The human population is at risk of health problems resulting from exposure to polluted environments. Communities living nearby the Californian sea ports such as the Port of Los Angeles/Long Beach and the oil refineries are strongly opposing plans to expand such facilities because they associate them with the high morbidity and mortality rates from cancer, asthma and other environmental-associated health risk problems, in the area. On the other hand, these facilities contribute to the economic growth at both local state and country levels.
Worth noting is that controversies occur on whether the health risk problems are fully contributed with the ports’ activities, as Environmental Impact Reports presented to the State of California fail to connect the adverse health conditions to the facilities while personal opinions and web sources say otherwise. Nevertheless it is important to conduct a risk analysis, that evaluates the people’s health and check for the level of impact from environmental hazards, before deciding on the way forward.
This paper characterizes the health risks potentially associated with living near a refinery or large harbor. Secondly, comparisons will be made between empirical studies and anecdotal reports concerning environmental hazards and their impact on health. Thirdly, other aspects that may contribute to high morbidity and mortality rates of people living near refineries, ports and harbors will be assessed. Finally, the report discusses how a Multi-Criteria Integrated Resource Assessment (MIRA) could change the decision-making process concerning plans for expansion.
Environmental health related health risks potentially associated with living near a refinery or a large harbor Respiratory illnesses and Cancer Populations living large harbors or refinery are mostly affected by respiratory health conditions and cancers usually associated with particulate matter in the air (Nickens, 2006). Gas emissions containing sulfur compounds, nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide are common in these regions, and associated with respiratory illnesses like Asthma.
Asthma for instance is so prevalent, among children in the Los Angeles harbor region, and this is associated with the polluted air from emissions in refinery factories, diesel trucks and trains that carry cargo, or ships in the harbor (Pastor, Sadd, & Morello-Frosch, 2002). Nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, carbon monoxide and particulate matter in diesel harm the respiratory lining with continuous inhalation. Diesel particulate matter from trucks exist as many compounds, of which 40 are listed by the Californian Environmental Protection Agency (CaEPA) as being air contaminants that are toxic (Sardar et al. 2004).
When the diesel soot is inhaled, the toxic substances are taken in the depths of the lungs, because diesel soot is light and easily absorbed in the lung membrane. The continuous exposure and persistent inhalation of these substances, undermine the biomechanics of the body in removal of such toxic wastes, hence the risk health conditions develop (EHC, 1999). Cancer is another health risk condition prevalent in these areas. Some of the toxic substances produced when channeled into the body, have the ability to alter the genetic makeup of the cells and tissues, and therefore causing cancerous cells to develop.
Some of the particulates are ultra fine in size such that they are carried directly to the blood stream, and thus have immediate contact with the body tissues. Exposure to Benzene, for example is associated with the deadly blood cancer-leukemia. Further environmental health related risks include the constant severe nose as ships are hauled in the harbor, trucks and train transit the cargos to an from the ports and noise from machinery activities. The noise not only causes a disturbance to the ordinary life but may lead to deafness.