Breathe At Breathe At Your Own RiskYour Own Risk

Environmental Justice, Environmental Justice, Community Health & Community Health &

AsthmaAsthma

Kathryn Kathryn AlcantarAlcantarEnvironmental Health AssociateEnvironmental Health Associate

WE ACT for Environmental WE ACT for Environmental JusticeJustice

Who is WE Who is WE ACT?ACT?

MissionMission: To build community : To build community power to fight environmental power to fight environmental racism and improve racism and improve environmental health, policy environmental health, policy and protectionand protection

StrategiesStrategies::Community organizing, Community organizing, communitycommunity--based participatory based participatory research, research, policy advocacy &policy advocacy &sustainable developmentsustainable development

Environmental Health & Environmental Health & Environmental JusticeEnvironmental Justice

Racial disparities in health and in Racial disparities in health and in environmental exposures are not a environmental exposures are not a coincidencecoincidencePublic health approach & strategiesPublic health approach & strategies

Eliminate or minimize environmental Eliminate or minimize environmental exposures exposures Focus on preventable exposuresFocus on preventable exposuresIncrease or improve environmentally Increase or improve environmentally healthy amenitieshealthy amenities

Environmental Health & Justice: Environmental Health & Justice: Environmental ExposuresEnvironmental Exposures

Environment: where we live, work play & prayEnvironment: where we live, work play & prayBuilt Environment: IndoorsBuilt Environment: Indoors

Pesticides and pestsPesticides and pestsMoldMoldLeadLead

Built Environment: OutdoorsBuilt Environment: OutdoorsAir QualityAir QualityAccess to Access to greenspacegreenspace & recreation& recreationAccess to nutritious foodAccess to nutritious foodPlanning of healthy communities Planning of healthy communities

Environmental Health & Justice: Environmental Health & Justice: AsthmaAsthma

Health DisparitiesHealth DisparitiesPrevalence in black children 237% of whites Prevalence in black children 237% of whites (2001)(2001)Mortality rate for people of color 2.5x higher Mortality rate for people of color 2.5x higher (2000)(2000)East Harlem with highest childhood morbidity East Harlem with highest childhood morbidity –– 3x 3x citywide average and 6x national averagecitywide average and 6x national average

Environmental Links to Asthma TriggersEnvironmental Links to Asthma TriggersIndoors: mold & pests Indoors: mold & pests Outdoors: diesel, particulate matter & ozoneOutdoors: diesel, particulate matter & ozone

What are Diesel What are Diesel Emissions?Emissions?

Diesel Diesel ““SootSoot””Fine Particulate Matter (PMFine Particulate Matter (PM2.52.5))Contributes 10Contributes 10--30% of ambient fine PM in 30% of ambient fine PM in citiescities

NOxNOx emissions contribute to ozone emissions contribute to ozone formationformationAir toxics/ Air toxics/ VOCsVOCs can attach to particles can attach to particles & be carried into lungs& be carried into lungs

What are the Health Effects What are the Health Effects of Diesel?of Diesel?

Triggers asthma attacksTriggers asthma attacksAcute respiratory effectsAcute respiratory effectsAssociated with increased risk of lung cancerAssociated with increased risk of lung cancerFine Particulate Matter (PMFine Particulate Matter (PM2.52.5))

Increase in death rates from heart problemsIncrease in death rates from heart problems

NOxNOx OzoneOzoneAsthma: exacerbation and possibly causation Asthma: exacerbation and possibly causation

Air Toxics (Air Toxics (PAHsPAHs))Reduced Reduced birthweightbirthweight & pre& pre--term birth: in term birth: in uterouteroexposure to exposure to PAHsPAHs in air pollutionin air pollution

Evaluating DieselEvaluating Diesel’’s Impacts ImpactWorld Health Organization: World Health Organization:

probable human carcinogenprobable human carcinogenEnvironmental Protection Agency: Environmental Protection Agency:

likely carcinogenlikely carcinogenCalifornia Air Resources Board: California Air Resources Board:

Toxic Air ContaminantToxic Air ContaminantSouth Coast Air Quality Management District: South Coast Air Quality Management District: 71% of cancer risk from on71% of cancer risk from on--road vehicles road vehicles attributable to dieselattributable to diesel

Diesel as an EJ IssueDiesel as an EJ IssueCommunities of color more likely to host Communities of color more likely to host diesel sources diesel sources –– often in close proximityoften in close proximityAsthmatics more vulnerable to health Asthmatics more vulnerable to health impactsimpactsChildren are more vulnerable & face high, Children are more vulnerable & face high, involuntary exposuresinvoluntary exposuresLife cycle of diesel (oil extraction & Life cycle of diesel (oil extraction & refining) has global impacts on refining) has global impacts on communities of colorcommunities of color

CASE STUDYCASE STUDY

WE ACTWE ACT’’SSDiesel CampaignDiesel Campaign

Breathe At Your Own Risk:Breathe At Your Own Risk:Strategies & TacticsStrategies & Tactics

Grassroots OrganizingGrassroots OrganizingMedia WorkMedia WorkLegal ActionLegal ActionPolicy & Government AccountabilityPolicy & Government AccountabilityCivil Rights ComplaintCivil Rights ComplaintStrategic Alliances Strategic Alliances CommunityCommunity--Based ResearchBased Research

Breathe At Your Own Risk:Breathe At Your Own Risk:Background & HistoryBackground & History

1988 WE ACT begins organizing1988 WE ACT begins organizing1996 collaborates with Columbia 1996 collaborates with Columbia 1997 begins media campaign1997 begins media campaign2000 files Civil Rights complaint2000 files Civil Rights complaint2003 holds community protests in 2003 holds community protests in response to opening of new East response to opening of new East Harlem DepotHarlem Depot

Why Work on Diesel?Why Work on Diesel?Extent of local diesel emissions & health Extent of local diesel emissions & health impactsimpactsWE ACT involved in issues of air quality & WE ACT involved in issues of air quality & asthmaasthmaIn 1988 MTA started building the 6In 1988 MTA started building the 6thth bus bus depot in Northern Manhattandepot in Northern ManhattanApproached a physician at Harlem Hospital Approached a physician at Harlem Hospital to assess actual burden of asthmato assess actual burden of asthmaMade connections with researchers at Made connections with researchers at Columbia University School of Public HealthColumbia University School of Public Health

135th Street Marine Transfer Station

135th Street Marine Transfer Station

ManhattanvilleManhattanvilleMTA Bus DepotMTA Bus Depot

Breathe at Your Own Risk: Earth Breathe at Your Own Risk: Earth Crew Conducting Air MonitoringCrew Conducting Air Monitoring

Study Study Results Results

PublishedPublishedin The in The

Uptown Uptown EyeEye

Breathe at Your Own Risk:Breathe at Your Own Risk:1997 Media Campaign Launch1997 Media Campaign Launch

Media Campaign Media Campaign OutcomesOutcomes

Governor and head of MTA Governor and head of MTA blitzed with postcardsblitzed with postcards1999 Governor asks MTA to 1999 Governor asks MTA to commit to: commit to:

All new public bus facilities All new public bus facilities housing alternative fuel buseshousing alternative fuel busesConversion of 5 depots to Conversion of 5 depots to CNG, including CNG, including ManhattanvilleManhattanville

Increased public awarenessIncreased public awarenessAlliance with Transit Alliance with Transit Workers Union & NRDCWorkers Union & NRDC

Civil Rights Complaint Civil Rights Complaint BackgroundBackground

1998 Walnut Depot in the Bronx abruptly closed 1998 Walnut Depot in the Bronx abruptly closed after building sold to NY Post after building sold to NY Post 202 buses sent overnight to No. Manhattan 202 buses sent overnight to No. Manhattan

NO community consultation, and NO community consultation, and NO capacity or plan to accommodate those busesNO capacity or plan to accommodate those busesBuses parked on street & in adjacent lotsBuses parked on street & in adjacent lots

Northern Manhattan depots house 1400 buses, Northern Manhattan depots house 1400 buses, nearly onenearly one--third of the entire NYCT fleet. third of the entire NYCT fleet. Nearly half of routes housed uptown have no Nearly half of routes housed uptown have no local stops.local stops.

Garbage Truck Depot Behind Homes in East Harlem

Garbage Truck Depot Behind Homes

in East Harlem

New Bus Depot Construction in East Harlem

Breathe At Your Own Risk:Breathe At Your Own Risk:Civil Rights ComplaintCivil Rights Complaint

Fall 2000, WE ACT files Title VI civil Fall 2000, WE ACT files Title VI civil rights complaint with DOTrights complaint with DOT

In response to MTA parking lot addition to In response to MTA parking lot addition to the Kingsbridge depotthe Kingsbridge depotCiting past studies and knowledge of Citing past studies and knowledge of health impactshealth impactsIncluding a GIS mapping and demographic Including a GIS mapping and demographic analysisanalysis

In 2001, MTA requests a dismissal & In 2001, MTA requests a dismissal & WE ACT respondsWE ACT responds

September 7September 7thth 20032003Downtown Depot Downtown Depot ClosedClosed

Only 1 of 2 downtown Only 1 of 2 downtown depotsdepotsIn an industrial area, In an industrial area, away from homes away from homes 200 buses sent 200 buses sent elsewhereelsewhereLeaving only one Leaving only one depot south of 99depot south of 99thth

street

Uptown Depot Uptown Depot OpenedOpened

5th of now 6 uptown 5th of now 6 uptown depotsdepotsIn a densely populated In a densely populated residential communityresidential community116 diesel116 diesel--fueled fueled articulated buses articulated buses garagedgaragedNO emissions controls NO emissions controls on the buildingstreet on the building

September 7September 7thth Community ProtestCommunity Protest

100th Street Bus Depot – Completed

Breathe At Your Own Risk: Breathe At Your Own Risk: Campaign OutcomesCampaign Outcomes

Resident Oversight Council created Resident Oversight Council created comprised of leaders from 6 depots in comprised of leaders from 6 depots in Northern Manhattan Northern Manhattan

MTA agrees to meet with ROC to MTA agrees to meet with ROC to address depotaddress depot--specific problemsspecific problemsOrganizing continues to ensure Organizing continues to ensure ManhattanvilleManhattanville depot converted to CNGdepot converted to CNGWE ACT increases State legislature WE ACT increases State legislature advocacy to increase accountability and advocacy to increase accountability and transparency of MTA transparency of MTA

Conclusion: The Battle ContinuesConclusion: The Battle ContinuesOngoing Struggles with the MTA:Ongoing Struggles with the MTA:

Poor relationship with community Poor relationship with community Decisions are made without much public Decisions are made without much public involvement (Announce & Ignore)involvement (Announce & Ignore)State legislation introduced to decrease State legislation introduced to decrease lack of accountability & transparency lack of accountability & transparency

DOT denies Civil Rights ComplaintDOT denies Civil Rights Complaint

WE ACT continues to train & WE ACT continues to train & organize community leadersorganize community leaders

WE ACT/Columbia continues to WE ACT/Columbia continues to monitor air quality around depotsmonitor air quality around depots

For More InformationFor More InformationKathryn Kathryn AlcantarAlcantar

WE ACTWE ACT271 West 125271 West 125thth

Street, Street, Suite 308Suite 308

New York NY New York NY 1002710027

kathrynkathryn@weact.org@weact.org212212--961961--1000 x. 1000 x.

314314

ReferencesReferencesNational Center for Health Statistics, National Interview SurveyNational Center for Health Statistics, National Interview Survey

2001. in American Lung Association. In American Lung Association2001. in American Lung Association. In American Lung Association, , Trends in Asthma Morbidity and MortalityTrends in Asthma Morbidity and Mortality, Epidemiology & , Epidemiology & Statistics Unit, March 2003Statistics Unit, March 2003

National Center for Health Statistics, National Hospital DischarNational Center for Health Statistics, National Hospital Discharge ge Survey, 1998Survey, 1998--2000. 2000.

Meyer, Pamela A, Timothy Meyer, Pamela A, Timothy PivetzPivetz, Timothy A. , Timothy A. DignamDignam, David M. , David M. HomaHoma, , Jaime Schoonover, Debra Brody. Surveillance for Elevated Blood Jaime Schoonover, Debra Brody. Surveillance for Elevated Blood Lead Levels Among Children Lead Levels Among Children -- United States, 1997United States, 1997----2001 2001 MMWR MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report) (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report) 2003 (Vol. 52, No. SS2003 (Vol. 52, No. SS--10). Center for Disease Control and Prevention. 10). Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

BobakBobak, M. Outdoor Air Pollution, low birth weight, and , M. Outdoor Air Pollution, low birth weight, and prematurityprematurity. . Environmental Health Perspectives 108(2): 173Environmental Health Perspectives 108(2): 173--176, 2000. 176, 2000.

McConnell Rob, McConnell Rob, KirosKiros BerhaneBerhane, Frank Gilliland, Stephanie J London, , Frank Gilliland, Stephanie J London, TalatTalat Islam, W James Islam, W James GaudermanGauderman, Edward , Edward AvolAvol, Helene G Margolis, , Helene G Margolis, John M Peters. Asthma in exercising children exposed to ozone: aJohn M Peters. Asthma in exercising children exposed to ozone: acohort study. The Lancet 2002; 359: 386cohort study. The Lancet 2002; 359: 386--391. 391.

ReferencesReferencesGargGarg R, R, KarpatiKarpati A, Leighton J, Perrin M, Shah M. Asthma Facts, A, Leighton J, Perrin M, Shah M. Asthma Facts,

Second Edition. New York City Department of Health and Mental Second Edition. New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, May 2003. Hygiene, May 2003.

Woodruff, Tracey, Jennifer D. Parker, Amy D. Kyle, and Kenneth CWoodruff, Tracey, Jennifer D. Parker, Amy D. Kyle, and Kenneth C. . SchoendorfSchoendorf. 2003. . 2003. ““National Disparities in Exposure to Air Pollution National Disparities in Exposure to Air Pollution during Pregnancy.during Pregnancy.”” Environmental Health Perspectives. 111:942Environmental Health Perspectives. 111:942--946. 946.

New York City Coalition to End Lead Poisoning New York City Coalition to End Lead Poisoning ““Newly Elected City Newly Elected City Council Members SignCouncil Members Sign--on to Intro 101on to Intro 101”” press release, April 9, 2003. press release, April 9, 2003. On file with author. On file with author.

PereraPerera, FP, , FP, RauhRauh V, V, WhyattWhyatt, RM, Tsai, WY, , RM, Tsai, WY, BernertBernert, JT, , JT, TuTu, YH, , YH, Andrews, H, Ramirez, J, Andrews, H, Ramirez, J, QuQu, L and D Tang. , L and D Tang. ““Molecular Evidence of Molecular Evidence of an Interaction Between Prenatal Environmental Exposures on Birthan Interaction Between Prenatal Environmental Exposures on BirthOutcomes in a Multiethnic Population.Outcomes in a Multiethnic Population.”” Environmental Health Environmental Health Perspectives Perspectives 112:626112:626--630 (April 2004)630 (April 2004)