Sick of Soot

The report finds that diesel pollution caused an estimated 3,000 premature deaths and $21.5 billion in health costs in California in 2004. While new engine standards will reduce emissions over time, the longevity of existing engines means significant health risks persist. The authors argue that full implementation of California's Diesel Risk Reduction Plan and increased funding for the Carl Moyer Memorial Air Standards Attainment Program could prevent 11,000 premature deaths and save between $48 billion and $70 billion by 2020.

• In 2004, diesel pollution in California was estimated to cause 3,000 premature deaths, which exceeds the state's estimated annual homicide rate of 2,300. Other health impacts include 2,700 cases of chronic bronchitis and 4,400 hospital admissions for cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses, totaling $21.5 billion in annual costs.
• Full implementation of the Diesel Risk Reduction Plan could prevent approximately 11,000 premature deaths and 16,000 hospital admissions by 2020, resulting in cumulative health cost savings between $48 billion and $70 billion from 2004 to 2020.
• The South Coast Air Basin is the most impacted region, accounting for more than 30% of California's diesel PM and NOx emissions and nearly half of the state's diesel-related health incidences, including 1,400 premature deaths and $10.2 billion in annual costs in 2004.
• The Carl Moyer Memorial Air Standards Attainment Program is highly cost-effective, with benefits estimated at $9 to $16 for every dollar invested. If funded at $100 million per year for 10 years, it could avoid 1,200 premature deaths and 1,100 cases of chronic bronchitis.
• California's school buses are among the most polluting in the U.S., with some built before 1977. The Lower Emission School Bus Program is designed to replace these vehicles, but it has faced severe budget cuts, falling from $50 million in 2000 to less than $5 million in 2004.
• New engine standards from the EPA and CARB are insufficient on their own because they do not address existing engines, which are the primary source of pollution for the next decade. Current state regulations only address about 15% of diesel pollution sources.
• Diesel exhaust is identified as a significant cancer risk; CARB estimated it was responsible for 70% of the state's risk of cancer from airborne toxics. In 2005, the estimated outdoor concentration of diesel PM could result in 19,000 cancer cases for California's population.

APA

Anair, D., & Monahan, P. (2004). Sick of Soot. Union of Concerned Scientists. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-10/sick_of_soot_full_report.pdf

Chicago

Anair, Don, and Patricia Monahan. Sick of Soot. Union of Concerned Scientists, 2004. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-10/sick_of_soot_full_report.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Anair |first1=Don |last2=Monahan |first2=Patricia |title=Sick of Soot |publisher=Union of Concerned Scientists |date=June 2004 |url=https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-10/sick_of_soot_full_report.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{anair2004sick, author = {Anair, Don and Monahan, Patricia}, title = {{Sick of Soot}}, institution = {Union of Concerned Scientists}, year = {2004}, month = jun, url = {https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-10/sick_of_soot_full_report.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }