Greta Jimenez
The Port of Long Beach, along with the neighbouring Port of Los Angeles, has long been criticised for producing high levels of pollution. The two ports are the busiest in the nation, and their emissions have been linked to a range of health issues, including asthma, heart and lung diseases, and cancer. While air quality has improved in recent decades, a recent spike in pollution has caused concern among residents and environmental advocates. This increase has been attributed to pandemic-related supply chain disruptions and cargo congestion, with more anchored vessels running on polluting auxiliary engines. Despite efforts to reduce emissions, such as the implementation of congestion-reduction measures and the development of clean-air pledges, the ports continue to face challenges in meeting their goals and addressing the health impacts on surrounding communities.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Air pollution sources | Diesel trucks, trains, ships, cargo equipment, oil refineries, rail yards, freeways, chemical facilities, oilfield |
| Air pollutants | Diesel exhaust, fine particles, smog, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, volatile organic hydrocarbons, ozone |
| Health impacts | Asthma attacks, cancer, heart and lung diseases |
| Pollution trends | Overall criteria pollutant emissions decreased between 2005 and 2021, but emissions increased significantly since 2020, especially during the pandemic |
| Pollution reduction efforts | Electrification of ports, zero-emission trucks and cargo equipment, congestion-reduction measures, new ship queuing system |
| Community response | Community groups say proposed rules don't go far enough, call for enforceable targets and accelerated deadlines |
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What You'll Learn
- The Port of Long Beach is one of the nation's busiest seaports
- Air pollution from the port has been linked to health issues in surrounding communities
- Diesel exhaust, fine particles, and smog can trigger asthma attacks and worsen heart and lung diseases
- The port has implemented initiatives to reduce emissions and plans to electrify its operations
- Environmental advocates call for stricter regulations and accelerated timelines for reducing port pollution
The Port of Long Beach is one of the nation's busiest seaports
The congestion at the port, caused by increased cargo imports and supply chain disruptions, has led to more vessels running on polluting auxiliary engines. This has resulted in an increase in emissions, with a particular rise in sulfur oxides (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and diesel particulate matter. These emissions contribute to acid rain, haze, and negative impacts on human health, the environment, and global climate change. The pollution from the port has been linked to respiratory illnesses, triggering asthma attacks and causing or worsening heart and lung diseases.
While there have been efforts to reduce emissions and improve air quality, such as the implementation of the San Pedro Bay Clean Air Action Plan (CAAP), the results have been mixed. The Port of Long Beach has seen a significant increase in emissions since 2020, with a recent report showing a rise in SOx emissions of 38% and a 42% increase in diesel particulate matter emissions in 2021 compared to 2020. The port has also struggled to meet the CAAP's goal of reducing NOx emissions.
The South Coast Air Quality Management District has proposed a rule that would require the port to develop a plan to switch to electric and hydrogen-powered equipment, trucks, and vessels by 2027. However, there is criticism that the ports are not doing enough to reduce pollution and are resisting efforts to hold them accountable for their clean-air pledges.
The Port of Long Beach plays a critical role in the US economy, handling millions of tons of cargo each year, but it is important to balance this with the need to protect the health and well-being of the surrounding communities and the environment.
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Air pollution from the port has been linked to health issues in surrounding communities
The Port of Long Beach, along with the neighbouring Port of Los Angeles, is one of the nation's busiest seaports, handling millions of tons of cargo each year. This massive operation has made it the region's biggest source of air pollution, impacting the health of surrounding communities.
The South Coast Air Quality Management District has reported that air pollutants such as diesel exhaust and benzene in West Long Beach are linked to an 84% higher potential for cancers compared to two decades ago. Fine particles from diesel exhaust can also trigger asthma attacks and worsen heart and lung diseases. In Wilmington, 664 people out of every million exposed are at risk of developing cancer from air pollution, with risks exceeding 1 in 100 considered unacceptable.
The increase in cargo imports and pandemic supply chain disruptions have led to more anchored vessels running on polluting auxiliary engines, resulting in a spike in emissions. In 2021, diesel particulate matter increased by 42% at the Port of Long Beach, while nitrogen oxide emissions rose by 35%, contributing to ozone layer depletion and smog formation. These emissions have far-reaching effects, increasing smog as far away as the Inland Empire in Southern California.
While there have been efforts to reduce emissions, such as the San Pedro Bay Clean Air Action Plan, and a new queuing system for ships, community groups feel that these changes are not happening fast enough. Environmental advocates are pushing for enforceable targets and accelerated deadlines for zero-emission trucks and cargo equipment to address the air pollution crisis.
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Diesel exhaust, fine particles, and smog can trigger asthma attacks and worsen heart and lung diseases
The Port of Long Beach, along with the Port of Los Angeles, is one of the largest ports in the world. Together, they are the biggest sources of air pollution in the LA basin. Diesel trucks, trains, ships, and cargo equipment spew large quantities of soot and other pollutants linked to respiratory illnesses. Diesel exhaust is composed of vapors, gases, and fine particles emitted by diesel-fueled compression-ignition engines.
A recent study in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives found that diesel exhaust may not just aggravate asthma but also cause it in otherwise healthy people. The study clarified the entire pathway of the immune response, showing how diesel can trigger acute asthma attacks and chronically make individuals susceptible to developing an asthmatic response. The study also helps explain why more children appear to be developing sensitivity to allergens.
The Port of Long Beach has seen an increase in emissions in recent years, with a significant rise in sulfur oxides (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and diesel particulate matter emissions. These increases have been attributed to pandemic-era supply chain disruptions and cargo congestion, with more anchored vessels running on polluting auxiliary engines and increased truck and train activity. However, it's important to note that air quality in the region has improved substantially in recent decades due to local and state rules, and the port has implemented initiatives to reduce emissions further.
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The port has implemented initiatives to reduce emissions and plans to electrify its operations
The Port of Long Beach, along with the neighbouring Port of Los Angeles, is one of the largest sources of air pollution in the LA basin. The two ports are responsible for about 40% of the nation's imports and exports, and the large influx of cargo in recent years has resulted in increased congestion and pollution. The pollution from the ports is linked to respiratory illnesses and cancers, with the nearby communities suffering from asthma attacks and other health issues.
However, the Port of Long Beach has implemented several initiatives to reduce emissions and improve air quality in the region. One of the key projects is the Zero-Emissions Terminal Equipment Transition Project, which aims to demonstrate and deploy zero-emissions cargo-handling equipment (CHE). For this project, the Port collaborated with various partners and received $9.755 million in funding from the CEC under the "Sustainable Freight Transportation Projects" grant. Through this project, the Port successfully demonstrated various zero-emission CHEs, including battery-electric yard tractors, grid-tied electric rubber-tired gantry (eRTG) cranes, and plug-in hybrid electric drayage trucks (PHET) powered by liquified natural gas (LNG).
The Port of Long Beach is also fostering the development and commercialisation of zero-emission technologies through its Technology Advancement Program (TAP). TAP aims to accelerate the verification and commercial availability of clean technologies in the port market through evaluation and demonstration. Additionally, the port has been providing incentive funding for zero-emission trucks and testing a range of new green technologies.
The South Coast Air Quality Management District has proposed a rule that would require the Port of Long Beach to develop a plan by August 2027 to build charging and fueling stations to transition their diesel equipment, trucks, and vessels to electricity and hydrogen. This transition is a crucial step in the port's goal to become a zero-emissions port and improve the air quality in the surrounding communities.
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Environmental advocates call for stricter regulations and accelerated timelines for reducing port pollution
The Port of Long Beach, along with the neighbouring Port of Los Angeles, is one of the nation's busiest seaports, handling millions of tons of cargo each year. The ports are the biggest sources of air pollution in the LA basin, with diesel trucks, trains, ships, and cargo equipment spewing large quantities of soot and other pollutants linked to respiratory illnesses and cancer.
While air pollution in the region has been on a downward trend over the last few decades, a recent spike in emissions has caused concern among environmental advocates and community groups. This increase has been attributed to the pandemic-era supply chain disruptions, cargo congestion, and a surge in consumer sales, with more anchored vessels running on polluting auxiliary engines and an increase in truck and train activity.
Community groups representing 400,000 residents say that new proposed rules to electrify the ports do not go far enough or fast enough to clean up the dirty air. Environmental advocates are calling for stricter regulations with enforceable targets to clean up other sources of port pollution, such as harbor craft. They also urge the acceleration of deadlines for zero-emission trucks and cargo equipment, with some calling for the South Coast Air Quality Management District to adopt long-delayed regulations to hold the port complex accountable for reducing pollution.
The South Coast Air Quality Management District has published a draft of a proposed rule that would require the two ports to develop a plan by August 2027 to build charging and fueling stations to transition to electricity and hydrogen power. However, environmental groups argue that the ports have been delaying action and that the air district's rule needs to be broader and more effective in reducing port pollution.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Port of Long Beach is one of the biggest sources of air pollution in the LA basin.
The pollution from the port has been linked to respiratory illnesses, asthma attacks, heart and lung diseases, and cancer.
Efforts are being made to electrify the port and transition to zero-emission trucks and cargo equipment. A new queuing system for ships has also helped to reduce emissions.
