Cal State Fullerton Connects Between Deadly Pollution and Car Culture

It’s certainly not a surprise that cars cause pollution.  But, as our elected leaders in Washington debate a $25 billion bailout of the American oil industry, it’s worth revisiting the cost of car culture locally.

Researchers at Cal State Fullerton estimate that the cost of air pollution in California, pollution primarily caused by cars, trucks and other heavy machines, cost Californians $28 billion ever year.  Much of this astronomic value comes from lost work time, hospital vists and even the 3,000 deaths that are caused because of health complications that exist because of unclean air.

The Times reports that the Cal-State Fullerton study has broader implications than upcoming ballot votes by Congress:

The California Air Resources Board is scheduled to vote Dec. 11 on
whether to adopt broader rules that would force more than 1 million
heavy-duty diesel truckers to install filters or upgrade their engines.
Truckers and agribusiness have argued against stricter regulation,
saying it is too expensive for them to invest in clean vehicles at a
time of economic uncertainty.

No matter how you look at it, there is a high cost to continuing our dependence on the automobile.  If Congress really feels the need to invest in infrastructure, perhaps they can think of ways to do so that are less costly to all of us that have to breathe the unpure air that $25 billion buys us.

ALSO ON STREETSBLOG

Homeowners Rail Against 405 Expansion

By Damien Newton |
A bi-partisan collection of officials celebrate the destruction of air quality around Encino The Daily News printed a rare opinion piece yesterday that dared challenge the orthodoxy that adding lane capacity to the 405 is somehow going to improve quality of life for the people living near the widening area in Encino.  The I-405 widening […]

Daily Breeze Joins the Anti-Feuer Editorial Movement

By Damien Newton |
This Has Nothing to Do with Global Warming Slightly closer to home than San Bernadino, the Daily Breeze also seems offended that Assemblyman Mike Feuer would make a link between global warming, air pollution and congestion and that he would actually try to do something about it. Here’s a novel way to combat global warming: Get […]

Media Bashes 710 Alternatives…the Transit Ones Anyway

By Damien Newton |
Last week, Caltrans and Metro released the long-awaited draft environmental impact report for options to improve transportation near where the I-710 ends, 4.5 miles south of the I-210. As usual, the discussion around the document depends on whether or not one thinks it’s a good idea to dig a five-mile tunnel 150 feet underground to […]
Does anyone outside of Caltrans still think that widening freeways will reduce pollution and minimize congestion? Image: screen capture from Caltrans video

Another Caltrans Lie: Video Claims Widening 5 Freeway Reduces Pollution, Congestion

By Joe Linton |
It is jarring that nearly two decades into the twenty-first century, California’s transportation department is still making claims that freeway widening will somehow curb pollution and reduce congestion. These are false claims–lies. Past experience and research show that widening freeways worsens congestion and air quality, yet Caltrans repeatedly claims the contrary. In a new video […]