As Freight Hubs Expand, Millions Face Growing Air Pollution Burdens

The report, Addressing Freight Pollution at the Source: Air Pollution, Freight Facility Clusters, and the Role of Indirect Source Rules, finds that areas near clustered freight facilities have elevated environmental and health burdens, exposing these communities to higher amounts of diesel pollution and unhealthy air and elevating their risk of developing cancer.

The report examines how the nation's freight system is affecting people as e-commerce growth drives the expansion and concentration of large freight hubs, such as bigger clusters of warehouses and larger ports. Nearly 80% of residents living near the highest concentrations of freight facilities are people of color. People of color comprise roughly 40% of the national population.

"Freight pollution is not distributed equally, and neither are its health consequences," said Sam Wilson, the report author and a senior analyst at UCS.

The analysis shows a clear relationship between freight facility concentration and increasing pollution burdens in nearby communities. It also shows that state and local policymakers have the tools available to reduce harmful emissions and better protect those who live closest to freight operations.

Of the 66.4 million people UCS identified living near freight facilities and corridors in the contiguous United States, 27 million live near two or more freight facilities and more than 1.7 million people live near more than 10 facilities.

Communities near more than 10 freight facilities experience average diesel particulate matter concentrations that are more than 85% higher than the national average. They are also subject to more than twice as many days with unhealthy ozone levels and 60% more days with elevated fine particulate pollution. Residents in those communities are more than 32% more likely to develop cancer from air toxics exposure.

Indirect source rules (ISRs) target freight pollution hot spots to protect communities most at risk, according to the report. ISRs require freight facilities to address the pollution generated by the trucks, trains, ships and equipment their operations attract. These policies can provide facilities with flexible options to reduce emissions, including installing electric charging infrastructure and electrifying equipment.

For example, in Southern California, ISRs have helped accelerate the use of zero-emission trucks and lower pollution near freight hubs, according to the report.

"The significant progress made in reducing pollution from trucks is under threat by both increasing freight activities and a lack of federal leadership," Wilson said. "ISRs are a flexible and feasible policy tool for state and local governments to address air pollution near freight facilities while also supporting the transition to a more sustainable freight system on a wider scale."