Diesel trucks: health risk and environmental equity

Includes bibliographical references (pages 71-75)This study examines the excess cancer risk (ECR) posed by cargo truck diesel particulate matter (DPM) in Los Angeles, California and whether or not related environmental inequities are occurring. While previous research has widely shown evidence of environmental injustices in Los Angeles, this study delves deeper into the issue of environmental inequity by specifically identifying pollution-related health risks. This study includes the use of USEPA???s AERMOD program to model ECR levels around major L.A. port-adjacent freeways. The modeled data is used in conjunction with 2010 U.S. Census data to perform an environmental equity analysis of race and median household income. Results show high levels of excess cancer risk, in some cases exceeding a level of 500 per million, with overall levels extending far into populated neighborhoods. This study does not show evidence of environmental inequity regarding median household income. However, some evidence of environmental inequity is apparent in regard to race, with white population decreasing in accordance with levels of ECR, and the opposite correlation apparent for minority races