The American Lung Association has been involved in Barrio Logan air quality for several years, as community and government organizations work to monitor air quality and minimize the health impacts of pollution on neighborhood residents.
During 2002, San Diego County Supervisor Greg Cox has been holding community meetings to discuss what can be done for residents and businesses in Barrio Logan affected by the seriously high levels of toxic Hexavalent Chromium (Cr6). Cr 6 is a heavy metal, carcinogenic and toxic to humans. The California Air Resources Board conducted tests in December 2001 and warned San Diego County Officials about the high Cr 6 measurements. The testing found that some Barrio Logan residents are exposed to as much as 28 times the limits allowed by pollution regulations.
The news touched off demonstrations by the Environmental Health Coalition and community residents.
On May 24, 2002, Superior Court Judge Charles Wickersham extended a temporary halt of chrome plating operations conducted by Master Plating, located at 2109 Newton Ave. The ban will continue until a public hearing is conducted on the company's compliance with pollution rules. The ban on chrome plating was imposed in March. Chrome plating comprises five percent of the firm's work, which also consists of nickel and copper plating.
The questions remaining for the Barrio Logan community are:
- Are there other chrome businesses in the area that are contributing to the elevated levels of hexavalent chromium in the community?
- How can the community plan be revised to restore the historical residential area and relocate the manufacturing that is polluting the community?
- What other types of pollution is affecting the community? (One example: toxic particulate matter from diesel emissions.)
Meanwhile, government agencies continue a schedule of working group meetings under the Federal Interagency Environmental Justice Demonstration Project, specially targeted to Barrio Logan. The American Lung Association of San Diego & Imperial Counties has a representative in the Regulatory Enforcement and Pollution Prevention working group.
