Employed

Per Capita Income

Above Poverty

Economic

Preschool Enrollment

Bachelor's Education

High School Enrollment

Education

Voting

Census Response

Social

Automobile Access

Active Commuting

Transportation

Insured Adults

Healthcare Access

Retail Density

Park Access

Tree Canopy

Neighborhood

Severely Cost Burdened Low-Income Renters

Severely Cost Burdened Low-Income Homeowners

Housing Habitability

Uncrowded Housing

Homeownership

Housing

Ozone

Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5)

Diesel Particulate Matter

Safe Drinking Water

Clean Environment

Extreme Heat

Impervious Surfaces

Outdoor Workers

Public Transit Access

Sea Level Rise

Two Parent Households

Alcohol Availability

Supermarket Access

Decision Support

Everyone should be able to live in neighborhoods where it is safe to breathe. Since diesel particulate matter is so small, it can reach deep into people’s lungs. This can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality. It can also cause adverse respiratory outcomes such as chronic obstructive lung disease, asthma, altered pulmonary function, and other symptoms. In California, the Air Resources Board estimates that approximately 3,500 deaths each year can be attributed to diesel PM exposure.

 Diesel PM is especially dangerous for children, exacerbating pulmonary inflammation and other risks. Evidence that links diesel PM to low birth weight and infant mortality is growing.

Diesel particulate matter (PM) consists of very small particles that are formed from diesel burning engines. This indicator measures the average daily amount of particulate pollution from diesel sources for the month of July.

David Gorn, “More Pollution Than Cars? Gas-Powered Gardening Equipment Poses the Next Air Quality Threat,” KQED, February 13, 2017, https://ww2.kqed.org/news/2017/02/13/more-pollution-than-cars-gas-powered-gardening-equipment-poses-the-next-air-quality-threat/.

K Ebi and J Semenza, “Community-Based Adaptation to the Health Impacts of Climate Change,” American Journal of Preventive Medicine 35, no. 5 (2008): 501–7.

Bay Area Regional Health Inequities Initiative, “Social Determinants of Health Indicator Guide,” 2015, http://barhii.org/resources/sdoh-indicator-guide/.

To address high levels of diesel particulate matter, jurisdictions should prioritize strategies to reduce emission levels, while also helping to protect residents from current pollution.

While diesel engines are used in a variety of applications, they are especially concentrated in freight such as ports, trucking, and railways. Throughout California, low-income communities and communities are disproportionately exposed to the emissions from freight facilities. Local jurisdictions working to address the health impacts of diesel pollution should carefully assess the distribution of freight pollution by race, income, immigration status, neighborhood and other factors, and take strong and proactive steps to counter inequities.

While local jurisdictions do not have regulatory authority over most stationary sources and tail pipe (mobile source) emissions, there are many actions local jurisdictions can take to reduce pollution. They can incentivize or require 

Low-Emission Vehicles and Freight Facilities

 in many situations. They can also work with their local Air Quality Management District to 

, like construction, homes, and other stationary sources.

In addition to reducing pollution, it is essential to find ways to protect residents from existing diesel particulate matter sources and other emissions. Jurisdictions can 

 sources by using planning tools to ensure that new residential development and schools are not adjacent to these sources, and to encourage ending existing incompatible land uses. Where pollution and people must co-exist, jurisdictions can 

 by encouraging healthy design standards and accurate information collection and response to existing risks. Finally, jurisdictions can 

 and partner with communities to address air quality issues.

For all strategies, jurisdictions should direct and prioritize efforts for places already overburdened by air pollution, and work to address existing inequities in health. In addition to relieving existing burdens, jurisdictions should identify opportunities to maximize additional health or quality of life benefits that can be achieved in addition to decreased pollution. For instance, 

 can improve indoor air quality, reduce asthma triggers, provide job training opportunities, and save residents money. Local governments should prioritize interventions that minimize risk in vulnerable communities, while maximizing benefits that meet community needs.

Reduce emissions from construction, homes, and other stationary sources.

Strong Evidence

Tobacco Taxes

Comprehensive Tobacco Control Programs

Climate

Promising

Construction Best Management Practices

Equity

Emerging

Other Stationary Source Reduction Measures

Lawn and Garden Equipment Exchange and Incentive Programs

Use planning tools to ensure that new homes and schools are not adjacent to pollution sources, and work to separate existing incompatible land uses.

Sufficient Evidence

Health Protective Buffers

Zoning

Reduce diesel pollution at its source by using cleaner freight technology and practices.

Truck Routes and Idling Restrictions

Zero or Near-Zero-Emission Vehicles

Cleaner Freight Systems

Retrofit Diesel Generators

Where pollution and people must co-exist, encourage healthy design standards and accurate information collection and response to existing risks.

Policy Guide

Diesel Particulate Matter

References