Press Releases

Homeowners Can Now Apply for City of San Diego’s Low or No-Cost Lead Paint Hazard Abatement Services

San Diego residential lead abatement program is the result of a multi-million dollar legal settlement

Thursday, April 18, 2024

SAN DIEGO – Lead paint is the primary source of childhood lead poisoning, and thanks to a multi-million-dollar legal settlement with three paint companies, the service to remove toxic lead hazards – a process called abatement – is available for little or no cost to those who qualify. Homeowners in San Diego city limits can now apply for lead abatement services through the City of San Diego’s new San Diego Residential Lead Abatement Program (SDRLAP).

“After years of litigation against the lead paint industry, the City can finally use the recovered funds to provide essential abatement services to impacted neighborhoods,” said City Attorney Mara W. Elliott. “Scientific research shows that lead exposure imperils the health and safety of our residents and their children. The City’s abatement program should help alleviate those risks.”

The City’s abatement program is the result of a settlement reached between three paint companies and 10 California jurisdictions. ConAgra Grocery Products Co., NL Industries Inc. and Sherwin-Williams Company agreed to pay into a fund to remove toxic lead paint hazards from residential properties, with San Diego being awarded $15 million. The primary purpose of the funding is to remediate lead paint hazards in low- to moderate-income areas.

“Lead exposure through deteriorated lead paint continues to be one of the biggest environmental health concerns facing children today,” said Environmental Services Department (ESD) Program Manager Jessica Weislogel. “Reducing and preventing exposure through abatement activities is one way to help children live healthier lives.”

Lead poisoning can cause adverse effects on a child’s development and later in adulthood. In San Diego County between 2017 and 2021, 231 children under the age of six received services from the San Diego County Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (CLPPP) due to lead poisoning. Even small levels of lead in a child’s blood can cause permanent damage including developmental, health and behavioral problems. More information about the effects of lead poisoning is available at sdhealthyhomes.org.

The City is currently accepting SDRLAP applications from anyone who owns residential property. Properties that qualify for the program will be inspected and abated of lead hazards if they are present. In some cases, temporary relocation of residents may be required during abatement activities, and in those cases, temporary relocation services will be provided. All services will be conducted with confidentiality. Renters are encouraged to learn more about the program and to work with their landlords, as only residential property owners can apply.

To apply or get more details, contact Laura at 619-768-8047, or LauraB@environmentalhealth.org.

About the Environmental Services Department (ESD):
ESD ensures that City of San Diego residents have a clean and safe environment. The department pursues waste management strategies that emphasize waste reduction, recycling and composting, and environmentally sound landfill management.

San Diego’s Air Pollution Control District’s mandated installation of an Odor Control System at New Leaf Biofuel’s South Plant in Barrio Logan is proving to be effective in reducing odors

For several years, Barrio Logan residents endured the harmful effects and sickening odor from New Leaf Biofuel facility located on the corner of Newton Ave and Sicard St.

In response to months of community complaints and organizing led by Environmental Health Coalition, the San Diego Air Pollution Control District (SDAPCD) Hearing Board ordered New Leaf to install an odor control system. They installed a system that has been operating for over a month and residents have documented noticeable improvement with the smell in the neighborhood.

Brenda Menchaca a resident living near the Biofuel plant explains, “I’ve noticed a huge difference in the neighborhood. Our family is hanging out in the yard more and I feel like, in a lot of ways we got our neighborhood back!”

While the recent odor improvement in Barrio Logan is a welcomed change, the work to improve air quality continues. “This is a huge victory for our community. This whole experience proves that change is possible, and that the enforcement systems at SDAPCD work,” said Nicholas Paul Air Quality Advocate with EHC, “While we celebrate this victory, we know that there are other significant sources of air pollution in Barrio Logan. Our community is energized and ready to continue our fight to reduce those pollutants.”

EHC and impacted residents will continue to monitor the neighborhood for odors from New Leaf and will work with SDAPCD to address any changes.

If you have an air quality complaint, please report it to APCD by calling (858) 586-2650 or e-mailing apcdcomp@sdapcd.org

EHC and community activists win the fight against Mitsubishi Cement Corporation’s (MCC) proposed mega-cement warehouse at the Port of San Diego. The massive distribution center could have doubled lung-damaging diesel truck traffic in Barrio Logan and West National City

SAN DIEGO, CA, FEBRUARY 1, 2023 – In response to years of opposition from Barrio Logan and National City residents, community organizations, and environmental groups, the Port of San Diego announced today that negotiations with MCC have stalled in it’s bid to construct and operate a mega-cement warehouse at the Port of San Diego’s Tenth Ave. Terminal in Barrio Logan.

This massive industrial operation would have imported cement materials and up to 10,500 diesel-polluting lung-damaging truck tripspast homes, schools, and parks in Barrio Logan and West National City. Diesel pollution is known to cause cancer, asthma, and other chronic diseases.

“This would never have been proposed in a community like Coronado, so why do Logan and National City have to continually fight for the right to breathe clean air?” asked Julie Corrales, Barrio Logan Policy Advocate, Environmental Health Coalition. “The reason is environmental racism. Today, we celebrate our victory but also send a clear message to decision-makers: do not allow proposals like MCC to come forward again. The community is clear – no more diesel death.”

The Board of Port Commissioners rejected the same proposal from MCC in 2020. They gave MCC a strong and clear directive to develop measurable zero-emission (ZEV) truck requirements for the project. In those two years, MCC failed to present any plans for ZEV trucks.

“Mitsubishi disrespected the community by refusing to come forward with any plans to use zero emission trucks,” said Diane Takvorian, co-founder of the Environmental Health Coalition (EHC). “They also underestimated the strength, commitment and persistence of residents who pushed back hard – refusing to allow more deadly pollution in our communities,” she continued. “EHC is hopeful that the Port and other potential tenants are mindful of their promise to be a good neighbor and we look forward to working with the Port to recruit responsible industries.”

Barrio Logan and West National City, low-income communities of color, breathe more diesel pollution than 90% of the state. MCC’s warehouse, which would distribute 600,000 metric tons of cement materials a year- 35% of MCC’s total production – would be locatedwithin a mile of Cesar Chavez Park and Perkins Elementary School. Children in these communities already have double the overall county’s asthma hospitalization rate.

“Our children and families deserve clean air, good health and a decent place to live,” said Maritza Garcia, a second-generation Logan Heights resident. “The MCC proposal would have created more deadly pollution, more asthma, and more cancer risk. We said NO and we won!”

More than 800 community members emailed or wrote letters to the Port Commissioners calling on them to reject MCC’s proposed cement warehouse. A coalition of community activists, environmental justice advocates, educators, and faith leaders rallied and protested at the Port building in December and more than 30 testified in opposition to the proposal.

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ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH COALITION

Founded in 1980, Environmental Health Coalition (EHC) builds grassroots campaigns to confront the unjust consequences of toxic pollution, discriminatory land use, and climate change. Visit www.environmentalhealth.org to learn more.