The environmental and traffic impacts of warehouses in southern California
Priyanka deSouza, Sudheer Ballare, Deb Niemeier
Abstract
Economic growth over the last few decades along with increasing household consumption has led to a rapid expansion of the warehousing industry. Research has shown that warehouse facilities tend to be disproportionately sited in low-income minority communities. Warehouses can generate significant environmental externalities making the siting of warehouses a major environmental justice concern. We investigate the relationship between the warehouse activity in southern California and a range of health-based risks for communities residing nearby, after controlling for important socio-demographic characteristics. Our results reveal a significant association between warehouse activity and air pollution, noise levels and traffic collisions.