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INTERAGENCY COMMITTEE SELECTS BARRIO LOGAN COMMUNITY AS AN ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE PILOT PROJECT

Release Date: 11/13/2000
Contact Information: Wendy L. Chavez, U.S. EPA, 415/744-1588

     Community Is One Of 15 Across Nation Chosen For New Program
                               
      SAN FRANCISCO  An Environmental Justice Interagency Committee has selected the Barrio Logan Community in San Diego as one of 15  pilot projects as part of a new national environmental justice initiative.
                                   
     The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences have joined together  with the California Air Resources Board, the San Diego Air Pollution Control District and the Environmental Health Coalition to find ways of improving air quality in this predominately low- income Latino community.

     "Improving air quality in Barrio Logan will not only improve the health of this community, but will serve as a role model for similar communities throughout the Unites States," said Clarice Gaylord, a Senior Policy Advisor for the EPA's San Diego Border office.  "This program will provide much needed support in our commitment to protecting public health and the environment of this community."

     The Barrio Logan community is a low-income Latino community, criss-crossed by two major freeways, and is subject to the release of 3 million pounds of toxic air pollution each year from numerous small industries, large shipyards, and naval installations adjacent to the area.    

     The EPA's Indoor Air Tools-For-Schools kits will be used to identify indoor air pollution sources in schools and the EPA will also provide resources for the American Lung Association to conduct Open Airways training.   The state Air Resources Board is providing an air monitoring station, and the NIEHS has awarded a $600,000 three-year grant to the USC Environmental Health Sciences Center, the Environmental Health Coalition and the Logan Heights Family Health Center to study the incidence of asthma in children living in the community and to assess potential air pollution sources.
 
     The goal of the project is to improve residents' health in neighborhoods adversely affected by disproportionate environmental impacts.    

          For more information on the Barrio Logan demonstration project contact Clarice Gaylord of the EPA at (619) 235-4767 or Diane Takvorian, Executive Director of the Environmental Health Coalition at (619) 235-0281.