The American Lung Association has released a new report titled “Getting Health on Track: Cleaner Locomotives for Healthy Air,” which addresses the health risks associated with outdated diesel locomotives in the United States. According to the report, trains remain a significant source of nitrogen oxides and diesel particulate matter, both of which are linked to lung disease, heart disease, cancer, and premature death. In addition to these pollutants, trains emit greenhouse gases that worsen health challenges connected to climate change.
Most passenger and freight trains in the U.S. still use diesel engines that were built decades ago. While federal regulations like the “Tier 4” emissions standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2008 limit emissions from newer locomotives, older engines can remain in service due to regulatory loopholes and are not required to reduce their emissions.
“Trains are a serious source of toxic pollution, especially for rail workers and communities near railyards, ports and major transit hubs,” said Harold Wimmer, President and CEO of the American Lung Association. “Modernizing locomotive standards isn’t just about cleaner air—it’s about saving lives, reducing cancer risk and ensuring that communities and workers are not left behind. The technology exists today to eliminate these emissions, but outdated regulations and decades-old engines continue to put people’s health at risk. Federal action is needed now to deliver cleaner air for everyone.”
Rail yard workers experience high exposure levels to diesel exhaust, which is classified as a human carcinogen. Long-term exposure has been associated with chronic respiratory illnesses, lung cancer, heart disease, persistent coughing, shortness of breath, headaches, and higher asthma rates among workers and their families.
Communities located near railyards, ports, and transit hubs—such as those in Chicago, Houston, and Los Angeles—are disproportionately affected by locomotive pollution.
The report identifies existing technologies capable of significantly reducing emissions from trains. It calls on the EPA to update its standards so that these technologies can be implemented nationwide.
In support of these recommendations, 29 national, state and local health organizations as well as 597 individual signers have joined the call for updated federal locomotive emission standards.
The full report can be found at Lung.org/locomotives.
