Dec 18, 2007

Truck Drivers Face Elevated Health - Report Posted for Rob

Posted for "Rob" my friend and transit driver...
Diesel Exhaust Poses Health Threat to Port Truck Drivers
 
OAKLAND (December 4, 2007) – California port truck drivers face increased health risks from breathing dangerous levels of diesel exhaust fumes inside their truck cabs, according to a new report released today. The report was released just days before regulators are scheduled to consider requiring a clean up of the fleet of heavy duty trucks that transport cargo to and from the state's busy ports. The report's authors say their study shows the need to overhaul the fleet, reduce waiting times at terminals and limit pollution from other port sources.    
 
Entitled "Driving on Fumes: Truck Drivers Face Elevated Health Risks from Diesel Pollution," the report prepared by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and the Coalition for Clean & Safe Ports, details the health risks of truck drivers who haul containers in and out of the Port of Oakland. The report revealed that the amount of diesel particulate matter found inside the truck cabs was double the level considered acceptable by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and up to 2,000 times greater than the level typically considered acceptable by state and federal environmental protection agencies.
 
Drivers are often forced to idle for hours in long lines, causing them lengthened exposure to old polluting trucks, as well as other polluting sources at the port, such as cargo equipment and ships carrying freight...
 


Truck Drivers Face Elevated Health Risks from Diesel Pollution - Health Report

Diesel pollution is well known to be hazardous to human health. Groups at particular risk include workers in diesel industries, such as trucking and rail, and communities located near major sources of diesel pollution, such as ports and freeways. This December 2007 issue paper summarizes the alarming findings of one of the first investigations to measure drivers' exposure levels to diesel soot inside trucks serving our nation's ports. The issue paper also provides a set of recommendations for reducing health risks to drivers and local residents, including the immediate clean up of the port truck fleet, an increase in operational efficiency to reduce the time trucks spend at the terminals and a reduction in pollution levels from other port sources.

WATCH THE VIDEO
Workers discuss health concerns in the trucking industry.

OVERVIEW & QUICK REFERENCE
Press release
Fact Sheet (302 KM pdf)

FULL ISSUE PAPER IN PDF
Adobe Acrobat file (size: 835 KB)
Click here if you need a copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader (free)

Appendix

 

More Diesel Emission Information:

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