For regions closest to freeways, pollution may be lower when the landscape includes buildings of different heights as well as parks and other open spaces where pollutants have escape routes. For this reason, the opens in a new windowSan Francisco Health Code opens PDF file still requires ventilation for all units in a multi-story building and not just those at street level. In particular, corridors of tall buildings can be very effective at trapping polluting particles near people’s lungs. Although common sense may suggest that a freeway that is far below or above where people spend most of their time may help to improve air quality, there is so far opens in a new windowlittle evidence that such a height difference helps. When calculating distance from a freeway, elevation may also matter. These so-called non-exhaust pollutants are the main reason a shift toward electric cars will still not entirely solve our air quality problems. Interchanges and areas where braking is more frequent are also worse than average because they combine pollutants derived from exhaust with other pollution sources like the toxic metals found in the dust from brake pads and tires. Warehouse distribution centers and ports should also be avoided for similar reasons. Areas near freeways frequented by diesel trucks are exposed to the worst kinds of carcinogens that are linked to the bulk of associated cancer risks. However, not all freeways are equal offenders. If logistically and financially possible, live, work, and go to school outside of the 1000-foot zone within the freeway where traffic pollution is typically highest. How Can You Protect Yourself from Highway Pollutants? opens in a new windowLower bone density in adults and opens in a new windowlower birth weights may also be linked to freeway proximity. Residential proximity to the freeway has also been linked to opens in a new windowcardiac issues. The build up of carcinogens in the bloodstream can elevate cholesterol levels in the short term and possibly lead to heart attack or stroke in the long term. The same study found no link to higher rates for the less common Parkinson’s or multiple sclerosis, although experts note this could be due to the lower numbers overall for these conditions and that further study is needed. A decade-long study of adults living in Ontario, Canada, revealed an opens in a new windowincreased risk of dementia for residents closest to the freeway. For example, children living close to freeways have opens in a new windowhigher rates of uncontrolled asthma and opens in a new windowother respiratory problems. The health risks of living, working, or otherwise spending large fractions of time near freeways, are a topic of current scientific study but are already known to be numerous. Many of those people have fewer economic options making freeway pollution a matter of environmental justice. As urban populations rise around the globe, more and more people are living in zones with high levels of air pollution close to major roadways. In Southern California, an estimated opens in a new window1.2 million people live within 500 feet of the freeway even though the opens in a new windowCalifornia Environmental Protection Agency opens PDF file and the California Air Resources Board recommend against it.
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