M3.4 Air Pollution

Who and what are the top polluters in your zip code? 

• Top polluters: Owens Corning Corp., Hanson Permanente Cement, and Strongwell Corp.
• Top Pollutants: Ammonia, formaldehyde, Hydrochloric acid

What percent of the homes in your zipcode have lead-based paint? 

• 10% of homes in my area were found to have lead-based paint

Are there Superfund sites in your zip?  

• A Superfund site is an area that has been determined to be a cleanup area by the EPA. These sites contain hazardous waste that poses a threat to human health and the environment. 
• There are no Superfund Sites in my zipcode

What can you tell us about the Superfund sites that are near where you live?

• There are 2 Superfund sites near where I live. The sites are Fairchild Semiconductor Corp. and Lorentz Barrel & Drum Co.
• Fairchild Semiconductor Corp.: At this location, there were many solvents used that contain volatile organic compounds. This affected the soil and groundwater.
• Lorentz Barrel & Drum Co: Soil and groundwater were both contaminated at this location however it doesn’t say with which chemical. This was a waste drum reconditioning and recycling facility. 

What did you learn about the air quality in your zipcode? 

• Based on the Air Quality Index, I learned that the air quality within my neighborhood is good. 

How about the water quality? 

• The water quality was also good. According to the EPA, water utility was in compliance with federal health based drinking standards. This is because the water utility in my zip code has its own treatment plant and water supply.  

How did your zipcode fair on a social justice / environmental justice basis? 

• In all categories, when it comes to both social justice and environmental justice, people of color and those with lower income were more burdened when it comes to toxic chemicals, cancer risks, hazardous air pollutants, etc.