Citizen science and stakeholders involvement
Metztli hernandezAnnotation of
In response to
CITIZEN SCIENCE
Epistemic negotiation
Stakeholders (indigenous groups, activist, scientist, scholars, etc)
BIA, Custodial Deaths & "A Black Hole for Accountability"
Kim FortunAnnotation of
In response to
The Bridge: A Black Hole for Accountability
Missing data about deaths in BIA custody raises serious alarm — and emphasizes the many ways our federal government is still failing to protect tribal nations.
“When it comes to the way the federal government interacts with Indigenous communities, accountability is like a black hole,” Maren said. “This instance is not an anomaly.”
CVV now has a large staff
Kim FortunAnnotation of
In response to
CCV now has a 5-member Board of Directors (including founder, Jose Luis Velez, and a large staff. See details. Includes many community health workers, and a few air monitoring technicians.
Kim Fortun Comite Civico del Valle, Imperial County, CA
Kim FortunAnnotation of
CCV originated from the grassroots in 1987 and is now a 501 (c)(3) organization. It was founded and continues to support disadvantaged communities in Imperial County, with a strong emphasis on civic participation. A key principle, which guides all CCV projects is that “ “Informed People Build Healthy Communities.”
CCV’s most well known program is the IVAN community air network.
Kim Fortun: Comite Civico del Valle, Imperial County, CA
Kim FortunAnnotation of
CCV originated from the grassroots in 1987 and is now a 501 (c)(3) organization. It was founded and continues to support disadvantaged communities in Imperial County, with a strong emphasis on civic participation. A key principle, which guides all CCV projects is that “ “Informed People Build Healthy Communities.”
CCV now has a 5-member Board of Directors (including founder, Jose Luis Velez, and a large staff. See details. Includes many community health workers, and a few air monitoring technicians.
CCV’s most well known program is the IVAN community air network.
Recently, CCV participated in the Workers’ Rights Outreach Program (“a statewide initiative that brings community-based organizations together with state agencies to promote COVID-19 workplace protections and vaccinations).
Air traffic. hazards (include lead)
Kim FortunAnnotation of
See this recent article about how (piston-engine) airplanes contribute to lead contamination.https://capitalandmain.com/faa-must-move-faster-to-remove-leaded-fuels-from-the-skies
And this article about how airport expansions happen (likely without much downwind input): https://www.ocregister.com/2019/04/30/orange-county-faces-balancing-act-with-john-wayne-airport-plans/
Gardening labor is especially socially vulnerable
Kim FortunAnnotation of
Community interviews have found that many household have members that are gardeners. Research has shown that garndening labor is especially socially vulnerable and hard to protect through organizing. See: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1M5_McMmsbcb_s2Qn17XtnFQ3HBeC2hcfYSBYrqmDB-0/edit?usp=sharing . Also see Sal Zarate's work: https://www.zotero.org/groups/130725/disastersts/collections/ICRQQ8PM
Pesticide hazards in gardening labor
Kim FortunAnnotation of
MPNA-GREEN's Community Research Board is conducting community interviews and learned that there are professional gardeners in many households, which likely comes with significant exposre to pesticides, likely brining them home to their families. See, for example, this recent study: https://www.ehn.org/glyphosate-childrens-health-2659484037.html, and there is always worries about endocrine disrupting chemicals in ag work.
EiJ Ethylene Oxide News and Public Commentary
LaurenAnnotation of
In response to
Most recent news (As of September 2022) focuses on the EPAs naming of 23 EtO sterilization plants as high risk. This announcement enables local leadership, environmental organizations and legal partners to assess human health risks while focusing on reducing EtO emissions, as outlined by the EPA. Most recent news (As of September 2022) focuses on the EPAs naming of 23 EtO sterilization plants as high risk. This announcement has enabled local leadership, environmental organizations and legal partners to assess human health risks while focusing on reducing EtO emissions, as outlined by the EPA. This release by the EPA has prompted activism in the communities affected by EtO sterilization facilities. As noted by EarthJustice on the news, “Raul Garcia, legislative director for Healthy Communities at Earthjustice: ‘This is an important and welcome step to increasing transparency on the toxic air pollution and health threats that sterilizer facilities pose to the health of millions of Americans. Now that EPA has new information on precisely where the worst health threats are, the agency must use its full authority to ensure public health so no one gets cancer from this pollution and require fenceline monitoring at these facilities. Now, EPA must issue a strong new rule that phases out the use of ethylene oxide at commercial sterilizers. No one should get cancer from facilities that are used to sterilize equipment in the treatment of cancer.’ “. In addition, one major article edited and published by ProPublica sparked both outrage but in addition, change. The article The Most Detailed Map of Cancer-Causing Industrial Air Pollution in the U.S. details
EiJ Ethylene Oxide Activism
LaurenAnnotation of
In response to
Activism has prompted more indepth research, increased acquisition and availability of EtO industry data, and increased focus on EtO as a carcinogen and toxin. This hazard was recognized fully by the EPA between 2016-2018 which led to increased assessment and acknowledgement of EtO as a toxin.