Mongo or a billion-dollar company," she said. "I represent the people of the 12th district and this is what they elected me to do -- make sure permits and environmental clearance are in place before any bridge is built.
"I've been very clear about that with the Ambassador Bridge and they expressed no interest in listening. They continue to hire lawyers looking for short cuts."
Her district is in the shadows of Zug Island and other heavy industry and residents suffering from higher than normal asthma and heart disease rates, she said. Increased truck traffic and environmental fallout from a second Ambassador span need to be scrutinized before construction can occur, she said.
"My community wants the same things as the community in Windsor -- to be free of high asthma rates and have safer truck traffic movement," Tlaib said. "We are fed up with trucks in our neighbourhoods."
Mongo has denied that bridge owner Moroun has anything to do with the recall effort.
The next step calls on those looking to recall Tlaib to collect about 2,000 signatures and present them to the Wayne County Clerk's office to force a special election. The next scheduled state election is a year away.
Tlaib has won support in recent months from Detroit city council, the U.S. Coast Guard and the Department of Homeland Security to study more closely the impact of Moroun's twin span before granting permits.
Messages left with bridge president Dan Stamper Tuesday were not returned.
"The bridge company is doing what they can to silence and intimidate me," Tlaib said. "They cannot illegally build a bridge in this district. All these folks are dying from respiratory illness and we have heavy industry all around us. People are fed up."
- - -
DRIC BACKED
There should be no concerns about Michigan's commitment to a binational government effort to build a new Windsor-Detroit crossing, a spokesman for the Michigan Department of Transportation said Tuesday.
Even though the state has yet to purchase a single property in Delray -- a southwest Detroit neighbourhood that will serve as home to the new plaza and bridge entrance on the U.S. side -- there are hopes that may change when the state completes its budget before the end of September.
"We still have our (environmental assessment) approval in place," said Bill Shreck, spokesman for MDOT. "The budget is still in front of the legislature. We don't know what language, if any, will be in the budget (to support the DRIC bridge)."
Michigan is part of the binational Detroit River International Crossing study.
http://www2.canada.com/windsorstar/news/story.html?id=25c105b1-21e7-474b-b14a-1d54bc67afa7&p=2
Published: Wednesday, August 26, 2009
A political consultant hired by the Ambassador Bridge has orchestrated the filing of three recall petitions against state Rep. Rashida Tlaib after her tenacious efforts to force bridge owner Matty Moroun to carry out stringent environmental studies and acquire proper permits before building a twin span.
Moroun has hired Adolph Mongo -- whose lengthy political history includes promoting the interests of former Detroit mayors Kwame Kilpatrick and Coleman Young -- to chase Tlaib from her southwest Detroit district, which includes the bridge, Tlaib alleges.
Mongo doesn't live in the district, but has backed the efforts of a Delray resident to file recall documents with the Wayne County clerk's office. He cited Tlaib's support of the competing DRIC bridge project and potential destruction it would cause in Delray.
The recall effort comes in the wake of the bridge company legally threatening Coun. Ron Jones to refrain from critical comments on this side of the border.
On Tuesday Tlaib, a Democrat, blasted the bridge for trying to silence her for defending the best interests of her community and residents.
"I was not elected to represent Mr. Mongo or a billion-dollar company," she said. "I represent the people of the 12th district and this is what they elected me to do -- make sure permits and environmental clearance are in place before any bridge is built.
"I've been very clear about that with the Ambassador Bridge and they expressed no interest in listening. They continue to hire lawyers looking for short cuts."
Her district is in the shadows of Zug Island and other heavy industry and residents suffering from higher than normal asthma and heart disease rates, she said. Increased truck traffic and environmental fallout from a second Ambassador span need to be scrutinized before construction can occur, she said.
"My community wants the same things as the community in Windsor -- to be free of high asthma rates and have safer truck traffic movement," Tlaib said. "We are fed up with trucks in our neighbourhoods."
Mongo has denied that bridge owner Moroun has anything to do with the recall effort.
The next step calls on those looking to recall Tlaib to collect about 2,000 signatures and present them to the Wayne County Clerk's office to force a special election. The next scheduled state election is a year away.
Tlaib has won support in recent months from Detroit city council, the U.S. Coast Guard and the Department of Homeland Security to study more closely the impact of Moroun's twin span before granting permits.
Messages left with bridge president Dan Stamper Tuesday were not returned.
"The bridge company is doing what they can to silence and intimidate me," Tlaib said. "They cannot illegally build a bridge in this district. All these folks are dying from respiratory illness and we have heavy industry all around us. People are fed up."
- - -
DRIC BACKED
There should be no concerns about Michigan's commitment to a binational government effort to build a new Windsor-Detroit crossing, a spokesman for the Michigan Department of Transportation said Tuesday.
Even though the state has yet to purchase a single property in Delray -- a southwest Detroit neighbourhood that will serve as home to the new plaza and bridge entrance on the U.S. side -- there are hopes that may change when the state completes its budget before the end of September.
"We still have our (environmental assessment) approval in place," said Bill Shreck, spokesman for MDOT. "The budget is still in front of the legislature. We don't know what language, if any, will be in the budget (to support the DRIC bridge)."
Michigan is part of the binational Detroit River International Crossing study.
http://www2.canada.com/windsorstar/news/story.html?id=25c105b1-21e7-474b-b14a-1d54bc67afa7&p=2
Monday, July 27, 2009
Dear friends, advocates and neighbors,
My office is hosting the first-ever Environmental Justice Forum in Southwest Detroit lead by local residents on Monday, August 10th at Latino Family Services, located at 3815 W. Fort St. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. and program begins at 9:30 a.m. Lunch will be served.
Our community has endured great hardship over the number of environmental injustices near our homes, schools and parks. Many agencies, community members and others have been advocating on our behalf. However, this forum is allowing elected officials, health officials and social justice advocates to hear directly from residents on how on how large-scale industry and transportation projects impact human health, environment, and the quality of life of our families.
Topics to include:
• Detroit Salt Mine blasting
• Marathon Oil Refinery expansion
• Truck traffic and rail industry
• Detroit River International Crossing and Community Benefits
• Ambassador Bridge Second Span
Participants will develop community action events and concrete solutions to address the impacts. Please make an effort to come out support local residents and their effort to be heard.
I hope to see you all on August 10th. If you have any questions please call my office at 517-373-0823.
Attached please find a flyer for the invite (in English and Spanish) to forward to your networks and friends.
Best,
Rashida Tlaib
State Representative
12th District, Southwest Detroit
Friday, July 17, 2009
Twinned Ambassador Bridge 'makes no sense'
Twinned Ambassador Bridge 'makes no sense'
Liberal Sen. Colin Kenny and Conservative Sen. Pamela Wallin tour plaza
By Chris Thompson, The Windsor StarJuly 16, 2009
The Windsor Star
WINDSOR, Ont. -- The twinning of the Ambassador Bridge isn’t needed, the chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on National Security and Defence said during a whirlwind tour of the bridge’s Canadian security operation Thursday.
“I don’t think it should be at this location,” said Liberal Senator Colin Kenny, who toured the bridge plaza along with committee deputy chairwoman, Conservative Senator Pamela Wallin.
“The idea of twinning this facility makes no sense because if this facility went down, you’d lose both of them,” he said.
So, let’s have it at another location.”
Kenny and Wallin toured the passenger and commercial processing facilities, including the VACIS truck examination unit, and held a working lunch with representatives of the Canada Border Services Agency and other agencies.
“Essentially, we’re going (from) Halifax to Vancouver looking at different border crossings.” said Kenny.
“We’re very concerned that we have as effective a system as we can have. We see it as jobs in Canada and we think it is very important that our border is robust and effective.”
Kenny said security will have to be a major consideration at the new border crossing.
“We think another bridge, not necessarily an Ambassador Bridge, we think another bridge is very important,” said Kenny.
“I’m very concerned that it’s been delayed past 2013 but if it’s coming it’s very good news for people in southern Ontario and Windsor in particular.
“We need to make sure that we do have capacity as trade grows. Secondly, if you’re relying on a single crossing and something goes wrong with it, things shut down, and that could have a devastating effect on the economy of Ontario.”
Kenny would not identify his preferred location for the new crossing, citing the ongoing DRIC process.
Wallin, who previously served as the Canadian consul general in New York City, said she understands the U.S. concerns about security precluding those of trade.
“You’re asking somebody who lived in the United States in the weeks and months and years after 9-11 so I’m very sensitive to their mindset about that,” said Wallin, a former television journalist and host.
“They do see the world through the security lens. We tend to see the world through the trade and sovereignty lens so we need to go a long way to ensure that each understands what is crucial to that other person.”
Kenny said he was impressed with the changes he saw at the bridge since his last visit in 2007.
“They have it where they are able to clear a lot more trucks through right at the primary inspection line than they could before, so that’s a different thing than before,” said Kenny.
“Prior to that, far more trucks were sent to a secondary location that is up the road and here the trucks are being cleared more rapidly, which is an encouraging sign. It’s a very positive thing.”
© Copyright (c) The Windsor Star
http://www.windsorstar.com/news/Twinned+Ambassador+Bridge+makes+sense/1798170/story.html
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Southwest Solutions takes a stand on the bridge issue
Southwest Solutions is a nonprofit organization providing mental health, affordable housing, services to the homeless, literacy programs, and community organizing in southwest Detroit. The organization’s annual budget is $23 million and its real estate portfolio $70 million in real estate assets in southwest Detroit.
Since 1999 and in collaboration with other organizations, Southwest Solutions has worked intently to maintain a knowledgeable and educated position regarding international bridge-related issues.
By way of background, the Ambassador Bridge, is owned and operated by the Detroit International Bridge Company (DIBC), a privately-held corporation. DIBC will strongly benefit from a $200 million investment by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) in a complete rebuilding of the infrastructure connecting the existing bridge to the interstate highway system. DIBC’s intention is to build a six lane “replacement” span adjacent to the existing bridge.
In addition to DIBC’s plans is the Detroit River International Crossing (DRIC), a bi-nationally sponsored public endeavor to erect and maintain a publicly-owned bridge situated downriver from the Ambassador Bridge. This new bridge would connect the Delray community in southwest Detroit with Brighton Beach, Ontario.
In partnership with the Gateway Collaborative and others, Southwest Solutions has sought to protect the interests of the Southwest Detroit community with respect to bridge-related issues. We believe that the best way to protect the community is to promote vigorous and continuous dialogue between both DIBC and the promoters of DRIC and community residents. This dialogue should include:
o public hearings
o study and analysis of community impacts
o continuous dialogue between the community and the United States Coast Guard, the Michigan State Historic Preservation Office, the Michigan Department of Transportation, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, and the U.S. Federal Highway Administration.
In light of recent developments regarding bridge-related issues, Southwest Solutions:
1. Affirms our position that Southwest Solutions seeks to protect the best interests of residents and the small businesses that serve them in connection with both the current Gateway Project and any new international bridge project originating in our community;
2. Stresses that community protections in connection with such projects must be codified through legally enforceable agreements, such as Community Benefits Agreements, before any bridge plan is approved and before any bridge construction can begin;
3. Opposes any plan that fails to reduce bridge-related traffic volumes on surface streets in our community;
4. Will help ensure that community concerns are presented to appropriate governmental and regulatory bodies;
5. Seeks completion of full environmental impact studies and the sharing of results of those studies with the local community.
Since 1999 and in collaboration with other organizations, Southwest Solutions has worked intently to maintain a knowledgeable and educated position regarding international bridge-related issues.
By way of background, the Ambassador Bridge, is owned and operated by the Detroit International Bridge Company (DIBC), a privately-held corporation. DIBC will strongly benefit from a $200 million investment by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) in a complete rebuilding of the infrastructure connecting the existing bridge to the interstate highway system. DIBC’s intention is to build a six lane “replacement” span adjacent to the existing bridge.
In addition to DIBC’s plans is the Detroit River International Crossing (DRIC), a bi-nationally sponsored public endeavor to erect and maintain a publicly-owned bridge situated downriver from the Ambassador Bridge. This new bridge would connect the Delray community in southwest Detroit with Brighton Beach, Ontario.
In partnership with the Gateway Collaborative and others, Southwest Solutions has sought to protect the interests of the Southwest Detroit community with respect to bridge-related issues. We believe that the best way to protect the community is to promote vigorous and continuous dialogue between both DIBC and the promoters of DRIC and community residents. This dialogue should include:
o public hearings
o study and analysis of community impacts
o continuous dialogue between the community and the United States Coast Guard, the Michigan State Historic Preservation Office, the Michigan Department of Transportation, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, and the U.S. Federal Highway Administration.
In light of recent developments regarding bridge-related issues, Southwest Solutions:
1. Affirms our position that Southwest Solutions seeks to protect the best interests of residents and the small businesses that serve them in connection with both the current Gateway Project and any new international bridge project originating in our community;
2. Stresses that community protections in connection with such projects must be codified through legally enforceable agreements, such as Community Benefits Agreements, before any bridge plan is approved and before any bridge construction can begin;
3. Opposes any plan that fails to reduce bridge-related traffic volumes on surface streets in our community;
4. Will help ensure that community concerns are presented to appropriate governmental and regulatory bodies;
5. Seeks completion of full environmental impact studies and the sharing of results of those studies with the local community.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
CALL Cong Hoekstra on Tues. July 14th!
Help make our voices heard!
CALL CONGRESSMAN HOEKSTRA on TUESDAY, JULY 14th !
If you read down to the bottom of this email, you'll see some political grandstanding from U.S. Representative Peter Hoekstra, a Republican from Holland.
He issued a press release and sent a letter to Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) standing up for -- you guessed it -- the Ambassador Bridge Company and the illegal changes they made to the Gateway Project.
Hoekstra, who's running for Governor, apparently feels the need to pander to the business interests trying to run roughshod over our community. We need to make it known that these changes endanger our health by allowing bridge traffic into our neighborhoods.
By making this Tuesday, July 14th between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. CALL HOEKSTRA DAY we can ensure our voices are heard!
(202) 225-4401 (Washington D.C.)
And follow it up with an email at:
http://hoekstra.house.gov/Contact/ContactForm.htm
Phone Script:
Hello my name is _________ and I am calling to ask that Congressman Hoekstra help protect our human health and environment by advocating that the Ambassador Bridge Company comply with the original contractual agreement with MDOT. Congressman Hoekstra should support keeping trucks out of our neighborhoods as promised by the Gateway Project instead of questioning MDOT’s obligation and supporting the Ambassador Bridge Company’s illegal actions.
Hoekstra Raises Questions about Piles of Dirt on a Recently Constructed Section of I-75
Congressman Sends Letter to MDOT Requesting Answers to Several Questions
Washington, Jul 7 - U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R-Holland, today sent a letter to the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) questioning why it placed thousands of tons of dirt on a newly constructed service drive designed to provide a new I-75 freeway link leading to the Ambassador Bridge in Detroit.
"In light of the federal taxpayer dollars spent toward funding MDOT, and particularly considering the pending $80 billion transportation budget shortfalls, more information on this matter is necessary," Hoekstra wrote after visiting Detroit to examine border and transportation issues when the situation was brought to his attention.
"If the freeway link is ready, just open it," Hoekstra said. "It will save truckers and Detroit motorists time, money and fuel."
Hoekstra posed several questions to MDOT, including why the dirt was dumped on the site, how much it cost to dump it there and then move it, how much money will be spent on preparing or repairing the service drive for traffic and why a less intrusive barrier such as traffic barrels weren’t used.
"Michigan continues to struggle through a nearly decade-long recession," Hoekstra said. "Yet the state has now built a fence to protect turtles from oncoming traffic in Muskegon, remodeled a rest area along I-196 between Holland and Grand Rapids and is now piling and removing dirt on the I-75 freeway link to the Ambassador Bridge. We need to better allocate state resources and reform how Lansing prioritizes projects."
CALL CONGRESSMAN HOEKSTRA on TUESDAY, JULY 14th !
If you read down to the bottom of this email, you'll see some political grandstanding from U.S. Representative Peter Hoekstra, a Republican from Holland.
He issued a press release and sent a letter to Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) standing up for -- you guessed it -- the Ambassador Bridge Company and the illegal changes they made to the Gateway Project.
Hoekstra, who's running for Governor, apparently feels the need to pander to the business interests trying to run roughshod over our community. We need to make it known that these changes endanger our health by allowing bridge traffic into our neighborhoods.
By making this Tuesday, July 14th between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. CALL HOEKSTRA DAY we can ensure our voices are heard!
(202) 225-4401 (Washington D.C.)
And follow it up with an email at:
http://hoekstra.house.gov/Contact/ContactForm.htm
Phone Script:
Hello my name is _________ and I am calling to ask that Congressman Hoekstra help protect our human health and environment by advocating that the Ambassador Bridge Company comply with the original contractual agreement with MDOT. Congressman Hoekstra should support keeping trucks out of our neighborhoods as promised by the Gateway Project instead of questioning MDOT’s obligation and supporting the Ambassador Bridge Company’s illegal actions.
Hoekstra Raises Questions about Piles of Dirt on a Recently Constructed Section of I-75
Congressman Sends Letter to MDOT Requesting Answers to Several Questions
Washington, Jul 7 - U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R-Holland, today sent a letter to the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) questioning why it placed thousands of tons of dirt on a newly constructed service drive designed to provide a new I-75 freeway link leading to the Ambassador Bridge in Detroit.
"In light of the federal taxpayer dollars spent toward funding MDOT, and particularly considering the pending $80 billion transportation budget shortfalls, more information on this matter is necessary," Hoekstra wrote after visiting Detroit to examine border and transportation issues when the situation was brought to his attention.
"If the freeway link is ready, just open it," Hoekstra said. "It will save truckers and Detroit motorists time, money and fuel."
Hoekstra posed several questions to MDOT, including why the dirt was dumped on the site, how much it cost to dump it there and then move it, how much money will be spent on preparing or repairing the service drive for traffic and why a less intrusive barrier such as traffic barrels weren’t used.
"Michigan continues to struggle through a nearly decade-long recession," Hoekstra said. "Yet the state has now built a fence to protect turtles from oncoming traffic in Muskegon, remodeled a rest area along I-196 between Holland and Grand Rapids and is now piling and removing dirt on the I-75 freeway link to the Ambassador Bridge. We need to better allocate state resources and reform how Lansing prioritizes projects."
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
U-M, EPA to study Detroit air pollution
WASHINGTON – The University of Michigan and the federal Environmental Protection Agency will study the effects of air pollution from traffic on children in Detroit.
The agency made the announcement this morning, committing $1.4 million to the joint study with U-M.
Researchers plan to look into the effects of pollutants common near roadways, studying how people are exposed to them, the extent of exposure and the types and severity of health effects. Specifically, the EPA and U-M will study traffic-associated pollution in Detroit and whether it could lead to more severe asthma attacks in children ages 6 to 14 and whether traffic exposure increases the likelihood of respiratory infections.
According to the EPA, more than 45 million people in the U.S. live within 300 feet of a four-lane road, airport or railroad.
“The knowledge gained from this study will arm local governments with the best available science when planning some of their most important projects, such as road and school design,” said Lek Kadeli, acting assistant administrator for the EPA’s Office of Research and Development. “This information will help build safer communities for our children.”
In a recently released report on fitness by the American College of Sports Medicine, Detroit was found to have an asthma rate of 10.2% — higher than the national average.
The EPA says it plans to work with a group of 105 Detroit children suffering from persistent asthma and recruited on the basis of the proximity of their residence to different types of roadways.
http://www.freep.com/article/20090707/NEWS15/90707033/1008/NEWS06
The agency made the announcement this morning, committing $1.4 million to the joint study with U-M.
Researchers plan to look into the effects of pollutants common near roadways, studying how people are exposed to them, the extent of exposure and the types and severity of health effects. Specifically, the EPA and U-M will study traffic-associated pollution in Detroit and whether it could lead to more severe asthma attacks in children ages 6 to 14 and whether traffic exposure increases the likelihood of respiratory infections.
According to the EPA, more than 45 million people in the U.S. live within 300 feet of a four-lane road, airport or railroad.
“The knowledge gained from this study will arm local governments with the best available science when planning some of their most important projects, such as road and school design,” said Lek Kadeli, acting assistant administrator for the EPA’s Office of Research and Development. “This information will help build safer communities for our children.”
In a recently released report on fitness by the American College of Sports Medicine, Detroit was found to have an asthma rate of 10.2% — higher than the national average.
The EPA says it plans to work with a group of 105 Detroit children suffering from persistent asthma and recruited on the basis of the proximity of their residence to different types of roadways.
http://www.freep.com/article/20090707/NEWS15/90707033/1008/NEWS06
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