The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #49576

Paula Murrain, BS, MCP Hahnemann University School of Public Health, 245 N. 15 th Street, 11th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19102, 215-844-2155, pdm26@drexel.edu, Morris Fine, Philadelphia Department of Public Health- Air Management Services, 321 University Avenue, 2nd Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19104, and David Tollerud, MD, MPH, School of Public Health, MCP Hahnemann University, 1505 Race St. 11th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19102.

Controlled building implosions provide municipalities with an important and increasingly common tool for urban renewal. However, the large amount of dust generated by a building implosion lingers around the implosion site creating potentially harmful ambient air pollution. To address these public health risks, the city of Philadelphia has developed some of the most extensive and thorough implosion safety and outreach procedures in the country. This project examines records from a past building implosion in Philadelphia. The many City agencies involved in the planning, implementation and clean up of this particular building implosion are identified, and the steps that each agency has taken to ensure the health of residents are defined. Documents pertaining to the implosion are being reviewed in order to gain a better understanding of the procedures surrounding the implosion. Lead, asbestos, and dust sample data that was collected before and after the implosion are being examined and compared to EPA pollution guidelines. The data are also mapped using GIS software to observe how lead and dust particles were dispersed during the implosion. Public outreach materials are being examined for readability and accuracy of health information. Results from this project will lead to further refinement and improvements in the City’s procedures to ensure that the health of residents living near implosion sites. At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will be able to discuss the procedures that the City of Philadelphia has created to ensure the public health of the community living near an implosion site.

Learning Objectives:

• To discuss the procedures that the City of Philadelphia has created to ensure the public health of the community living near an implosion site.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.