Project Number:
AR 07-08
Research Project:
Health Effects Associated with Goods Movement in the Los Angeles
P.I. Name & Address:
Robert Friis, Ph. D.
California State University at Long Beach
Department of Health Science
Long Beach, CA 90840
E-mail: rfriis@csulb.edu
Web Site: http://www.csulb.edu/colleges/chhs/departments/health-science/faculty-profiles/RobertH.FriisPh.D..htm
Phone: (562) 985-1537
Project Objective:
This project will examine health effects associated with proximity to major air pollution sources that are linked to goods movement within the Los Angeles Basin. For example, the proposed research will examine the possible role of increasing traffic in causing health hazards for vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly. This research topic is one that is the focus of attention of community members and health officials in the Basin. Researchers at USC have investigated the health impacts of goods movement, especially with respect to air pollution.For example, the USC Children's Health Study found that children who lived in communities with higher levels of pollution in comparison with children who lived in less polluted areas experienced a number of adverse pulmonary outcomes, including reduced lung function and exacerbation of asthma. Froines and others have written about the potential impacts of globalization and goods movement and possible health impacts from air pollution generated by the transit of goods through the Los Angeles/Long Beach Ports.
The purpose of the proposed project will differ from that of recently released studies undertaken at USC and UCLA in several respects. The USC Children's Health Study focused on children, whereas the present study includes information regarding adults as well as children and adolescents. The former study provided data on the incidence of asthma linked to mobile sources of air pollution. Instead of providing incidence data, the purpose of the present study is to provide epidemiologic data on the prevalence of health outcomes associated with mobile and stationary air pollution sources such as goods movement. Ongoing studies at UCLA are concerned with the development of models that characterize exposure of L.A. Basin residents to diesel truck exhaust. This purpose differs from that of the present study. An extensive body of literature exists on the human health effects of exposure to air pollution. Among human populations, air pollution is associated with short-term (acute) and long-term effects. The former can include irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, aching lungs, bronchitis and pneumonia, wheezing, coughing, nausea, and headaches. Examples of the latter are heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and lung cancer.
One of the most frequent chronic conditions in the U.S., asthma has shown an increasing prevalence since 1980. This increase has happened even as air pollution has declined steadily. Currently, asthma is regarded as a key public health problem that confronts the U.S.Error! Bookmark not defined. Residents of inner-city areas (notably children) seem to be more affected by the condition than are persons who live in other areas. The growing problem of childhood asthma is significant to public health because of the burden of morbidity and suffering that this condition contributes to the lives of children and their parents. Interestingly, in the U.S., the prevalence of childhood asthma varies by socioeconomic status and racial and ethnic group. African American children who live in low-income areas have the highest asthma prevalence and morbidity in comparison with other ethnic and racial groups. Indoor air quality and genetic factors may be relevant to the occurrence of this significant respiratory disease.
Task Descriptions
| Task |
Date For Completion |
| Meet with technical consultants, UCLA |
June 2007 |
Review status of project with CSULB staff;
recruit and train students who will be
involved with project |
June 2007 |
| Perform literature review |
May 2008 (begin in June 2007) |
| Acquire dataset |
July 2007 |
| Submit first quarterly report |
Approx. September 2007 |
| Commence statistical analyses |
July 2007 |
| Finalize statistical analyses |
May 2008 |
| Meet with technical consultants, UCLA |
August 2007 |
| Submit second quarterly report |
Approx. December 2007 |
| Meet with technical consultants, UCLA |
December 2007 |
| Write proposal for poster presentation |
February 2008 |
| Submit third quarterly report |
Approx. March 2008 |
| Meet with technical consultants, UCLA |
April 2008 |
| Submit final report |
June 2008 |
Milestones, Dates:
June 1, 2007 – May 31, 2008
Total Budget:
$40,000
Student Involvement:
One student at 35% effort, 12 months
Relationship to Other Research Projects:
Related to 01-02; part of the goods movement focus area
Technology Transfer Activities:
Project report posted on the website
Potential Benefits of the Project:
Increased knowledge regarding the health effects of goods movement operations on children and adults
TRB Keywords:
Health, goods movement, asthma, air pollution, diesel, exhaust, emissions
