Emissions From Construction Equipment
Kill Thousands in California, Report Says

Diesel soot emissions from construction equipment used in California last year killed more than 1,100 people, according to a Union of Concerned Scientists report released recently.

The report concludes that the combined public health costs of the deaths, work absences and school absences caused by emissions from the equipment are $9.1 billion.

UCS vehicles engineer Don Anair said that about 70 percent of the heavy construction equipment responsible for the fumes is at least 29 years old and thus was put on the market at a time when emissions control regulations were not in place. The report said that if modified, older engines can cut their emissions by 90 percent (Bernie Woodall, Reuters, Dec. 5).

As study by Brigham Young University professor Arden Pope released recently and published in the journal Cardiology concluded that there is a sharply elevated risk of heart attacks for people with clogged arteries after just a day or two of exposure to diesel soot pollution.

The California Air Resources Board released a draft of new regulations for older construction equipment engines requiring all such devices to be replaced or retrofitted between 2009 and 2020 as part of an effort to reduce diesel particulate emissions in the state by 85 percent. Public workshops on the plan will be held this month and the board is expected to vote on the plan next spring (Janet Wilson, Los Angeles Times, Dec. 6).

Overall, the Los Angeles air basin had the most premature deaths from pollution exposure last year - 731 - from among 15 basins statewide.

The San Francisco Bay Area ranked second (Denis Cuff, Contra Costa Times, Dec. 6).

Click here to download a copy of the UCS report.