Railyards

Railyard operations emit harmful air pollutants that impact nearby community members. In the East Los Angeles-Boyle Heights-West Commerce area there are five large railyards and in the Wilmington-Carson-West Long Beach area there are nine railyards, many of which are located near residential areas. The trains and other equipment at these railyards emit diesel particulate matter – a damaging pollutant that can cause inflammation of the lungs and lead to lung cancer. In fact, long-term exposure to diesel particulate matter poses the highest cancer risk of any toxic air contaminant evaluated by California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. The trains at the railyards also emit other harmful compounds, including particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, and nitrogen oxides.  

Image of railyard. Credit: John F. Gannon.

AQMD has the power and authority to regulate railyards and must do so in order to address Southern California’s air pollution problems. AQMD must implement an Indirect Source Rule in order to both reduce the pollutants emitted by railyard operations and to require the electrification of new railyards by the end of 2023. The People’s Collective for Environmental Justice (PCEJ) fights against pollution and works to build the health, well-being, and self-reliance of community members. PCEJ is advocating for an Indirect Source Rule for railyards. Find out more about PCEJ’s work on their website.

Members of PCEJ.