Trade and transportation: Impact on environmental public health

The changing conditions of global trade and transportation have raised important challenges for public health. From problems and recalls with melamine-tainted pet food to children's toys to raw and processed food, there is concern about ensuring the safety of products shipped to this country. In addition, there are community-level health and environmental impacts, including added air pollution associated with increases in goods movement. Projected increases in trade, along with planned expansion of highways, rail facilities, and ports to handle imports, raise concern about air quality and other environmental impacts. As ports and goods movement expands, a major challenge is how to integrate health and environmental considerations more fully in policy discussions and decisions. This presentation will present an overview and specific examples of current and potential environmental public health effects related to growing global trade and transportation, as well as possible strategies to prevent or reduce adverse environmental and health outcomes.