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Issues: Health

Driving on Fumes
Truck Drivers Face Elevated Health Risks from Diesel Pollution

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)

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Executive Summary
Chapter 1: The Negative Health Effects of Diesel Pollution
Chapter 2: Investigating Drivers' Exposure to Pollution Inside the Truck Cab
Chapter 3: Cleaning Up the Fleet
Chapter 4: Conclusions and Recommendations
Afterword
Endnotes
Appendix