Air Pollution and Health: County Public Health Department Perspectives and Actions

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1 Air Pollution and Health: County Public Health Department Perspectives and Actions Paul Simon, MD, MPH Director, Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention Los Angeles County Department of Public Health May 2, 2012

2 Health Impacts of Air Pollution in Southern California (per year) 6,200 Premature Deaths 2,400 Hospitalizations 140,000 Asthma and Lower Respiratory Symptoms 980,000 Lost Work Days Data Source: South Coast Air Quality Management District, 2010,

3 Ozone Trends: Los Angeles County Data Source: California Air Resources Board,

4 PM 2.5 Trends: Los Angeles County Data Source: California Air Resources Board,

5 Complicating Factors Countywide trends mask significant local variation e.g., influence of locate climates and topographies; proximity to ports, railyards, freeways and other major roadways Complex regulatory environment (the county public health dept does not have regulatory authority) Multiple pollutants with different health effects Multiple pollution sources that require different strategies to prevent and mitigate health impacts

6 County Public Health Department Activities Division of Environment al Health community education, partnership with SCAQMD; selective review of EIRs Division of Community Health Services community liaisons Maternal, Child Adolescent Health Programs coordinates Asthma Coalition (priorities include education and policy advocacy) Division of Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention, PLACE Program focus on policies, systems, and environmental change; limited experience with HIA

7 Plan and Build for Active Transportation Complete streets policies: Baldwin Park, Asuza, Huntington Park Bicycle master plans: Los Angeles, Lancaster, Long Beach, Santa Monica, Whittier, South Bay cities Pedestrian master plans: Pasadena, West Hollywood, Santa Clarita, Culver City New bike/pedestrian infrastructure: Los Angeles, Glendale, Long Beach, El Monte, Redondo Beach

8 Reduce Vehicle Miles Traveled and Greenhouse Gases SCAG 2012 Regional Transportation Plan Long range transportation plan for six-county region Includes Sustainable Communities Strategy mandated by SB 375 Provides vision for transportation investments regionwide An opportunity to improve public health by increasing active transportation and reducing air pollution

9 Increase Funding for Active Transportation Cost to build walkable/bikeable communities in region unknown Active transportation investment in draft RTP was only $6 billion (1% of total budget) DPH developed cost estimate for bike/ped infrastructure to inform policy discussion Released estimate to SCAG & public; costs estimated at $37 $60 billion (7 11 % of budget) DPH testified to SCAG Regional Council Final RTP adopted April 2012 with $6.7 billion allocated for bike & pedestrian projects Need for health impact assessment

10 Reducing Near-Roadway CARB advisory, 2005 Exposures - avoid siting new sensitive land uses within 500 ft of a freeway, urban roads with 100,000 vehicles/day, or rural roads with 50,000 vehicles per day - "sensitive land uses" include residences, schools, child care centers, playgrounds, and medical facilities - is voluntary ("Land use agencies have to balance other considerations, including housing and transportation needs, economic development priorities, and other quality of life issues.")

11 Current Policies (cont.) LAUSD adopted a policy in 2008 consistent with the CARB guidance: new schools should not be sited within 500 ft of a freeway unless the Board finds that either: - the risk can be adequately mitigated, or - all feasible mitigation has been implemented, no alternative sites are available, and the benefits of the project outweigh the risk LA County Housing Authority adopted a policy in 2008 to not fund housing developments within 500 ft of a freeway.

12 Siting Restrictions Can Have Unintended Health Consequences Examples: - Widespread siting restrictions may discourage compact mixed-use development, a strategy for increasing physical activity and reducing auto dependence - Siting restrictions may reduce affordable housing, leading to increased homelessness and financial strain with the attendant adverse health consequences

13 Broader Policy Action Needed Stronger mandates for use of zero emission and low emission vehicles, including trucks used for goods movement Alternative goods movement strategies Establish regulatory standards for near roadway emissions Increase mass transit options Promote land use practices that reduce auto dependence

14 Capitalize on Intersecting Agendas Air quality/environmental justice advocates Physical activity advocates Nutrition/good food advocates Education advocates Others?

15 LA County Public Health Healthy People in Healthy Communities 15