Air Pollution Still Rising at Port

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It’s a case of economic growth outstripping environmental initiative at the Port of Long Beach, as a new survey shows air pollution volumes rising by double-digit levels in recent years, despite the best efforts of industry and regulators, the Long Beach Press-Telegram reports.


Between 2002 and 2005, volumes of smog-forming pollution from ships, trains and trucks visiting the port jumped by between 11 and 15 percent.


Growth in pollutants would probably have been worse if not for the increased use of cleaner fuels and new engines by port industry, as the number of containers handled in Long Beach increased 48 percent during the same timeframe.


The survey, conducted by port environmental engineers and coming on the heels of a similar survey by the Port of Los Angeles, showed total diesel particulate matter (DPM) rising by 11 percent and nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide by 15 percent.

The rise in diesel particulate matter, which includes a very fine soot capable of lodging deep into human lungs, is probably the most disturbing because of its impact on the people who work and live near the port complex.



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