Targeted Monitoring, Outreach, and Education: Traditional Brick Kilns, San Luis Rio Colorado, Sonora Arizona State University: Dr. James R. Anderson In collaboration with Regional Center for Border Health: Claudia Ulloa Servicios de Salud de Sonora: Dr. Marco A. Ramirez Wakamatzu and Arizona Dept. of Environmental Quality UPDATE

Funding from USEPA Region 9 (through BECC in 2007)

Outline: 1.Indoor monitoring of PM10 in two houses and a school in two colonias ladrilleras. 2. Survey of families in colonias. 3. Relocation issues

1.About 130 brick kiln sites in the urban area of San Luis Rio Colorado, Sonora, concentrated within three small colonias ladrilleras (that were part of previous relocation program by city). 2.Brick-makers’ families live at the brick-making sites. 3.Some of the local schools are either near to or surrounded by brick kiln sites. 4.Lead in the aerosol is an issue because of use of painted boards as fuel. 5.On-going effort by city to relocate brick-makers (again) to area south of city limits near wastewater treatment plant (but have families stay at current locations). Background

Active burning stage – about 1 day, black smoke dominated by soot, fine soil dust, and “brown carbon”. Smoldering phase another 2 days. Plume tends to stay close to surface for significant distances.

Indoor monitoring of PM10 House in Colonia Mezquite II - in kitchen area (also had an outdoor monitor) House in La Grullita – in main room of house on shelf School in La Grullita – in Director’s office Used DustTrak (TSI, Inc.) instruments, small portable laser- based PM monitors

House in Colonia Mezquite II, Outdoor monitor: 10/31-11/14/07 Average PM10 = 259 micrograms/cubic meter (AQI = 153, Unhealthy) Kitchen area: 10/31-11/14/07 Average PM10 = 228 (AQI = 137, unhealthy for sensitive groups) (5-minute measurements)

PM10 AQI Good Moderate Unhealthy for sensitive groups Unhealthy Very unhealthy >425> 300 Hazardous For 24-hour averages of PM10 (micrograms/cubic meter)

AQI= 400, Hazardous

AQI = 52, just into Moderate Range

(Unhealthy) (Unhealthy for sensitive groups)

House in La Grullita, Colonia Topahue, about 0.5 km from school 10/31/-11/14/07 Average PM10 = 270 micrograms/cubic meter (AQI = 158, Unhealthy) (Maximum value was 10,900)

(Very unhealthy)

(Unhealthy)

School in La Grullita, Colonia Topahue 10/31-11/14 Average PM10 = 86 (Moderate)

Surveys 10 nurses under the direction of Dr. Wakamatzu conducted the surveys in December and January. Approximately households were contacted and asked to take the survey. A total of 197 agreed to participate, 69 in La Grullita and 128 in Colonia Mezquite II. 60 children under 3 years of age 351 under 19 years of age Brochures about Asthma were given out to the families. (Approx. 500 brochures distributed)

COPD: La Grullita (69 households) Children with Asthma – 6 Adults with Asthma- 3 People with other pulmonary diseases – 3 Colonia Mezquite II (128 households) Children with Asthma- 10 Adults with Asthma – 5 People with other pulmonary diseases – 10 (Other respiratory problems reported: pneumonia, bronchitis, respiratory infections, allergies.)

Mezquite II Awareness Are you aware of the secondary effects caused by the smoke of the brick kilns? 87% responded yes Did you know that lead causes health problems? 86% responded yes Did you know that some materials, like smoke from burning painted boards, contain lead? 55% responded yes 2% did not answer or did not have any comment.

La Grullita Awareness Are you aware of the secondary effects caused by the smoke of the brick kilns? 83% responded yes Did you know that lead causes health problems? 83% responded yes Did you know that some materials, like smoke from burning painted boards, contain lead? 57% responded yes 10% did not answer or did not have any comment.

Brick Makers Grullita – 17 homes out of 69 homes visited were brick makers. (25%) Mezquite II– 13 out of 128 homes visited were brick makers. (10%) (These colonias were created in an earlier relocation effort and originally meant to have only have brick makers living in them)

For Brick Makers in Mezquite II 1. Do you use painted boards? 100% said no 2. Do you use tires to make bricks? 92% said no; 8% no comment 3. Do you know if other brick makers use painted boards or tires for making bricks? 85% said no; 15% no comment 4. Would you like the brick kilns to be moved to the south of the city? 62% said yes; 23% said no; 15% no comment 5. If they teach you new ways to make bricks, would you change? 85% said yes; 8% said no; 7% no comment.

For Brick Makers in La Grullita 1. Do you use painted boards? 100% said no 2. Do you use tires to make bricks? 100% said no 3. Do you know if other brick makers use painted boards or tires for making bricks? 12% said yes; 88% said no 4. Would you like the brick kilns to be moved to the south of the city? 47% said yes; 24% said no; 29% no comment 5. If they teach you new ways to make bricks, would you change? 76% said yes; 12% said no; 12% no comment.

Relocation to new site south of city:

In November 2007 we were told by the brick makers that 9-12 brick operations had moved, involving about 30 men. Brick makers mentioned the following problems - Limited water Mosquitoes from wastewater lagoon Startup costs for infrastructure (some modest outside funding would be helpful) Economic disadvantage relative to those who have not relocated. Distance to family home

The southern edge of San Luis R.C. will probably reach here in 5 years, so relocation is only a temporary solution.

Things to do: 1. Further treatment of survey results. 2. School absentee data and burning permits for La Grullita. 3. Design and print handout on health problems associated with brick kiln smoke, including lead from burning painted boards. 4. Continuing education and outreach efforts by Regional Center for Border Health and Servicios de Salud de Sonora.