Blog # 11

The Bayview Hunters Point neighborhood has historically been the industrial center of the City of San Francisco. The area’s land uses include a mix of industrial and residential uses, together with some of the City’s major freight transportation system. Due to this pattern of development, the health of local residents has been affected by environmental contamination of the community’s soil, water, and air. When driving the environmental health movement in southeast San Francisco, there is a clear sense of urgency and duty to protect current and future generations from toxic chemicals linked to cardiopulmonary diseases, cancers, neurological and immune diseases, behavioral disorders, birth defects and infant mortality rates. These sources can be generally described as activities that burn diesel fuel, and are categorized as mobile sources and stationary sources such as off-road construction equipment and diesel generators. Trucks and buses are responsible for most of all Diesel PM emissions within BHP. The majority of truck activity in the area occurs on Highway 101 and Interstate 280, with additional truck traffic on arterial streets such as Cesar Chavez Street, 3rd Street, Cargo Way, Evans Avenue, and Bayshore Boulevard. A variety of strategies can reduce the emissions of Diesel PM in the BVHP neighborhood and the exposure of BVHP residents to Diesel PM. These strategies can be grouped into three broad categories. Technological strategies targeting engines, exhaust, and fuels. Operational strategies targeting vehicle operation, traffic patterns, and driver behavior. Health care providers have the responsibilities in educating their patients about the effects of environmental toxins.