San Diego Air Pollution Linked to Daily Deaths, Asthma

Vehicle pollution contributes to a significant health burden in San Diego County, with an estimated one death and one new pediatric asthma case occurring daily due to tailpipe emissions.

Nationally, a report by the International Council on Clean Transportation highlights that traffic-related air pollution is responsible for more than 8,300 early deaths and approximately 5,500 pediatric asthma diagnoses each year. Medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, including trucks and buses, are identified as the largest contributors to this pollution.

San Diego County's high number of warehouses and its status as California's fifth-largest freight hub exacerbate the issue, directly connecting freight infrastructure to the observed health impacts. Families living near freeways, warehouses, and freight corridors face elevated risks of asthma attacks, missed school days, and long-term heart and lung disease.

Efforts to mitigate these health harms are underway, focusing on transitioning to zero-emission vehicles. The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System already operates 40 battery-electric buses and plans to add more. State policies, such as rebates for new electric vehicle purchases and potential expanded incentive programs for electrifying trucks, aim to accelerate this shift.