February 22, 2005

Clean Air Task Force

People living in the Houston and Beaumont areas are among the most at risk of health problems caused by diesel soot, according to an important new study released today by the Clean Air Task Force.  Study

The study says that nationwide more than 20,000 Americans die prematurely each year from breathing deadly diesel fumes.

"This study demonstrates even more compelling reasons to respond forcefully to Houston's air pollution woes," said Jane Laping, executive director of Mothers for Clean Air.  "The report estimated 356 deaths per year due to just this one form of air pollution, as well as counting the many heart attacks, asthma attacks, cases of chronic bronchitis and other health consequences from breathing our terrible air pollution."

The study found the Houston area to have the fifteenth worst risk of death from diesel pollution for a metro area in the United States.  

"Not surprisingly, residents of urban areas are particularly vulnerable to the health impacts of diesel pollution and, as such, residents of the Gulf Coast region are among the most affected in the country," said a news release.  "In Beaumont, residents suffer the greatest cancer risk from diesel pollution for any metro area in the country with levels 865 times what the EPA considers to be acceptable. "

"The efforts being made by our environmental agencies are not yet up to the challenge," said John D. Wilson, executive director of the Galveston-Houston Association for Smog Prevention. "Affordable solutions exist today that can reduce diesel engine particulate emissions by 90 percent or more. GHASP advocates eliminating diesel idling at major truck stops and service centers by installing equipment to provide needed power to trucks." 

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