Carson residents consistently breathe in harmful pollutants daily. The maximum short-term non-cancer health effects following just 1 hour of exposure to Shell/Equilon’s oil storage facility are 30% higher than that of those outlined by state health based guidelines. These pollutants have many deleterious effects. Our goal is to make residents more aware of this issue and effect change in Equilon/Shell’s oil storage facility. A recent meeting with Shell and Equilon leadership was brought upon by the cancer risk index surpassing the public notification threshold of ten in one million. The South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD) is responsible for creating thresholds. In this meeting the leaders indicated that the cancer risk index was at twenty-two in one million, three short of their risk reduction threshold. We believe the gap between the thresholds is too large to justify Equilon’s inaction. In addition, cancer is not the only adverse health risk these facilities pose.  During this meeting, Shell/Equilon mentioned this facility’s main source of air pollution comes from the benzene and particulate matter released from the diesel fuel used in their trucks and equipment. 

     Diesel is a major contributor to TRAP (traffic-related air pollution). TRAP includes pollutants such as VOCs (volatile organic compounds) like benzene, NOx (nitrous oxides), SOx (sulfur oxides), CO (carbon monoxide), and PM (particulate matter). Science has shown that these TRAPs have adverse effects on the central nervous system and can cause neurodegenerative disease and neurodevelopmental disorders. Diesel exhaust and benzene are also known carcinogens, with evidence linking it to lung cancer, leukemia, and more. 

We are calling for the following goals to be met*:

• Formation of a resident database to ensure residents are informed
  • Residents come and go but the effect of Equilon’s facility is lifelong. Residents must be informed. It is imperative that a database is formed to collect contact information from current and past residents. This database will allow exposed residents to learn of past exposure levels. This is especially important considering that emission levels are measured every 4 years.
• Providing residents in the affected area with in home emission monitors
  • This measure ensures residents stay informed and do not have to wait 4+ years to learn of emission levels. The meeting called in July 2020 was to present 2015's emission levels. With monitors, residents will be able to make more informed decisions about controlling their level of exposure. This also adds a level of accountability for Equilon.
• Adding catalytic converters in truck engines to lower exhaust toxicity 
  • Catalyzing a redox reaction in the internal combustion engine reduces toxic gas/pollutants. Exhaust particle traps have also proven to be effective in reducing PM emissions from diesel vehicles. 
• Provide IQ filters for homes that desire it (www.iqair.com/us )
  • The IQAir HealthPlus Pro is a high performance air purifier that can reduce up to 99.5% of pollutant particles down to 0.003 microns.
• Formation of an accountability committee and inclusion of community members
  • Accountability is crucial when people’s health are at risk. Equilon should form a committee with members from many different parties including but not limited to: Shell/Equilon, Environmental Protection Agency, South Coast Air Quality Management District, Carson city staff, Carson Environmental Commission members, and community members. Many community members feel they are uninformed and uninvolved. It is critical to make sure the decision makers are not limited to people who are largely unaffected by this health crisis.  
• Reduce risk reduction threshold
  • This index is currently set at 25, while the public notification index is set at 10. The risk reduction threshold should be lowered so reduction practices can be put in place earlier. 
• Discussion of other health risk indexes
  • Cancer is not the only adverse disease caused by Equilon’s pollutants. Residents should be informed of all prominent health risks. Currently, AQMD has one hazard index to address non-cancer health risks. Separate thresholds should be specified for other health risks.

*this list is open to amendments and additions

Sources:

https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer-causes/diesel-exhaust-and-cancer.html

https://www.iqair.com/us/blog/air-quality/outdoor-air-pollution-effects-on-indoor-air