The Livable Blog

Making our communities better places to live and grow.

Freeway air pollution linked to brain damage in mice - LA Times

04/08/11

10:07:11 am, by edoherty

, 235 words

Categories: Gateway, Livable Region, Environment, Transportation, South Fraser Perimeter Road

Freeway air pollution linked to brain damage in mice - LA Times

Read this, and then think about all the politicians that want to build the South Fraser Perimeter Road freeway right beside schools in North Surrey. Then think about the idea of building the North Fraser Perimeter Road through New Westminister.

Maybe it is time to invest the Gateway billions in electric public transit and passenger rail instead.

Freeway air pollution linked to brain damage in mice

Los Angeles Times

April 7, 2011 | 7:29 am

FREEWAY It is well known that air pollution from cars and trucks on Southern California freeways -- a combination of soot, pavement dust and other toxic substances -- can cause respiratory disease, heart attacks, cancer and premature death.

Now, exposure to pollution particles roughly one-thousandth the width of a human hair has been linked to brain damage in mice, including signs associated with memory loss and Alzheimer’s disease, according to a USC study in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives. . .

In an interview, lead author Todd Morgan, a research professor in gerontology at USC, said, “Our data would suggest that freeway pollution could have a profound effect on the development of neurons and brain health in children and young kids, especially those who attend schools built alongside freeways.”

“So limiting one’s exposure -- especially children’s exposure -- to freeway pollution is essential to control asthma, cardiovascular conditions and cognitive development,” Morgan said.

Full text - http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/greenspace/2011/04/freeway-air-pollution-brain-damage-mice.html

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The Livable Blog

Our goal as the Livable Region Coalition (LRC) is to provide a voice for those who believe that efficient and sustainable transportation is a cornerstone for the future of the Lower Mainland. We believe that through creating attractive transportation choices, encouraging urban density, and preserving green space and agricultural land, we can make our communities better places to live and grow.

We believe that the provincial government's strategy to pursue excessive development through the Gateway project is detrimental to the well-being of Greater Vancouver. The Gateway project's stated goals of reducing pollution and congestion will not materialize. Evidence for this comes from many sources. Instead, we advocate real solutions that will actually work and will be less expensive.