I have been a resident in Malibu for eight years. As an Australian I`m embarrassed that BHP Billiton would propose the Cabrillo Port facility with onshore winds delivering hundreds of tons of pollutants yearly to densely inhabited seaside communities such as Point Dume and West Malibu. Burning of fossil fuels at the offshore port would inevitably lead to increased concentrations of nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides, carbon monoxide and particulate matter in the coastline air. The adverse health effects of these air pollutants have been well documented in the medical literature and are featured in the US EPA Report published in 1997.
Up until now Malibu residents-including infants, pregnant women and those with cardiac and respiratory problems-have enjoyed the benefits of breathing relatively fresh air.
I`m appalled at the prospect of this offshore port and plant with its inherent consequences of increased fetal malformations, infant respiratory disease, asthma and cancer in our local population. Elderly Malibu citizens with chronic bronchitis, emphysema and cardiovascular disease would be particularly vulnerable to chest pain and breathing difficulties.
As a resident of Malibu I appreciate the good air quality we currently enjoy. As a physician I clearly see the potential injury to our health that would result from the US EPA permitting Cabrillo Port. Therefore I implore the US EPA to refuse this permit.
Dr. Henry Warszawski