June 25th 2012-- Los Angeles Times

Diesel exhaust can cause cancer, World Health Organization says

Diesel Particulate Matter  (DPM) is part of a complex mixture that makes up diesel exhaust and has fine and ultra-fine particles that are respirable, which means that they can avoid many of the human respiratory system's defense mechanisms and enter deeply into the lungs.  Numerous international health agencies have concluded that diesel exhaust is a probable or known carcinogen, with particulate matter accounting for diesel exhaust’s carcinogenicity. Various U.S. studies estimating the lifetime excess cancer risk caused by air pollution have concluded that DPM is responsible for 70% - 89% of the total cancer risk caused by air pollution in the U.S. and includes premature mortality, decreased lung function, exacerbation of asthma, and negative immunological effects upon the respiratory system. Exposure to DPM also causes eye, nose, and respiratory irritation symptoms such as cough, phlegm, chest tightness and wheezing.  Long-term exposure can lead to chronic, more serious health problems such as cardiovascular disease, cardiopulmonary disease, lung cancer and chronic inflammation of the lungs. 

Residents of Elysian Valley and Cypress Park are mostly unaware that breathing this particulate matter pose a serious health risk. Children and or older citizens are the most susceptible to these hidden hazards.  Residents and visitors to this area are being exposed to this nearly every day because of our close proximity (less then 400 feet from many residences) to the Metrolink Maintenance Facility where numerous trains idle for a minimum of 80 hours a week. Inspectors from the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) have reported back to Elysian Valley residents after visiting and talking with the MetroLink Management that this area services approximately 28 trains per day at an hour and a half each between the hours of 7:00 am to 5:30 pm, Monday through Friday however 

Multiple engines are being serviced at once as well as overflow traffic after 5:30 with locomotives that are serviced at odd hours of the night, sometimes running all night long and weekends. This translates to approximately 320 hours of DPM exhaust monthly or over 16,500 hours a year.  Residents are constantly breathing exhaust, depending on the wind current. Exposure to DPM is cumulative which poses a very serious heath risk in the long run.

Some Diesel Exhaust Hazard References

*California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment:: Health Effects of Diesel Exhaust

*Occupational Safety and Health Administration: Chemical Sampling Information, Diesel Fuel 

*American Cancer Society: Learn About Cancer - Diesel Exhaust 

Resources 

*Clean Air Task Force: "Diesel and Health in America: The Lingering Threat" 

* Effects From Inhaling Exhaust Fumes 

*Other problems DPM is creating for our city is addressed in a recent LA Times article, "EPA is 

  sued over smog in Los Angeles Basin"

Sept. 15, 2011- Metrolink locomotive reving its engine in the cover of the night releasing Diesel Particulate Matter. This is a common occurrence several times a week at the Metrolink Central Maintenance Facility.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbQAU0r3ryA

The film clip below was filmed on a Wednesday night 10:30 PM from a residents backyard of when the Metrolink locomotives are spewing excess amounts of DPM into our neighborhoods.   This occurs during both weekdays and weekends.

You can easily see the DPM coming up from below the MetroLink light post. 

Full screen option on YouTube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUmv6hZEKIA