Draft MTP/SCS Comments Received - sacog

METRIC: ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
d. Working with a local public health department, university and/or air quality
management district: Estimate pre-mature mortality attributed to traffic-related ambient
PM 2.5, and estimate asthma incidence and asthma exacerbations attributed to traffic
related NO2.
EVIDENCE BASE
Health Impacts
Epidemiologic studies have consistently found that proximity to high traffic density or flow results in
reduced lung function and increased asthma hospitalizations, asthma symptoms, bronchitis
symptoms, and medical visits. ccxi Children appear to be the most sensitive to adverse effects.
California freeway studies show exposure levels approach background levels after a distance of 500
feet from a freeway. ccxii Specific epidemiologic research findings include:
Reduced lung function in children associated with traffic density, especially trucks, within 1,000
feet and the association was strongest within 300 feet. ccxiii
Increased asthma hospitalizations associated with living within 650 feet of heavy traffic and
heavy truck volume. ccxiv
Increased asthma symptoms with proximity to roadways, with the greatest risk within 300
feet. ccxv
Asthma and bronchitis symptoms in children associated with high traffic in a San Francisco Bay
Area community with good overall regional air quality. ccxvi
Increased medical visits in children living within 550 feet of heavy traffic in San Diego. ccxvii
In a prospective study of 3399 participants in Germany, living within 150m of major roads is
associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease over time even after adjusting for
individual risk factors and background air pollution. ccxviii
Living in close proximity to busy roadways
Children living in close proximity to busy roadways have been found to suffer from increased
respiratory disease symptoms and asthma, and reduced lung function. ccxix ccxx ccxxi ccxxii ccxxiii ccxxiv ccxxv
ccxxvi ccxxvii ccxxviii Studies also show higher rates of cardiovascular and respiratory disease among adults
living near freeways, particularly for those living within 75 - 650 feet of heavy traffic and heavy truck
volume. ccxxix ccxxx ccxxxi ccxxxii ccxxxiii Long-term exposure to traffic-related air pollution is associated with
an increased risk of lung cancer, ccxxxiv and diabetics exposed to air pollution have an increased risk for
heart disease. ccxxxv ccxxxvi Additionally, living in areas with high levels of air pollution is a disincentive
to exercise, ccxxxvii and exercise reduces risks for heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, and stress-related
anxiety and depression. ccxxxviii CARB recommends not locating sensitive land uses within 500 feet of a
highway that has traffic in excess of 100,000 vehicles per day. ccxxxix
PM 2.5 and health outcomes
Motor vehicle emissions, power plants, and refineries are the predominant sources of fine particulate
air pollution (PM2.5). Several large-scale studies demonstrate that increased exposure to PM2.5 is
associated with detrimental cardiovascular outcomes, including increased risk of death from ischemic
heart disease, higher blood pressure, and coronary artery calcification. ccxl ccxli ccxlii
Research in some locations based on measurements of fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) has found
that a significant share of spatial intra-urban air pollution variation in ambient levels of PM 2.5 is due
to local traffic sources, ccxliii and that traffic density explains variation in local and regional PM 2.5
concentrations. ccxliv ccxlv Individual epidemiological studies have linked roadway proximity or vehicle
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