Safer Homes for the Uprooted in a Basin of Toxicity

Abstract (English)

Pacoima, a community of more than 73,000 people, is located in the northeast San Fernando Valley in the City of Los Angeles. According to the 2023 U.S. Census Data over 85% of Pacoima residents are Latino and approximately 7% are African American. Pacoima’s foreign-born population is 40%, more than double the rate in the United States; with 90% born in Latin America. There are numerous sources of pollution throughout Pacoima. The community is surrounded by three major freeways, and a commuter airport that has more than 300 planes flying over the community each day. It is home to more than 300 industrial uses that have left contaminants behind or continue to pollute the air, soil and water. The community is bisected by a railroad line. Pacoima is home to 5 US EPA Cerclis/Superfund toxic release sites. Concerns are for the cumulative impact from contaminants such as lead in paint and in the soil, toxic release sites, diesel from trucks and equipment, landfills, and the use of toxic chemicals in the community. Geographically, Pacoima is a natural flood basin surrounded by mountains that trap smog, diesel particulates and other pollutants. This “basin of toxicity” creates adverse health conditions for residents, particularly for children who comprise a third of Pacoima’s population. Pacoima neighborhoods face challenges ranging from aging and inadequate housing stock to environmental endangerment. There are indicators that Pacoima’s natural environment may exacerbate the exposure to lead dust, as the community is susceptible to high winds during parts of the year. Aerial photos show Pacoima as having the fewest number of trees and ground cover in the area. Lack of ground cover is especially problematic on open spaces in the community because the dust particles scatter throughout the community. There is no vegetation along the railroad right of way or nearby Whiteman airport to buffer the community from lead dust exposure from transportation sources. The area’s environmentally compromised landscape has inspired a grassroots urban ecology organization, Pacoima Beautiful, whose work includes the Community Inspectors, residents who learn how to identify and reduce or eliminate hazardous waste in their neighborhood and toxic sites in the community. The organization’s Safer Homes for a Healthy Community is also led by residents who become trained as peer health educators, or Promotores, to provide preventive information on lead, asthma, pesticides and other environmental home hazards to Pacoima residents. More than 300 families now live in lead-free homes, and thousands of others receive valuable information to create safer environments for themselves and their children. This presentation focuses on how to frame and communicate risks to residents with limited residential mobility, health care access, health literacy and socioeconomic resources.