Nitrogen dioxide levels rise near large e-commerce warehouses, increasing asthma risks for nearby residents, according to a NASA-funded study.
Hiroko Tabuchi reports for The New York Times.
In short:
- NASA-funded research found nitrogen dioxide pollution jumps 20% near large warehouses.
- The study identified 150,000 warehouses, noting higher pollution at the busiest hubs.
- Minority communities are disproportionately affected, inhaling more pollutants near warehouses.
Key quote:
“The average warehouse built since about 2010 looks a lot different than the warehouses that were built prior to that, with lot more loading docks, a lot more parking spaces.”
— Gaige Kerr, lead author and assistant research professor at George Washington University.
Why this matters:
Nitrogen dioxide, a byproduct of fossil fuel combustion, is commonly released from diesel trucks and machinery used in warehousing and logistics operations. Prolonged exposure to elevated levels of this pollutant is linked to respiratory issues, including asthma and decreased lung function, with children and the elderly being especially vulnerable. Communities of color often face disproportionate exposure to nitrogen dioxide due to the strategic placement of warehouses in or near their neighborhoods
