HEALTH EFFECTS OF AIR POLLUTION IN SOUTHERN

CALIFORNIA

Rob McConnell Professor of Preventive Medicine

Keck School of Medicine University of Southern California (USC)

September 18, 2012

QUESTIONS FOR TRANSPORTATION PLANNERS What is the health impact of increases in regulated regional pollutants due to traffic related pollution? What is the health impact of increases in local traffic-related pollutants which are not currently regulated?

Children’s Health Study Communities

Overview of the Health Effects of Regional Air Pollution

USC Children’s Health Study found: – DECREASED LUNG FUNCTION in children in

communities with high levels of air pollution (NO2 and particles) (Gauderman, et al, N Engl J Med 2004;351:1057-67)

– INCREASED SCHOOL ABSENCES FROM RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS – and substantial economic costs – when ozone air pollution is high (Gilliland, et al. Epidemiology 2001;12:43-54; Hall, et al. Contemporary Economic Policy 2003;21:407-417)

Overview of the Health Effects of Regional Air Pollution

USC Children’s Health Study found: – DEVELOPMENT OF NEW ONSET ASTHMA linked

to multiple team sports in high ozone communities (McConnell, et al. Lancet 2002;359; Islam, et al. Thorax 2009;64:197-202)

– MORE ACTIVE ASTHMA/BRONCHITIS in children living in high particle communities (McConnell, et al. Environ Health Perspect 1999; AJRCCM 2003; EHP 2006)

Abnormally Low Lung Function is 5 Times More Likely in a High PM Community

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Gauderman, et al, N Engl J Med 2004;351:1057-67

Why Worry About Low Lung Function?

In adults, increases risk of – Heart disease – Respiratory disease – Mortality

Various USC and other studies of adults show: – INCREASED DEATH FROM HEART

ATTACKS AND STROKE when levels of particle pollution rise

(Pope CA, 3rd, Dockery DW. Health effects of fine particulate air pollution: lines that connect. J Air Waste Manag Assoc 2006;56(6):709-42)

– HIGHER CARDIOVASCULAR AND RESPIRATORY MORTALITY in cities with higher particle pollution

(Jerrett M, Burnett RT, Ma R, et al. Spatial analysis of air pollution and mortality in Los Angeles. Epidemiology 2005;16(6):727-36)

– THICKER ARTERIES in southern Californians living in areas with higher particle pollution

(Kunzli N, Jerrett M, Mack WJ, et al. Ambient air pollution and atherosclerosis in Los Angeles. Environ Health Perspect 2005;113(2):201-6)

– MORE LUNG CANCER in areas with more particle pollution and in workers exposed to diesel exhaust (Pope, et. Al. JAMA 2002;287(9):1132-41

QUESTIONS FOR TRANSPORTATION PLANNERS What is the health impact of increases in regulated regional pollutants due to traffic related pollution? What is the health impact of increases in local traffic-related pollutants which are not currently regulated?

HEALTH IMPACTS AT SCHOOLS AND HOMES NEAR BUSY FREEWAYS

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Genetically susceptible children had 900% increase in frequency (lifetime prevalence) of asthma

There is more asthma in children living within 150 meters of a major road…

Air Quality is Worse Near a Freeway

(Zhu et al., 2002, 2006)

Other pollutants are also high near freeway (e.g. NO2, benzene,…)

POPULATION BURDEN OF ASTHMA

Near-roadway exposure not considered in usual approaches. Childhood asthma cases attributable to near-roadway exposure: – Riverside 690 cases (6%) and Long Beach

1600 cases (9%) Perez, et. al. AJPH 2009; 99:S622-8

Summary Nearby Traffic Effects Studies in U.S. and in Europe show that – LIVING NEAR BUSY ROADS AND FREEWAYS – ESPECIALLY

WITH LOTS OF TRUCK TRAFFIC – HAS BEEN LINKED TO: Asthma Heart attack (and other heart disease) Decreased lung function Lung cancer Low birth weight and preterm birth Cardiopulmonary mortality (deaths related to the heart or lungs) – shortened life expectancy ?neurodevelopment including childhood IQ, autism; obesity

There is increasing health science justification for regulating exposures within at least 500 feet of roadways with heavy traffic

Regulators are beginning to respond…

California law does not allow the construction of a new school within 500 feet of a freeway – But there is no regulation restricting

construction of busy roadways near schools or parks

RELEVANCE TO 710 FREEWAY EXPANSION

Why? -- Growth of Ports

Today: 42,000 truck trips a day (at Del Amo Blvd) 2035: 93,400 truck trips a day* – *Source: DEIR, 710 by

Caltrans , 2012

QUESTIONS FOR 710 PLANNERS

What will be the health impact of increases in regulated “regional pollutants” at the entrance and exit to tunnel? – Provision for monitoring?

What will be the health impact of increased local traffic proximity-related pollutants which are not currently regulated? – Especially ultrafine particles and diesel exhaust

The best evidence available indicates that these exposures will cause disease

QUESTIONS FOR 710 PLANNERS

What exposures will occur during construction and what are their health effects? What will be the exposures to drivers? Will the ventilation blow exhaust out the “portals” (exits) or will there be additional ventilation stacks? Will there be air filtration? – Most tunnels don’t

What evidence is there that filtration is effective and will be maintained over the life of the tunnel? – Again, especially for ultrafine particles and diesel exhaust

“Big Dig” (Boston) Ventilation Building