SAN DIEGO AIR DISTRICT POSTPONES VOTE TO REDUCE CANCER-CAUSING DIESEL POLLUTION FROM WAREHOUSES
Coalition of environmental justice advocates and concerned residents vow to continue fighting for a warehouse indirect source rule to reduce lung-damaging diesel pollution after San Diego Air Pollution Control District (SD APCD) governing board postpones a vote on the issue.
SAN DIEGO, CA, APRIL 10, 2026 – On April 9, 2026, after listening to more than 30 public comments the SD APCD governing board postponed (continued) their vote on developing a ISR to reduce air pollution from warehouses and distribution centers, indicating the delay would allow them more time to have a robust discussion on the matter. Currently, San Diego County does not have any regulations to prevent or reduce cancer-causing air pollution from warehouses, distribution centers, or highways.
“We remain committed to ensuring San Diegans get an ISR that protects their lungs and holds warehouses and distribution centers responsible for the toxic pollution they generate,” said Jose Franco Garcia, the executive director of Environmental Health Coalition. “Polluters are supporting the SD APCD’s staff recommendation to wait and see, but cancer does not wait and see. We need rules, requirements and incentives NOW to protect people’s health.”
In 2025, Congress used the Congressional Review Act to illegally revoke California regulations, including the Advance Clean Truck rule, which would have reduced diesel pollution by transitioning heavy-duty diesel trucks to zero-emission vehicles. In addition, the EPA has cancelled millions of dollars in clean air funding for San Diego communities, is working to destroy laws that protect residents from polluters, and is making it harder for California to reduce toxic emissions.
“San Diego is at a critical crossroads for clean air and environmental justice. With the withdrawal of the advanced clean fleet regulation and federal rollbacks weakening clean air protections- local action is more urgent than ever.” Said Charles Rilli, Deputy Chapter Director, Sierra Club San Diego “By adopting an indirect source rule, the Air Pollution Control District can protect frontline communities, hold warehouse operators accountable for the pollution they emit, and ensure cleaner air for all,”
Diesel pollution is known to cause cancer, increase respiratory disease, and decrease lung function in children. Barrio Logan, West National City, and parts of San Ysidro breathe more diesel pollution than 90% of communities in CA.
“In Portside communities, we have warehouses where heavy-duty trucks are always coming and going, spewing diesel pollution,” said Alicia Sanchez, a National City resident. “My husband is battling cancer, and the pollution is really bad for his condition. There is no reason to wait; we need a Warehouse Indirect Rule as soon as possible.”
Diesel emissions cause 84% of the cancer risk from air pollution in San Diego’s Portside neighborhoods, and 79% of the cancer risk from air pollution in Border neighborhoods. Children in Barrio Logan and San Ysidro have almost double the rate of asthma emergency room visits than San Diego County as a whole.
“Trucks going to and from warehouses emitting diesel pollution are contributing to worsened health outcomes for our Border and Portside families, as well as greenhouse gas emissions impacting our region at large,” Anthony Dang, Policy and Community Outreach Manager, Climate Action Campaign. “It’s time to end this injustice and prioritize adopting an indirect source rule that relieves these frontline communities from pollution while also advancing our region toward its climate goals.”
On-road mobile sources are the second-highest emitters of diesel pollution in the Portside area, with heavy-duty trucks emitting the most in this group at 43%. Medium and heavy-duty trucks make up only 1% of all vehicles in San Diego County but emit 13% of all diesel particulate matter. The International Border Community has the most warehouses and distribution centers in the county concentrated in only 24 square miles.
“It is evident through research and reports, such as the CalEnviroscreen 5.0 draft, that air pollution in our region is quickly getting worse,” said Valeria Hash, the advocacy and engagement officer for Casa Familiar. “Our health cannot wait. An ISR is a proven method of improving air quality, public health, and reducing climate pollution. We need to start working on a Warehouse ISR now as it is critical to meeting the goals in the region’s emission reduction plans.”
The coalition of environmental justice advocates includes the Environmental Health Coalition, Sierra Club, Climate Action Campaign, Casa Familiar, Earthjustice, Pacific Environment, and San Diego 350.
To learn more, visit bit.ly/sdcleanairrule, and to download the fact sheet, click here.
CONTACT:
Angelica Estrada
angelicae@environmentalhealth.org
562-708-3093
# #
Environmental Health Coalition (EHC) works for environmental justice in the San Diego/Tijuana region and throughout California. Founded in 1980, EHC has worked to reduce pollution and improve health and well-being for thousands of people in underserved, low-income communities.