Dire health effects of pollution reported

"By a more favorable climate," Anderson said, "I don't mean Southern California. I mean in terms of air pollution, a less-polluted environment."

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janet.wilson@latimes.com

The construction pollution report can be found online at www.ucsusa.org/clean_vehicles

The draft regulations can be found at

http://arb.ca.gov/msprog/ordiesel/workshops.htm

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Under construction

A report released Tuesday found serious health damage tied to construction related air pollution from diesel powered equipment.

Health damage from construction pollution in the South Coast Air Basin: (estimated number of cases in 2005)

Premature deaths: 731

Respiratory hospitalizations: 383

Cardiovascular hospitalizations: 274

Asthma and other lower respiratory symptoms: 20,941

Acute bronchitis: 1,729

Lost work days: 123,439

Minor restricted activity days: 959,839

School absences: 175,339

Cities* in South Coast counties in the top 10% for risk

of health damage from pollution caused by construction equipment:

Los Angeles

- Long Beach

- Los Angeles

- Santa Clarita

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Orange

- Irvine

- San Clemente

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Riverside

- Corona

- Murrieta

- Riverside

- Temecula

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San Bernardino

- Chino

- Fontana

- Rancho Cucamonga

- San Bernardino

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* Listed in alphabetical order by county

Source: Union of Concerned Scientists