According to California Senate Bill 352 which became law in 2003, "Cars and trucks release at least forty different toxic air contaminants, including, but not limited to, diesel particulate, benzene, formaldehyde, 1,3-butadiene and acetaldehyde. Levels of these pollutants are generally concentrated within 500 feet of freeways and very busy roadways." Not surprisingly, studies have shown that the closer a school is to a major road and the more traffic on the road, the worse the health of the students. Not only diseases like asthma, bronchitis and pneumonia are involved, but one study found an increase in the risk of developing cancer, including leukemia. The article raises the question of who is watching out for our children?
Thanks to Bill Barker, AICP
