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Archived news stories on trade, environmental health, ports and goods movement May - July 2007 Archive
Added July 31, 2007: Local traffic count method sought. Two on the council want L.A. planners to find more accurate ways to predict the effect of a raft of new building projects on roadways. Los Angeles Times, California. 31 July 2007.
Added July 30, 2007: Congress approves rail cargo measure. Freight trains carrying hazardous chemicals could be required to avoid downtown Washington and other densely populated areas in favor of more rural routes, under a Homeland Security bill that Congress passed Friday night. Washington Post [Registration Required] http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/28/AR2007072801229.html
S.F. port sets sail on Pier 70 revitalization plan. The Examiner, California. 30 July 2007.
China steps up defense of its products' safety. After years of being accused by the West of making only token gestures to fight fake goods, and months of complaints about the safety of its exports, China is taking extraordinary steps to change its image. International Herald Tribune http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/07/27/business/safety.php
Port of Tacoma to build $300 million container terminal for NYK. The Examiner, California. 26 July 2007.
Added July 27, 2007: Air board cracks down on diesel. California's diesel-powered bulldozers and other heavy construction equipment must be retrofitted or replaced over the next 13 years to reduce air pollution that sickens tens of thousands every year, state regulators decided. Under tough new rules adopted by the Air Resources Board, California is the first state to make construction companies fix existing diesel-powered machines. Los Angeles Times, California. [Registration Required] http://www.latimes.com/news/science/environment/la-me-diesel27jul27,1,3219628.story
Added July 26, 2007: Shoppers offered few safeguards against 'Wild West' imports. CNN.com. 26 July 2007. Story Highlights U.S. consumer expert calls China the "Wild West" of manufacturing Beijing maintains its goods are safe Dissident says Chinese products are much worse than people realize 40 percent of all goods imported into the U.S. last year came from China
Pollution-cholesterol link to heart disease seen. The combination activates genes that can cause clogged arteries, UCLA researchers say. LA Times. 26 July 2007. Strengthening the link between air pollution and cardiovascular disease, new research suggests that people with high cholesterol are especially vulnerable to heart disease when they are exposed to diesel exhaust and other ultra-fine particles that are common pollutants in urban air. (Links to Abstract and PDF of study published in Genome Biology.)
Diesel pollution 'clogs arteries'. Diesel fumes appear to combine with artery-clogging fats to raise the risk of heart disease, research suggests. BBC, United Kingdom. 26 July 2007.
Exhaust fumes linked to rise in heart disease. Pollution from motor vehicles may be driving up rates of heart disease by triggering inflammation and hardening blood vessels, scientists warn today. London Guardian, England. 26 July 2007.
Auto exhaust linked to stroke. Never mind smoking. Just breathing city air can cause heart attacks and strokes. Toronto Star, Ontario. 26 July 2007.
Pollution 'increases heart attack risk. Exposure to air pollution multiplies the increased risk of heart attacks and strokes caused by high cholesterol, scientists say. London Daily Telegraph, England. 26 July 2007.
Diesel exhaust, hardening of arteries linked. Microscopic particulate matter spewed from diesel exhaust has been linked to hardening of the arteries, bad news for motorists with high cholesterol who sit in traffic or people living near freeways, UCLA researchers said Wednesday. Los Angeles Daily News, California. 26 July 2007.
Researchers link smog to risk of heart disease. Microscopic particulate matter spewed from diesel exhaust has been linked to hardening of the arteries, bad news for motorists with high cholesterol who sit in traffic or people living near freeways, UCLA researchers said Wednesday. Whittier Daily News, California. 26 July 2007.
Study links diesel exhaust to heart attacks. If you're concerned about cholesterol, you may want to avoid air pollution. ABC News. 26 July 2007.

Added July 23, 2007: Freeway link a door for some, a jam for others. Closing the gap on the 210 will help Inland Empire commuters but may further congest streets in foothill cities. LATimes, California.
Victoria must look at Deltaport truck route alternatives. The longer Gordon Campbell's Liberals govern British Columbia, the more they seem to display a worrying lack of flexibility, especially when it comes to key issues like transportation. Vancouver Province (subscription), Canada.
Added July 18, 2007: Importing injustice. Activists say that the port system has led to sweatshoplike conditions for truckers and a health crisis for the surrounding community. San Francisco Bay Guardian, California.
Added July 12, 2007: L.A. County offers 'inland port' plan. A hub in the Antelope Valley that would use rail lines could relieve freeway congestion as the ports continue to handle more cargo. Los Angeles Times. California. http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-inlandport12jul12,1,6997589.story
Needed by 2050: decked freeways, tunnels, tolls, trains. Building the roads and transportation infrastructure needed to accommodate Southern California's surging population could cost more than $100 billion, according to planners, leaving the region's taxpayers with a tough choice ahead. Los Angeles Times. California. http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-roads11jul11,1,687520.story
Cleaner locomotive starts its port duty. The engines burn 30% less fuel than the old ones and will cut smog-forming nitrous oxides by about 46% -- or about 163 tons -- each year. Los Angeles Times. California. http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-trains10jul10,1,6700790.story
For Athletes, an Invisible Traffic Hazard. Sooty Streets: Air pollution may make a ride along the Hudson in Manhattan bad for lungs and hearts. New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/12/fashion/12Fitness.html?ex=1184904000&en=46ef23a0731a7af6&ei=5070&emc=eta1
Environment chief grilled over air proposal. Senate panel members grilled the nation's top environmental official about whether his proposal for a new U.S. ozone standard was influenced by industry and without regard for the recommendation of his agency's science advisers. Riverside Press-Enterprise, Riverside, California. http://www.pe.com/localnews/rivcounty/stories/PE_News_Local_D_ozone12.3f1d106.html
US leads search for climate solutions. California has a long record of taking action on the environment. It also has a record of technological advancement. Both elements are being combined in the search for "clean tech" breakthroughs, along with hundreds of millions of dollars for good measure. BBC, United Kingdom. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6283986.stm
Packaging goes green. From the boardrooms of some of the nation's biggest packaging and consumer goods companies to Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer, designing packaging with less material and more recyclable content while reducing shipment and handling is suddenly a hot topic. Cincinnati Enquirer, Ohio. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070708/BIZ01/707080341/1076
Added July 6, 2007: The Port of Baltimore goes green. Joseph R. Hughes, The Examiner. Jul 5, 2007 12:00 AM (20 hrs ago) BALTIMORE From coast to coast, American seaports are charged with managing environmental issues. Diesel emissions from ships, railroads, trucks and dockside handling equipment present a potentially significant obstacle to continued cargo growth. To read the rest of this article, please click on the link below: http://www.examiner.com/a-813849~The_Port_of_Baltimore_goes_green.html
Added May 30, 2007: Port complex aspires to be bustling, clean. Los Angeles Times. 28 May 2007.
Added May 25, 2007: Cancer risk rises for those near rail yards. A study says Commerce neighborhoods near several major facilities face a greater threat from diesel soot than residents elsewhere. (The rail yards are booming from international trade). "Living next to a rail yard is like having a factory with 100 smokestacks going all the time," said Angelo Logan, head of East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice. Los Angeles Times. May 25, 2007. Health risk assessments (HRA's) for California rail yards released. The California Air Resources Board has released its first set of HRAs produced as part of a voluntary agreement with Union Pacific and BNSF rail roads. Posted on ARB website, May 23, 2007. Growth of California Ports: Opportunities and Challenges. A Report to the California State Legislature. Report submitted to the California Legislature by the California Marine and Intermodal Transportation System Advisory Council (CALMITSAC), April 2007. The majority of the members of CALMITSAC are representatives of government or of the port/maritime/rail/transportation industry. The report is a valuable resource for understanding anticipated growth of international trade and planned infrastructure projects, with statistics on trade and port growth. (The report continues to list BNSF SCIG and UP ICTF expansion as desirable projects). (Released May 2007). Ports of Seattle and Takoma (WA) and Vancouver (B.C., Canada) plan strategies to reduce maritime emissions. The ports of Seattle, Tacoma and Vancouver, B.C., are planning to reduce particulate matter – found in soot, smoke, exhaust and diesel emissions – by 70 percent from ships at berth and 30 percent from cargo-handling equipment. Seattle P-I.com. May 16, 2007

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Archived news stories on trade, environmental health, ports and goods movement

May - July 2007 Archive

Added July 31, 2007:

Local traffic count method sought. Two on the council want L.A. planners to find more accurate ways to predict the effect of a raft of new building projects on roadways. Los Angeles Times, California. 31 July 2007.

Added July 30, 2007:

Congress approves rail cargo measure. Freight trains carrying hazardous chemicals could be required to avoid downtown Washington and other densely populated areas in favor of more rural routes, under a Homeland Security bill that Congress passed Friday night. Washington Post [Registration Required]
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/28/AR2007072801229.html

S.F. port sets sail on Pier 70 revitalization plan. The Examiner, California. 30 July 2007.

China steps up defense of its products' safety. After years of being accused by the West of making only token gestures to fight fake goods, and months of complaints about the safety of its exports, China is taking extraordinary steps to change its image. International Herald Tribune
http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/07/27/business/safety.php

Port of Tacoma to build $300 million container terminal for NYK. The Examiner, California. 26 July 2007.

Added July 27, 2007:

Air board cracks down on diesel. California's diesel-powered bulldozers and other heavy construction equipment must be retrofitted or replaced over the next 13 years to reduce air pollution that sickens tens of thousands every year, state regulators decided. Under tough new rules adopted by the Air Resources Board, California is the first state to make construction companies fix existing diesel-powered machines. Los Angeles Times, California. [Registration Required]
http://www.latimes.com/news/science/environment/la-me-diesel27jul27,1,3219628.story

Added July 26, 2007:

Shoppers offered few safeguards against 'Wild West' imports. CNN.com. 26 July 2007.

Story Highlights
U.S. consumer expert calls China the "Wild West" of manufacturing
Beijing maintains its goods are safe
Dissident says Chinese products are much worse than people realize
40 percent of all goods imported into the U.S. last year came from China

Pollution-cholesterol link to heart disease seen. The combination activates genes that can cause clogged arteries, UCLA researchers say. LA Times. 26 July 2007.

Strengthening the link between air pollution and cardiovascular disease, new research suggests that people with high cholesterol are especially vulnerable to heart disease when they are exposed to diesel exhaust and other ultra-fine particles that are common pollutants in urban air.

(Links to Abstract and PDF of study published in Genome Biology.)

Diesel pollution 'clogs arteries'. Diesel fumes appear to combine with artery-clogging fats to raise the risk of heart disease, research suggests. BBC, United Kingdom. 26 July 2007.

Exhaust fumes linked to rise in heart disease. Pollution from motor vehicles may be driving up rates of heart disease by triggering inflammation and hardening blood vessels, scientists warn today. London Guardian, England. 26 July 2007.

Auto exhaust linked to stroke. Never mind smoking. Just breathing city air can cause heart attacks and strokes. Toronto Star, Ontario. 26 July 2007.

Pollution 'increases heart attack risk. Exposure to air pollution multiplies the increased risk of heart attacks and strokes caused by high cholesterol, scientists say. London Daily Telegraph, England. 26 July 2007.

Diesel exhaust, hardening of arteries linked. Microscopic particulate matter spewed from diesel exhaust has been linked to hardening of the arteries, bad news for motorists with high cholesterol who sit in traffic or people living near freeways, UCLA researchers said Wednesday. Los Angeles Daily News, California. 26 July 2007.

Researchers link smog to risk of heart disease. Microscopic particulate matter spewed from diesel exhaust has been linked to hardening of the arteries, bad news for motorists with high cholesterol who sit in traffic or people living near freeways, UCLA researchers said Wednesday. Whittier Daily News, California. 26 July 2007.

Study links diesel exhaust to heart attacks. If you're concerned about cholesterol, you may want to avoid air pollution. ABC News. 26 July 2007.

Added July 23, 2007:

Freeway link a door for some, a jam for others. Closing the gap on the 210 will help Inland Empire commuters but may further congest streets in foothill cities. LATimes, California.

Victoria must look at Deltaport truck route alternatives. The longer Gordon Campbell's Liberals govern British Columbia, the more they seem to display a worrying lack of flexibility, especially when it comes to key issues like transportation. Vancouver Province (subscription), Canada.

Added July 18, 2007:

Importing injustice. Activists say that the port system has led to sweatshoplike conditions for truckers and a health crisis for the surrounding community. San Francisco Bay Guardian, California.

Added July 12, 2007:

L.A. County offers 'inland port' plan. A hub in the Antelope Valley that would use rail lines could relieve freeway congestion as the ports continue to handle more cargo. Los Angeles Times. California.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-inlandport12jul12,1,6997589.story

Needed by 2050: decked freeways, tunnels, tolls, trains. Building the roads and transportation infrastructure needed to accommodate Southern California's surging population could cost more than $100 billion, according to planners, leaving the region's taxpayers with a tough choice ahead. Los Angeles Times. California. http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-roads11jul11,1,687520.story

Cleaner locomotive starts its port duty. The engines burn 30% less fuel than the old ones and will cut smog-forming nitrous oxides by about 46% -- or about 163 tons -- each year. Los Angeles Times. California.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-trains10jul10,1,6700790.story

For Athletes, an Invisible Traffic Hazard. Sooty Streets: Air pollution may make a ride along the Hudson in Manhattan bad for lungs and hearts. New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/12/fashion/12Fitness.html?ex=1184904000&en=46ef23a0731a7af6&ei=5070&emc=eta1

Environment chief grilled over air proposal. Senate panel members grilled the nation's top environmental official about whether his proposal for a new U.S. ozone standard was influenced by industry and without regard for the recommendation of his agency's science advisers. Riverside Press-Enterprise, Riverside, California.
http://www.pe.com/localnews/rivcounty/stories/PE_News_Local_D_ozone12.3f1d106.html

US leads search for climate solutions. California has a long record of taking action on the environment. It also has a record of technological advancement. Both elements are being combined in the search for "clean tech" breakthroughs, along with hundreds of millions of dollars for good measure. BBC, United Kingdom.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6283986.stm

Packaging goes green. From the boardrooms of some of the nation's biggest packaging and consumer goods companies to Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer, designing packaging with less material and more recyclable content while reducing shipment and handling is suddenly a hot topic. Cincinnati Enquirer, Ohio.
http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070708/BIZ01/707080341/1076

Added July 6, 2007:

The Port of Baltimore goes green. Joseph R. Hughes, The Examiner. Jul 5, 2007 12:00 AM (20 hrs ago)

BALTIMORE

From coast to coast, American seaports are charged with managing environmental issues. Diesel emissions from ships, railroads, trucks and dockside handling equipment present a potentially significant obstacle to continued cargo growth.

To read the rest of this article, please click on the link below:

http://www.examiner.com/a-813849~The_Port_of_Baltimore_goes_green.html

Added May 30, 2007:

Port complex aspires to be bustling, clean. Los Angeles Times. 28 May 2007.

Added May 25, 2007:

Cancer risk rises for those near rail yards. A study says Commerce neighborhoods near several major facilities face a greater threat from diesel soot than residents elsewhere. (The rail yards are booming from international trade). "Living next to a rail yard is like having a factory with 100 smokestacks going all the time," said Angelo Logan, head of East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice. Los Angeles Times. May 25, 2007.

Health risk assessments (HRA's) for California rail yards released. The California Air Resources Board has released its first set of HRAs produced as part of a voluntary agreement with Union Pacific and BNSF rail roads. Posted on ARB website, May 23, 2007.

Growth of California Ports: Opportunities and Challenges. A Report to the California State Legislature. Report submitted to the California Legislature by the California Marine and Intermodal Transportation System Advisory Council (CALMITSAC), April 2007. The majority of the members of CALMITSAC are representatives of government or of the port/maritime/rail/transportation industry. The report is a valuable resource for understanding anticipated growth of international trade and planned infrastructure projects, with statistics on trade and port growth. (The report continues to list BNSF SCIG and UP ICTF expansion as desirable projects). (Released May 2007).

Ports of Seattle and Takoma (WA) and Vancouver (B.C., Canada) plan strategies to reduce maritime emissions. The ports of Seattle, Tacoma and Vancouver, B.C., are planning to reduce particulate matter – found in soot, smoke, exhaust and diesel emissions – by 70 percent from ships at berth and 30 percent from cargo-handling equipment. Seattle P-I.com. May 16, 2007

Back to Current News Links