Our Environment & Health in Southwest Detroit & South Dearborn

Over the past two years, more than 150 residents of Southwest Detroit and South Dearborn came together to identify priority environmental issues and choose solutions to pursue. In such a heavy-industrial area, we have a lot of problems that affect our health in many ways—from the air we breathe, to the lead paint in-side our homes, to how we feel with houses decaying around us affecting our quality of life. This project, known as Community Action for a Renewed Environ-ment, or CARE, was paid for with funding from the Environmental Protection Agency to help us focus community efforts on what is most important. After community members identified more than 100 issues of concern they chose sev-eral priority issues, and now working groups continue to plan actions. This brief report describes some issues and solutions! See more up-to-date information at

www.sdevweb.org. To get involved with solution projects or take part in CARE efforts, please contact (313) 842-1961.

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AIR QUALITY Southwest Detroit and South Dearborn host large and small industries, truck traffic, freeways,

rail, and a border crossing--all of which contribute to air pollution and odors. Among the indus-tries we have the state’s only oil refinery, three steel mills, and one of the nation’s largest wastewater treatment plants that serves three counties. Air pollution, like diesel from trucks and emissions from smoke stacks, contains many toxic chemicals that can have harmful effects on health and well-being. The pollution can increase cancer risk, decrease lung function, trigger asthma symptoms, cause or worsen heart disease, and make it harder to be out-doors. The combined impacts of all pollution sources are a serious problem for the community, but there are things businesses can do to lower toxic pollution they release into the air. Adding special filters to trucks or replacing old engines can reduce diesel pollution. Some local industries, like the steel companies and Marathon, have added some new pollution controls. But many in-dustries have yet to make upgrades to better control pol-lution, like at the wastewater treatment plant. Smaller industries, like auto body shops, can make procedure changes that would improve our health, and businesses can plant vegetation or rinse truck tires to decrease dust in our air. What you can do: Always report strong odors, dark smoke, excessive dust and other suspected pollution to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality: (313) 456-4700.

SOLUTION PROJECTS CURRENT: Distributing refrigerator magnets on how to call-in a pollution/odor complaint CURRENT: Continue work with local companies to reduce diesel emissions with filters and new en-gines for trucks and equipment CURRENT: Continue planting vegetation in key spots to reduce dust IN PROGRESS: Advocate for upgrades to the Waste-water Treatment Plant IN PROGRESS: Inform small polluting businesses about practices to reduce pollution using new EPA guidelines PROPOSED: Form Air Advisory Board so community stakeholders can influence permits and other air quality issues.

Adding green space in

Southwest Detroit would improve quality of life by re-ducing impacts of pollution, adding beauty and recrea-tion opportunities, and increasing property values. Sev-

eral local organizations have developed plans for adding trees, greenways, parks, and other landscaping in SW. Planting can also help beautify problem areas, like around scrap yards that are violating codes. SW Detroit also has many contaminated abandoned sites that are not clearly marked with signs or secured, which are especially danger-ous to children. Planting can be a helpful barrier. Many large transporta-tion projects are also occurring in SW. A new bridge may be built from the Delray community to Canada, and the rail yard will be expanded between Livernois and Wyoming. Both pro-jects would increase truck traffic and pollution and cause many changes to community access with road closures. Truck traffic on residential streets is already a major problem. Setting new truck routes will increase safety and im-prove quality of life. To learn more about greening, contact Greening of Detroit at (313) 237-8733 or www.greeningofdetroit.org. To be informed about transportation developments and efforts to guarantee benefits for the community, contact the Community Benefits Coalition, cbc@delraycbc.org, and visit www.delraycbc.org.

There are nearly 4,500 abandoned homes in Southwest Detroit that endanger the health and well-being of residents. They attract fires and illegal drug use, are danger-ous for children and animals playing around them, are costly for the pub-lic to remove, and can contaminate the land. Almost 20% of vacant lots in Detroit are in SW Detroit. Paying close attention to houses when they first become abandoned is a way to deter arson and other crime, and to save

them for future use. Abandoned buildings and lots also attract illegal dumping, lower property values, and raise insurance costs for area homeowners. Dumped tires are especially dangerous because they increase the risk of fires and attract infectious mosquitoes. SDEV collected nearly 5,000 tires in 2008-09 and schedules regular clean-ups. Report abandoned buildings or illegal dumping: (313) 224-INFO (4636), or 311 from landlines. The Detroit Vacant Property Cam-paign has resources to help identify property ownership and ways to save houses before it’s too late: (313) 224-3215, www.officemanager.law.officelive.com

Our Environment & Health in Southwest Detroit & South Dearborn

ABANDONED BUILDINGS & ILLEGAL DUMPING

SOLUTION PROJECTS CURRENT: Become an SDEV Neighbor-hood Champion—Encourage residents to report abandoned buildings and pressure the City to take care of prop-erties. To get involved, call Kathy at (313) 842-1961. IN PROGRESS: Continue Tire Sweeps & Clean Up days to collect tires and trash. PROPOSED: Deconstruct abandoned buildings to create jobs and recycle

SOLUTION PROJECTS IN PROGRESS: Continue work to set new truck routes and address impacts of transportation projects IN PROGRESS: Plant vegetation be-tween land uses, like schools/playgrounds and industries. PROPOSED: Good Neighbor Program--Contact scrap yards about how they can improve by fixing fences, planting trees, and stopping violations. PROPOSED: Encourage the City to en-force codes and ticket violations.

LAND USE

The rate of asthma hospitaliza-tions in Southwest Detroit and South Dearborn is more than double the rate for Michigan residents. Asthma trig-gers, such as dust, smog, industrial and diesel pollution,

and strong odors, are high in our community. Keeping air healthy inside homes is important to reduce asthma attacks, especially for children. Common asthma triggers in the home include: mold, dust, pet hair, cockroaches, tobacco smoke, scented products (personal and clean-ing), strong smells and fumes, and hot or cold air. The best way to reduce asthma symptoms and attacks is to: keep bedrooms and kitchens clean, wash bedding often, never smoke indoors,

ASTHMA

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SOLUTION PROJECTS PROPOSED: Distribute Healthy Homes magnets with tips to reduce asthma triggers PROPOSED: Home visits about ways to reduce asthma triggers, prevent lead poisoning, and improve indoor air quality PROPOSED: Program to help low-income families obtain special vac-uums, air filters, and air conditioners PROPOSED: Fund asthma specialist and program in community due to address air pollution

Our Environment & Health in Southwest Detroit& South Dearborn

Southwest Detroit and South Dearborn residents are at a high risk for childhood lead poisoning be-cause most homes were built before 1978 when paint contained lead. Children with lead in their bod-ies can suffer from brain damage, behavior and learning problems, kidney or heart disease, and even

death. Properly cleaning and making sure wall paint is not chipping, cracking or peeling can help pre-vent children from getting poisoned with lead. Young children should never be present during any home rehabilitation, and areas must be properly cleaned to rid the home of all lead dust. All children ages 1 to 6 years old should be tested every year but only 50% of SW children are being tested. Children can get tested through the City health department, Wayne County, and the State. Head Start also tests all enrolled children. Home rehab work is common in SW, so many workers bring home lead dust on clothes and expose children: Always follow wet-cleaning safe practices. For information on lead poisoning Prevention call CLEARCorps Detroit at (313) 924-4000 or visit www.clearcorpsdetroit.org

LEAD POISONING

SOLUTION PROJECTS CURRENT: Distributing magnets with tips on lead testing and preventing lead poisoning IN PROGRESS: Distribute educational materi-als to local hardware stores about lead safe work practices for home rehabs. PROPOSED: Conduct home visits to inform on reducing lead exposure PROPOSED: Reach landlords to take action on violations PROPOSED: Bilingual lead safe work practice trainings for local construction workers.

The City of Detroit is the largest U.S. city without a citywide curbside recycling program. The Detroit incinerator burns about 800,000 tons of trash every year, with more than half coming from outside De-troit, releasing 50,000 pounds of toxic pollutants into the air. Southwest Detroit residents and busi-nesses have several locations that offer recycling. Accepted materials differ at each location:

• Recycling at Kemeny Recreation Center: 2260 S. Fort, Daily 8:30am-12:30/1:30-4pm (winter hours)

• Corktown Recycles at Roosevelt Park--2rd Saturday/month from 10-2pm • Clark Park Recycles on the 4th Saturday/month from 8am-noon. • Bulk Drop-off & recycling: 5840 Anthon, Daily 8:30am-12:30/1:30-4pm (winter hours) • Businesses & Multi-Housing: Recycle Here offers pick up services. For more information on materials accepted, contact Recycle Here at (313) 876-0449 or www.recyclehere.net, or City of Detroit at (313) 224-INFO or www.detroitmi.gov

SOLUTION PROJECTS CURRENT: Work with Zero Waste group to pressure the City to stop incinerator and implement citywide curbside recycling PROPOSED: Encourage restau-rants in SW Detroit and Dearborn to recycle and use environmen-tally-friendly products, like carry-out containers made from sugar instead of Styrofoam.

RECYCLING

air out the house frequently, avoid homes with pets, use unscented products, get regular inspections of gas/oil appliances, avoid space heaters. To reduce mold and mildew: keep bathrooms and kitchens well aired, use a dehumidifier in the base-ment and vent clothes dryers to the out-side. Changing furnace filters regularly and having heat ducts cleaned-out will help. Special vacuums and vacuum bags are also made to reduce allergy and asthma symptoms. For information about local asthma studies, contact Community Action Against Asthma at (734) 647-6882.

Free Magnets Available—Call SDEV for yours!

Handy Call List MDEQ: Odor/Pollution Reporting: (313) 456-4700 State Rep. Rashida Tlaib: (877) TLAIB-12 or (313) 841-2240 or (517) 373-0823 Lead Poisoning: (313) 924-4000 Recycle Here: (313) 876-0449 Greening of Detroit: (313) 237-8733 Vacant Property Campaign: (313) 964-1192 ACCESS: (313) 842-5150 City of Detroit Numbers: Non-Emergency Reporting: (313) 267-4600 Environmental Affairs: (313) 471-5100 Detroit City Services: 311 or (313) 224-4636

Neighborhood City Hall: (313)-628-2180 Fire Depart.: (313) 596-2900 or (313) 596-1442 Arson Investigation: (313) 44ARSON Dangerous Buildings: (313) 224-3215 Recycling: (313) 224-INFO Soil Testing Info: (313) 237-8773 Broken Water Mains: (313) 267-7401 Animal Control- Stray Dogs: (313) 224-6356 Detroit Health Dept: (313) 876-4000 Human Services: (313) 852-5609 General Services: (313) 628-0900 City Council: (313) 224-3443

Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision (SDEV) SDEV is a nonprofit organization that has been working since 1993 to improve the environment and economy of Southwest Detroit by communicating environmental risks and solutions, being an advocate for better community development, and expanding common ground to address issues, including: air quality, contaminated sites, pollution prevention, blight & illegal dumping prevention, land use, environ-mental justice and environmental education in schools and the community.

8701 W. Vernor Hwy, Detroit, MI 48209 • Phone: (313) 842-1961 • Fax: (313) 842-2158

CARE.sdev@gmail.com • www.sdevweb.org

Thanks to all CARE Partners! Over 150 residents • ACCESS • American Lung Association •Bridging Communities • CHASS • City of Detroit Health & Wellness Promotion •

CLEARCorps Detroit • Community Action Against Asthma • Cummins Bridgeway • De-troit City Council President Ken Cockrel’s Of-fice • Detroit Dept. of Environmental Affairs •

Detroit Vacant Property Campaign • Ford Motor Company • Friends of the Detroit River • Green-ing of Detroit • Marathon Petroleum • MDCH •

MDEQ • MDOT • Michigan Environmental Council • New Day Center • People’s Commu-nity Services • SEMCOG • SEMCOSH • Sever-stal • SDDC • SDBA • SW Detroit Community Benefits Coalition • State Rep Rashida Tlaib’s Office • Uof M– Dearborn • Uof M – Ann Ar-bor • Urban Neighborhood Initiatives • US-

EPA • Wayne Co. Department of Environment

The Environmental Voice of Southwest Detroit

Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision P.O. Box 09400

Detroit, MI 48209

Phone: (313) 842-1961 Fax: (313) 842-2158

Email: swdev@flash.net

Visit Our Website: sdevweb.org