Traffic-related air pollution in the community of San Ysidro, CA, in relation to northbound vehicle wait times at the US–Mexico border Port of Entry

Quintana, Penelope J.E.; Dumbauld, Jill J.; Garnica, Lynelle; Chowdhury, Mallika; Velascosoltero, José; Mota-Raigoza, Arturo; Flores, David; Rodríguez, Edgar; Panagon, Nicolas; Gamble, Jamison G.; Irby, Travis L.; Tran, Cuong Dinh; Elder, John P.; Galaviz, Vanessa E; Hoffman, Lisa; Zavala, M.; Molina, Luisa T.

doi:10.1016/j.atmosenv.2014.01.009

Cited by 18 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…possible that there exists a slight underestimation of the smaller sized ultrafine particles due to the limitation of OPS measurement that induces less variation from vehicle emission contributions. BC and UFP had similar COV values due to their common sources from vehicle emissions, especially diesel fuelled vehicles (Quintana et al 2014), as is also seen in the strong correlation (R=0.95) between their average concentrations in different microenvironments (Data not shown). Variation of BC and UFP concentrations in urban atmosphere has been reported by studies on ambient environments (Moore et al 2009, Wang, Hopke and Utell 2011).…”

supporting

confidence: 53%

“…This observation suggests pollutants from traffic penetrate into the bus cabins during travel. BC and UFP are tracers for diesel exhaust emissions (Quintana et al 2014), so their higher concentrations in diesel buses may be due to the self-pollution of diesel engine emissions (Rim et al 2008) or because nearby vehicles emit these pollutants. Bus age, type and the position of the ventilation inlet are important variables affecting the degree of self-pollution (Behrentz et al 2004, Sabin et al 2005.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Heterogeneity of passenger exposure to air pollutants in public transport microenvironments

Yang

Kaul

Wong

et al. 2015

Atmospheric Environment

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Epidemiologic studies have linked human exposure to pollutants with adverse health effects. Passenger exposure in public transport systems contributes an important fraction of daily burden of air pollutants. While there is extensive literature reporting the concentrations of pollutants in public transport systems in different cities, there are few studies systematically addressing the heterogeneity of passenger exposure in different transit microenvironments, in cabins of different transit vehicles and in areas with different characteristics. The present study investigated PM 2.5 (particulate matter with aerodynamic diameters smaller than 2.5µm), black carbon (BC), ultrafine particles (UFP) and carbon monoxide (CO) pollutant concentrations in various public road transport systems in highly urbanized city of Hong Kong. Using a trolley case housing numerous portable air monitors, we conducted a total of 119 trips during the campaign. Transit microenvironments, classified as 1). busy and secondary roadside bus stops; 2). open and enclosed termini; 3). above-and underground Motor Rail Transport (MTR) platforms, were investigated and compared to identify the factors that may affect passenger exposures. The pollutants inside bus and MTR cabins were also investigated together with a comparison of time integrated exposure between the transit modes. Busy roadside and enclosed termini demonstrated the highest average particle concentrations while the lowest was found on the MTR platforms. Traffic-related pollutants BC, UFP and CO showed larger variations than PM 2.5 across different microenvironments and areas confirming their heterogeneity in urban environments. In-cabin pollutant concentrations showed distinct patterns with BC and UFP high in diesel bus cabins and CO high in LPG bus cabins, suggesting possible self-pollution issues and/or penetration of onroad pollutants inside cabins during bus transit. The total passenger exposure along selected routes, showed bus trips had the potential for higher integrated passenger exposure compared to MTR trips. The present study may provide useful information to better characterize the distribution of passenger exposure pattern in health assessment studies and the results also highlight the need to formulate exposure reduction based air policies in large cities.

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supporting

confidence: 53%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Heterogeneity of passenger exposure to air pollutants in public transport microenvironments

Yang

Kaul

Wong

et al. 2015

Atmospheric Environment

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“…During the first week of the fire, we detected concentrations of PM 2.5 , BC and UFPs in Jacinto City that were 37%, 45%, and 100% greater than in Deer Park, respectively. Given that the prevailing wind direction was from the southeast, higher concentrations were expected in the downwind location [15][16][17]. Further, seven days after the fire was extinguished, concentrations of most air pollutants significantly decreased by about 33% to 50% in both locations.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

The Intercontinental Terminals Chemical Fire Study: A Rapid Response to an Industrial Disaster to Address Resident Concerns in Deer Park, Texas

Han

McCurdy

et al. 2020

IJERPH

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On Sunday, 17 March 2019, a fire erupted at the Intercontinental Terminals Company (ITC, Deer Park, La Porte, TX, USA), resulting in a large fire that blazed for several days. In response, we rapidly launched disaster response activities to monitor air pollutants (total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs), fine particulate matter (PM2.5), black carbon (BC), and ultra-fine particles (UFPs) during the fire in two affected communities. To assess immediate health effects and residential air quality, we also rapidly launched a pilot study, the Deer Park Chemical Fire (DeeP Fire) Study, in which we administered health surveys and installed samplers to monitor air quality outdoors of resident homes for up to six weeks. In both communities, mean ambient concentrations of PM2.5, BC and TVOCs were higher during the first week of the fire than a week after it was extinguished. Thirteen residents participated in the DeeP Fire Study. Most residents reported experiencing respiratory symptoms and some reported being bothered by at least one post-traumatic stress disorder symptom during the fire and two weeks afterwards. In the months following the fire, the 7-day mean ambient concentration of benzene from 12 homes was 0.13 ± 0.10 parts per billion (ppb) and the 6-week mean ambient concentrations of PM2.5 and TVOCs were 13 ± 6 µg/m3 and 108 ± 98 ppb, respectively. All residents requested and received individualized air monitoring reports. Surveillance systems that enable real-time monitoring of the environmental health impact during a major industrial incident are needed to provide timely information to adequately respond to a disaster in the future.

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“…Due to its close proximity to the San Ysidro POE and the amount of idling vehicles waiting to cross the border, the community of San Ysidro is concerned about the potential health effects the air pollutants may cause. These adverse effects are a top concern of local environmental justice community groups (Quintana et al 2014). As aforementioned, being in close proximity to heavy traffic is linked to negative health outcomes, such as asthma, reduced respiratory function, birth defects, and cardiovascular disease.…”

Section: Communities In San Diegomentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As aforementioned, being in close proximity to heavy traffic is linked to negative health outcomes, such as asthma, reduced respiratory function, birth defects, and cardiovascular disease. People who live, work, attend school, or pass through areas with high traffic density are exposed to high levels of traffic-related pollutants (Quintana et al 2014). Thus, for the people who live in San Ysidro, just a mile or two away from the POE, they are constantly exposed to these hazards.…”

Section: Communities In San Diegomentioning

confidence: 99%

Environmental Health and Policy at the Tijuana-San Diego Border

Honkanen¹

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Immigration at the U.S.-Mexico border, walls and security, and drug trafficking, are among the most deliberated policy issues in the U.S.'s political climate. As a result, policies and international cooperation concerning environmental health impacts at the border are often overlooked, particularly in the Tijuana-San Diego border region. These impacts include contamination and overuse of water by maquiladoras, air pollution from concentrated border transit and power plants, and the heightening threat of global warming. However, as climate change worsens and immigration problems grow, this wide range of environmental hazards demand ambitious policy considerations, especially in the Tijuana-San Diego border region. In this project, I analyze environmental health and environmental justice at the Tijuana-San Diego border. I specifically focus on air and water quality and their subsequent health impacts for populations in this region. These populations include permanent residents on both sides of the border, commuters, and groups of migrants forced to stay in temporary camps awaiting asylum processes. I provide an analysis of air and water pollution and the extent to which they cause health problems, as well as how these uniquely affect an increased concentration of migrants during the Trump era. My thesis offers insight on areas for policy improvement and cross-border solutions that encourage and maintain an environmentally just region for all populations.

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Traffic-related air pollution in the community of San Ysidro, CA, in relation to northbound vehicle wait times at the US–Mexico border Port of Entry

Cited by 18 publications

References 25 publications

Heterogeneity of passenger exposure to air pollutants in public transport microenvironments

Heterogeneity of passenger exposure to air pollutants in public transport microenvironments

The Intercontinental Terminals Chemical Fire Study: A Rapid Response to an Industrial Disaster to Address Resident Concerns in Deer Park, Texas

Environmental Health and Policy at the Tijuana-San Diego Border

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