professor and director of community outreach and education for the Southern California Environmental Heath Sciences Center at the University of Southern California's Keck School of Medicine, thinks Chicagoans need to pay closer attention to the issue.



"Much more attention needs to be paid to reducing emissions at existing rail yards and ensuring that new rail yards are not built near homes and schools," she said, noting that California community groups have been struggling with this issue for years.

Community activism in California has played a significant role in shaping policy and pushing for railroad industry changes. In fact, the Air Resources Board studies were conducted largely because of pressure from groups concerned about rail yard pollution affecting minority neighborhoods.



Jones said a similar approach is needed on Chicago's South Side.



"We have so much else going on in Englewood, it's not a top priority," he said. "But we need to make it a priority." ...