Calif. study links diesel fumes to deaths and high healthcare costs Diesel-burning cargo carriers such as ships, trains and trucks contribute to hundreds of deaths and billions of dollars in healthcare costs annually in California, according to a study released last week by state officials.
The California Air Resources Board said diesel fumes will result in about 750 deaths this year and cost $70 billion in healthcare costs over the next 15 years. "Californians who live near ports, rail yards and along high-traffic corridors are subsidizing the goods-movement sector with their health," the study said. The study is a component of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's (R) campaign to boost trade and reduce air pollution in the state by improving the ways in which cargo is transported. The plan would establish methods with which California could develop an expanded transportation network with increased speed while reducing air pollution from cargo-carrying ships, trucks and trains (*Greenwire<http://www.eenews.net/Greenwire/searcharchive/test_search-display.cgi?q=&file=%2FGreenwire%2Fsearcharchive%2FNewsline%2F2005%2FOctober31%2F10310515.htm> *, Oct. 31). In addition to evaluating the health risks currently associated with diesel emissions, the study sets out targets for cutting down on smog including reducing cargo-related pollution levels to 2001 levels in five years and cutting diesel-related health risks by 85 percent by 2020. Business leaders expressed concern that surmounting pollution could reduce international trade growth in the state if diesel emissions goals are not met. "Retailers, wholesalers and manufacturers have to believe that solving this problem is their responsibility," said Wally Baker, a senior vice president at the Los Angeles Economic Development Corp. "They can demand that their vendors get in a room and figure this out. They haven't, and that's wrong" (Deborah Schoch, *Los Angeles Times<http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-pollute3dec03,1,653115.story> *, Dec. 3).
