HEALTH EXPERTS, SIERRA CLUB CHALLENGE HIGHWAY AUTHORITY TO CONSIDER LAS VEGAS HIGHWAY CANCER RISKS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 22, 2002
Contacts: Jane Feldman (702–648–0699)
Joanne Spalding (415–977–5725)
Dr. Ronald Rosen (702–254–2453)
Leana Hildebrand (702–375–1667)
MONDAY, APRIL 22
On Monday, the Sierra Club and health experts announced a new effort to require the Federal Highway Administration to consider and mitigate the increased risk of cancer before expanding Hwy–95. The Sierra Club kicked off their campaign on Earth Day, Care for America Day, here in Las Vegas by announcing that they have filed a lawsuit under the National Environmental Policy Act.
The Sierra Club’s suit will require the federal government to study the research showing that an expanded Highway 95 will increase the risk of cancer to nearby children and other residents. Further, they want the Federal Highway Administration to mitigate for any increased health risks. Their aim is to protect school children and people live and work near the highway.
Two major health studies released in 2000 demonstrate a connection between vehicle emissions and the risk of cancer in communities adjoining heavily traveled highways. One considered all cancers, one studied childhood leukemia. A third, recent study looked at lung cancers and other cardiopulmonary diseases.
Dr. Ronald Rosen, an associate professor of medicine and a pediatric hematologist/oncologist, said, “We already know that we have major health problems associated with air pollution in Las Vegas?asthma, bronchitis, allergies, and more. But these studies suggest the impacts may also include more cancer risks, and that’s something every Las Vegan should be concerned about.”
Jane Feldman, Conservation Chair for the Toiyabe Chapter, Sierra Club, said, “We asked the Federal Highway Administration to consider these major studies and they refused. So we asked independent scientific experts to analyze whether these studies have relevance for our community. They concluded ? clearly - our children and our neighborhoods are put at risk with this expansion project! They estimated that the increased exposure to air pollution will likely result in 1,446 cancers per million people! And still the Highway Administration will not study the risk.”
The Hwy–95 project will widen five miles of the highway from six to ten lanes. Two elementary schools, a high school, two community centers, a day care facility, twenty–seven apartment buildings, and over 380 single family residences abut this stretch of the highway.
Leana Hildebrand, native Las Vegan and spokesperson for the Sierra Club, noted, “It’s bad enough that Las Vegas has the highest level of asthma in the country and fails to meet Clean Air Act standards for major air pollutants. Now we hear that emissions from increased traffic levels lead to increased risk of cancer! We need to be sure our neighborhoods are protected.”
Ms Feldman concluded, “It is possible to make transportation safe here in Las Vegas ? we can design highway projects that consider all the risks, we can get cleaner fuel and cleaner cars, we can provide the public with transportation choices ? so all of us can breathe easier!”
Also Provided:
the complaint
A Summary of Recent Studies
the JAMA
EHE study
EHE letter
Resource Systems study
URL for MATES II:http://www.aqmd.gov/news1/MATES_II_results.htm
the Denver study from the JAWMA
Breathe Easier ? Demand Transportation Choices! Bumper stickers
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