Global Trade Comes Home: Health and Community Impacts of Port and Goods Movement Activities

Background: The Southern California Environmental Health Sciences Center sponsored three town meetings from 2001 – 2007 on impacts of expanding international trade. The Ports of L.A. and Long Beach (and related freight activities) create disproportionate exposures and health impacts for nearby residents. The work of the Center and other studies have shown that there are increased risks of exposure to air pollution and negative respiratory, cardiovascular and reproductive health outcomes for residents who live near ports and related freight activities such as diesel truck traffic on busy freeways.

Methods: Our outreach program gathers “local knowledge” from residents about goods movement concerns and used the information in developing the Center's scientific research agenda. The program uses research findings on air pollution's health effects to educate the public and inform public policy, including speaking to planning authorities, testifying at hearings, and serving as appointees to key policy committees. We partner with community-based and environmental justice organizations to increase capacity to address port-related health impacts.

Results: Research findings from our Center are utilized in development of public policies, such as (1) establishing buffer zones for new schools near freeways and (2) development of emissions reduction plans for ports and goods movement. Collaborative efforts have resulted in a 3-year foundation grant.

Conclusions: Having a university research program listen to, and partner with, community partners can enhance the capacity of both partners to impact public policy and reduce the health impacts from ports and freight transport.