Map shows area of concentration of diesel Particulates

There is a large and growing body of research documenting that diesel truck emissions adversely affect public health. The particulate matter (PM) released from combustion engines poses serious health risks such as heart attacks, strokes, lung cancer and asthma. 

Local cities and towns that have more industrial complexes than Lancaster, generate more diesel traffic and have higher asthma rates than we do. https://www.mass.gov/service-details/risk-factors-for-asthma A table comparing Lancaster and Leominster is below.

A 100,000 square-foot warehouse would generate about 58 truck trips/day according to the widely accepted reference Trip Generation. The traffic study for the proposed Lancaster Landing warehouses, noted that this project will generate 800 truck trips/day and create over 2.4 MILLION sq. ft. of floor space. 

While residents living closest to the warehouses (within 2 miles) will have the greatest risk of adverse health impacts, the traffic that creates the diesel particulates will spread throughout town. Particulates will be worse where cars and trucks queue and idle, such as at the new lights along 117, Main St, and Lunenburg Rd. 

The table above is taken from information on the website below that compares asthma rates in Massachusetts.communities.

https://matracking.ehs.state.ma.us/Health-Data/Asthma/hospitalization.html#MyPopup