Particulate Matter and Health in Houston

1
Particulate Matter and Health in Houston

• Ramón Alvarez, Ph.D.
• Environmental Defense
• November 10, 2004

2
Overview

• Key Health Issues
• Implications for the Houston region
• Opportunities for progress

3
Particulate air pollution and health

• A study of 20 US cities associated PM10 with
  death from cardiovascular and respiratory
  illnesses (Samet et al., N Engl J Med. 2000)
• 10 µg/m3 elevation in fine particulate matter
  associated with 8 increased risk of lung cancer
  mortality (Pope et al., JAMA 2002)

4
Particulates and Asthma

• Asthma attacks clearly linked to air pollution
  one of few known environmental triggers we can
  control
• Afflicts 25 million Americans
• 11 million visits to doctors office
• 14 million missed school days
• 1.8 million E.R. visits
• 5,000 deaths
• Estimated economic burden 14 billion

5
Diesel and Particulates

• Diesel is an important source of urban fine
  particles
• Diesel emissions are a toxic soup
• Fine particles
• Nitrogen oxides - ozone smog ingredient
• Over 30 other chemicals
• Benzene
• 1,3 butadiene
• PAHs

6
Air pollution from transportation increases
cancer risks

• Diesel exhaust is major source of added cancer
  risk from toxic air pollutants
• Nationwide, diesel emissions contribute 78 of
  added cancer risk
• MATES-II study
• Cancer risk from air toxics 1.4 in 1000
• 90 of risk from mobile sources 70 from diesel

Multiple Air Toxics Exposures Study II (S. CA
Air Mgmt. District)
7
Living near a busy road is bad for your lungs

• Many studies of childrens respiratory health and
  traffic-related air pollution
• Most show effect on symptoms, infections, asthma
• Several specific to heavy traffic, trucks
• Recent study of US veterans (Epidemiology, 11/03)
• Increased persistent wheeze (70 higher risk)
  within 50m of busy road

8
The 1997 PM2.5 Standard

Higher levels were recorded at monitors with
incomplete data, though still in compliance
with the standard
9
Does this mean Houstonians can breathe easy since
monitored PM levels are below the EPA standard?
10
Does this mean Houstonians can breathe easy
since monitored PM levels are below the EPA
standard?

• No for at least two reasons
• Science shows health problems occur at pollution
  levels well below current PM standard
• EPA reviewing adequacy of standard
• Hot spots with elevated exposures
• School buses
• Major transportation corridors

11
DRAFT Ranges For Revised PM2.5 Standard

Higher levels were recorded at monitors with
incomplete data, though still in compliance with
the standard OAQPS Staff Paper, First Draft,
August 2003
12
EPAs PM2.5 Review Process

• Clean Air Act requires review every 5 years
• Current review is behind schedule
• Now December 2005 under terms of consent decree
• Steps
• Criteria Document (synthesis of science)
  finalized in October 2004
• Update Aug. 2003 draft of Staff Paper (policy
  recommendations based on assessment of scientific
  information in CD)
• Risk Assessment
• Publication of proposed revision to National
  Ambient Air Quality Standard in Federal Register
• Promulgation of final NAAQS

13
School Buses Are Hot Spots for PM Exposure

• PM10 levels inside a bus can be 5-10 times the
  ambient levels (Environment and Human Health,
  Inc.)

14
EPA proposal will cut power plant emissions of
SO2 and NOx
SO2 Emissions
15
But leaves additional cost-effective reductions
on the table
3,000
130,000
50,000
16
(No Transcript)
17
Proposed Power Plant Standards Do Not Measure Up
to Other Sectors
18
Reducing Diesel Truck Idling
19
Reducing Transportation Emissions

• Demand-side
• Pay-as-you-drive car insurance premiums priced
  by the mile
• Parking cash-out
• Transit Benefits
• Supply-side
• Increase pedestrian, bike and
  transit options
• Smart growth

20
Delivering Cleaner Air with FedEx

• Diesel-electric hybrid delivery vehicle
• 75-90 lower emissions
• 50 more fuel efficient
• Carries same amount of packages
• Improves lifetime cost

21
References

• EPAs PM2.5 Criteria Document www.epa.gov/ncea
• EPAs Proposed Clean Air Interstate Rule
  www.epa.gov/interstateairquality
• Environmental Defenses Report on Stronger Power
  Plant Standards www.environmentaldefense.org/go/b
  lowigsmoke
• American Lung Associations website on EPAs
  NAAQS review process www.cleanairstandards.org
• EHHI Report Chidrens Exposure to Diesel Exhaust
  on School Buses www.ehhi.org/reports/diesel