PUBLIC HEALTH ASSESSMENT
VASQUEZ BOULEVARD AND I-70
DENVER, DENVER COUNTY, COLORADO
Health hazard category
ATSDR has determined that soil arsenic levels at many (but not all) of the properties in the VBI70 study area are safe for children and adult with typical soil intake levels. ATSDR, however, is concerned about soil arsenic levels in approximately 650 of the 2,986 properties sampled so far. ATSDR is concerned that these properties have arsenic levels in soil that might pose a public health hazard for soil-pica children who ingest unusually large amounts of soil. Based on EPA's baseline risk assessment, EPA has identified properties as a concern for children with soil-pica behavior if the property has an average arsenic level in soil of 47 ppm or greater. Based on demographic information, about 300 preschool children live in these 650 households and somewhere between 12 to 60 of these children might have soil-pica behavior some time during their preschool years. Depending upon the amount of arsenic contamination in these 650 properties and how much dirt soil-pica children ingest, the most likely health effects that might occur in soil-pica children include nausea, stomach cramps, vomiting, diarrhea, facial swelling, and headaches. No children have been diagnosed with arsenic poisoning in the VBI70 area that can be related to arsenic in soil; however, it is possible that cases could have been missed because the most likely symptoms (nausea, vomiting, etc.) are common symptoms in children that can result from a variety of causes.
Arsenic in soil at some properties is also a public health hazard for long-time residents because of the potential increased risk of cancer from arsenic exposure. This risk is greatest for children who grew up in yards with high levels of arsenic in soil and who continued to live there as adults. Some people who live at the more highly contaminated yards have estimates of arsenic exposure from soil that are similar to the levels in human studies that have been shown to cause cancer in people. Using a mathematical model developed by the EPA to quantitatively estimate cancer risk, a significant potential increase in cancer risk might exist for some long-time residents who live at the more highly contaminated properties. If EPA uses 70 ppm as their clean-up level for arsenic, about 480 properties will be affected.(30) It should be noted that as of spring 2001, EPA has cleaned up about 50 properties so far because of elevated levels of arsenic in soil.
Uncertainty
Some uncertainty exists in deciding whether or not adverse health effects might occur. This uncertainty exists in two areas: estimating how much arsenic people are exposed to (that is, the dose) and determining the health effects that might occur. The uncertainty that exists in estimating the dose for soil-pica children comes from the following issues:
Therefore, a child with soil-pica behavior who lives at a property with arsenic-contaminated soil might not get sick if the child eats soil from an area in the yard with low arsenic levels; or, if the child eats only a small amount of soil, and the amount of arsenic exposure is not enough to cause health effects.
Uncertainty also exists in determining the health effects that might occur because of the following reasons:
No children have been diagnosed with arsenic poisoning in the VBI70 area that can be related to arsenic in soil; however, it is possible that cases could have been missed because the most likely symptoms (nausea, vomiting, etc.) are common symptoms in children that can result from a variety of causes. A more detailed discussion of uncertainty can be found in the Discussion of the Public Health Significance of Contaminants Section.
Uncertainty also exists when determining the possible risk of cancer. These uncertainties include:
ATSDR is planning a health investigation to learn more about soil ingestion in children at the VBI70 site. This health investigation will involve conducting a census of the community, surveying for soil-pica behavior, and conducting lead and arsenic testing of preschool children.
Lead contamination in the VBI70 site.
Certain properties in the VBI70 site are a public health hazard to some preschool children who live on properties with high lead levels in soil. Exposure to lead-contaminated soil at the more highly contaminated properties has the potential for increasing blood lead levels in some preschool children and might cause harmful effects involving the brain and nervous system. Possible effects include decreased intelligence, developmental delays, decreased stature, altered vitamin D metabolism, changes in blood enzyme levels, and decreased hearing.
EPA has developed a mathematical model that uses the average soil lead levels in a property to predict the percentage of children with blood lead levels above CDC's 10 micrograms lead per deciliter of blood (µg/dL). For the VBI70 site, EPA's model predicts that soil lead levels above 200 ppm might result in 5% of the children with blood lead levels greater than 10 µg/dL. About 1,300 properties in the VBI70 site have average soil lead levels higher than about 200 ppm.
Recent blood lead testing by CDPHE in summer 2000 found about 10% of the 86 preschool children tested with blood lead levels above CDC's level of concern of 10 µg/dL. It was not possible, however, to determine how much soil-lead contamination contributed to blood lead levels. For more information about CDPHE's blood lead program, contact Ms. Mishelle Macias at 303-692-2622. In addition to the state's efforts, the Denver Department of Environmental Health (DEH) within the City and County of Denver is responsible for responding to lead issues. DEH's program is run by Mr. Gene Hook, who can be contacted at 720-865-5452. DEH follows CDC guidelines, and when a child with elevated blood lead is referred, DEH will conduct an environmental investigation to identify potential sources of lead. Typically, the investigation includes collecting environmental samples from the home environment and administering a questionnaire designed to identify lead sources. DEH also provides the family with information about the health effects of lead, ways to prevent exposure to lead, proper nutrition, access to other relevant services, and the need for follow up blood tests.
Properties that refused clean up
Six property owners have refused to allow EPA access to clean up arsenic-contaminated soil. These properties might be a health hazard to the current residents and to the families that might occupy those properties in the future.
Northeast Park Hill neighborhood
High levels of arsenic have been found in some yards in the Northeast Park Hill neighborhood, a residential area east of the VBI70 study area. The limited number of soil samples from the properties sampled do not allow ATSDR to evaluate long-term exposure to arsenic. The high frequency of significantly elevated arsenic levels in the 36 properties sampled leads ATSDR to believe that like the VBI70 site some homes in the Northeast Park Hill neighborhood have areas in their yards with high levels of arsenic contamination that could be harmful. Soil arsenic levels in some properties could be harmful to children with soil-pica behavior. It is difficult to be certain about the degree of the health threat in the properties sampled because the limited number of samples do not allow ATSDR to know the true maximum arsenic level.
The distribution of arsenic and lead
The distribution of lead in the VBI70 site shows that properties with elevated lead levels in soil are found more frequently in the western portion of the site (that is, Elyria, Cole, and Southwest Globeville) than in the eastern portion of the site (that is, Swansea and Clayton.) This pattern of lead contamination indicates that more lead contamination might exist south and west of the VB170 area, and in the central industrial area inside the study area. In addition, about 80 properties in the eastern portion of the site contained significantly elevated levels of lead in soil. Preliminary soil samples further east of these neighborhoods in the Northeast Park Hill area also found some properties with elevated soil lead levels. These two facts suggest that properties east and southeast of the VBI70 site might have lead-contaminated soil that would be a public health concern.
Since there was no obvious pattern for high levels of arsenic contamination, properties outside the study area might have significant levels of arsenic in soil. It should also be noted that low levels of arsenic from 12 to 30 ppm are more frequently found in Elyria, Southwest Globeville, and Cole, the western neighborhoods.
Five of the highest individual (discrete) lead levels in soil are found in three properties within 1,000 feet of the former Omaha-Grant smelter. This observation indicates that significant lead contamination might exist at and below the surface near the former smelter. Therefore, future investigations in this area should include collecting subsurface-soil samples since significant lead contamination may be below the surface.
As more environmental data become available, ATSDR will review those data to determine if the results affect decisions in this public health assessment and the public health activities at the Agency could undertake.
Public Meeting
In March 2002, ATSDR released the Public Health Assessment for the VBI70 Site and held 3 days of public meetings to announce the findings of the public health assessment. These meetings were held in Swansea and Clayton. In addition to presentations from community representatives and from ATSDR and EPA staff members, ATSDR handed out plain-language fact sheets that summarized the findings of the investigation. These fact sheets can be found in Appendix L and cover the following topics:
Public Comment
When ATSDR released the Public Health Assessment for the VBI70 Site in March 2002, the Agency requested that people submit comments about the assessment. Those comments have been reviewed by ATSDR and changes have been made in the report as warranted. ATSDR's response to the public comments can be found in Appendix M.
Health education activities
During ATSDR's investigation, ATSDR and other members of the health team met and developed two gardening fact sheets (see Appendices E and F). The gardening facts sheets provided information to residents about the safety of gardening in the VBI70 study area. The gardening fact sheets were either mailed to residents or handed out at availability sessions that the health team held for residents in April 1999. As part of the availability session, health team members met with residents one-on-one to answer their questions about gardening and questions about the site. In addition, a flyer was given to residents showing them things they could do in their house and yard to reduce exposure to arsenic and lead in soil. A horticulturist from the University of Colorado answered questions about gardening in Denver.
During the public health assessment process, EPA offered residents who live at highly contaminated properties the opportunity for free medical testing to measure arsenic in urine, arsenic in hair, and lead in blood. Fifteen residents, including one preschool child, participated in the 1998 medical testing. Arsenic was not detected in urine or hair and blood lead results were at expected levels. However, for the reasons described previously in the Health Outcome Data section, these results cannot be used to decide if arsenic and lead in soil are at safe levels.
In summer 2000, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment offered voluntary blood lead testing at several locations in the VBI70 site as part of their lead poisoning prevention program. As recent as September 25, 2000, at Saint Martin's Plaza and October 3, 2000, at Harrington Elementary School, CDPHE offered lead testing for children. Of the 86 children that participated, 8 had blood lead levels that exceeded the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's level of concern of 10 micrograms lead per deciliter (10 µg/deciliter). The age of the children ranged from 7 months to 6 years.
The CDPHE did not find a relationship between blood lead results and lead levels in soil but too few children were tested to conclude whether or not soil lead levels are contributing to blood lead levels. For more information about CDPHE's blood lead program, contact Ms. Mishelle Macias at 303-692-2622.
CDC states that blood lead levels below 10 µg/dL are not considered to indicate lead poisoning. CDC considers children with blood lead levels between 10 and 14 µg/dL to be in a border zone. Therefore, many of these children may have blood lead levels that are below 10 µg/dL. CDC does not recommend a home inspection when children are found at these levels because CDC states that it is unlikely that a single predominant source of lead exposure can be found for most of these children. CDC states, however, that it is prudent to try and decrease exposure to lead with some simple instructions and to conduct a follow-up blood lead test in 3 months. CDC states that the adverse effects of blood lead levels between 10 and 14 µg/dL are subtle and are not likely to be recognizable or measurable in the individual child (CDC 1991).
CDC states that when children have venous blood lead levels of 15 to 19 µg/dL, careful followup is warranted. A health care provider or appropriate health official should take a careful history to look for sources of lead exposure, and parents should receive guidance about interventions to reduce blood lead levels. CDC states that children with blood lead levels between 15 and 19 µg/dL are at risk for decreases in IQ of up to several IQ points and other subtle effects (CDC 1991).
Local blood lead programs
In addition to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment's lead program for testing children, the Denver Department of Environmental Health (DEH) within the City and County of Denver responds to local lead issues. DEH's program is run by Mr. Gene Hook, who can be contacted at 720-865-5452. DEH follows CDC guidelines, and when a child with elevated blood lead is referred to them, DEH will conduct an environmental investigation to identify potential sources of lead. Typically, the investigation includes collecting environmental samples from the home environment and administering a questionnaire designed to identify lead sources. DEH also provides the family with information about the health effects of lead, ways to prevent exposure to lead, proper nutrition, access to other relevant services, and the need for follow up blood tests.
Health investigations
ATSDR is working with CDPHE, the University of Colorado Health Science Center, and community representatives to conduct a health investigation to assess soil-pica behavior among preschool children and to identify household cases of acute and chronic arsenic and lead poisoning. The activities of the health investigation include the following:
These activities began in June 2002 and were completed in December 2002. A report is expected by the end of 2003.
Health Education
ATSDR is also working with community representatives and other members of the health team to implement health education. Health education at the VBI70 site will include activities and materials that are specific to 1) the residents who live in the properties with the highest levels of contamination; 2) those residents with the greatest risk for exposure based on the results of the public health assessment, health study, and environmental interventions project; 3) residents who will participate in the interventions project and health study; 4) the general community living within the study area, and 5) health care providers.
ATSDR will develop and implement health education activities designed to provide information regarding children's soil-pica behavior and general information regarding soil ingestion in children and adults. This information will provide ways that residents can reduce exposure to contaminants in their yards and reduce pica behavior.
ATSDR will develop health education materials for residents regarding the public health assessment and information for residents who participate in the interventions project and health study. The materials will explain the purpose of the activities, the process that will be used, and any limitations. ATSDR will also provide information to residents to assist them in understanding the information in these reports.
ATSDR will provide information to residents in the VBI70 study area regarding ways adults and children can reduce exposure to possible contaminants in their soil. This information may be provided by A) publishing information in community newsletters, B) mailings to residents, and C) handouts during community meetings.
Working very closely with residents in each of the groups mentioned previously, ATSDR will identify their questions and health concerns prior to implementing health education activities at the site. After conducting health education, ATSDR will followup with residents to ensure that their questions and issues have been addressed and to measure the short and long-term impacts of the health education activities.
This public health assessment was written by the ATSDR staff members shown below.
Dr. David Mellard, Ph.D.
Division of Health Assessment and Consultation
ATSDR, MS E-32
1600 Clifton Road
Atlanta, Georgia 30333
email: dam7@cdc.gov
Ms. Theresa NeSmith
Division of Health Education and Promotion
ATSDR, MS E-42
1600 Clifton Road
Atlanta, Georgia 30333
email: tbn8@cdc.gov
Ms. Maria Teran-MacIver
Division of Health Assessment and Consultation
ATSDR, MS E-54
1600 Clifton Road
Atlanta, Georgia 30333
email: mnt0@cdc.gov
Mr. Chris Poulet
Office of Regional Operations
ATSDR
8ATSDR
999 18th Street, Suite 500
Denver, Colorado 80202
email: poulet.chris@epa.gov
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APPENDIX A: LIST OF VBI70 HEALTH TEAM MEMBERS
| Dr. Selene Chou | ATSDR, Atlanta |
| Ms. Pat Courtney | EPA, Denver |
| Ms. Janna Brooks | ATSDR, Atlanta |
| Ms. Sandy Douglas | Cole neighborhood, Denver |
| Dr. Robert Johnson | ATSDR, Atlanta |
| Mr. Ted Fellman | EPA, Denver |
| Ms. Lorraine Granado | Swansea neighborhood; Executive Director, Cross Community Coalition, Denver |
| Ms. Joan Hooker | Clayton neighborhood, Denver |
| Mr. Gene Hook | Denver Department of Environmental Health, City and County of Denver |
| Mr. Michael Maes | Swansea neighborhood, Denver |
| Ms. Antonia Montoya | Colorado People's Environmental & Economic Network (COPEEN), Denver |
| Dr. David Mellard | ATSDR, Atlanta |
| Ms. Theresa NeSmith | ATSDR, Atlanta |
| Mr. Chris Poulet | ATSDR, Denver |
| Ms. Margaret Schonbeck | Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment |
| Dr. Myron Schultz | ATSDR, Atlanta |
| Ms. Lakeisha Sykes | ATSDR, Atlanta |
| Ms. Maria Teran-MacIver | ATSDR, Atlanta |
| Mr. Anthony Thomas | Clayton neighborhood, Denver |
| Ms. Celia VanDerLoop | Denver Department of Environmental Health, City and County of Denver |
| Dr. Dianyi Yu | ATSDR, Atlanta |
APPENDIX B: FIGURES 1 THROUGH 23
Figure 1. Study Area Boundary Vicinity Map
Figure 2. Timeline of ATSDR's Public Health Assessment Activities for the VBI70 Site
Figure 3. Study Area Demographics Vicinity Map
Figure 4. Elyria Neighborhood Vicinity Map
Figure 5. Swansea Neighborhood Vicinity Map
Figure 6. Cole Neighborhood Vicinity Map
Figure 7. Clayton Neighborhood Vicinity Map
Figure 8. Southwest Globeville Neighborhood Vicinity Map
Figure 9. Neighboring Industry Site Location Map
Figure 10. Surface Soil Lead Levels Contaminant Concentration Map
Figure 11. Surface Soil Lead Levels Contaminant Concentration Map
Figure 12. Highest Soil Lead Levels (Phase I & II) Contaminant Concentration Map
Figure 13. Surface Lead Levels - Globeville Contaminant Concentration Map
Figure 14. Surface Soil Zinc Levels Contaminant Concentration Map
Figure 15. Surface Soil - Lead (ppm) graph
Figure 16. Surface Arsenic Levels (Phase III) Contaminant Concentration Map
Figure 17. Surface Arsenic Levels Contaminant Concentration Map
Figure 18. Surface Arsenic Levels Contaminant Concentration Map
Figure 19. Sampling Point Density Sampling Analysis Map
Figure 20. Population Density Demographic Map
Figure 21. Surface Soil - Arsenic (ppm) graph
Figure 22. Surface Soil - Arsenic (ppm) graph
Figure 23. Arsenic Concentration (ppm) 3-D graph
APPENDIX C: TABLES C-1 THROUGH C-5
REGIONAL GEOGRAPHIC INITIATIVE FOR ZIP CODE 80216
Table C-1. MOBILE SOURCE EMISSION INVENTORY FOR THE GLOBEVILLE AREA
| POLLUTANT | TONS PER DAY |
| CARBON MONOXIDE | 10840.00 |
| NITROGEN OXIDES | 2044 |
| HYDROCARBONS | 1387 |
| PM10 |
657 |
| PM2.5 |
292 |
| SULFUR DIOXIDE |
73 |
| VEHICLE MILES TRAVELED |
781545665 |
Table C-2. METALS EMISSIONS: 80216 BY POLLUTANT
AND COMPANY
| SUBSTANCE | COMPANY | TONS PER YEAR |
| ARSENIC COMPOUNDS | PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY | 0.25 |
| ANTIMONY COMPOUNDS | ASARCO INC GLOBE PLANT CHEMICAL& METAL IND INC |
0.83 0.03 Total: 0.86 |
| CADMIUM COMPOUNDS | ASARCO INC GLOBE PLANT | 0.01 |
| CHROMIUM COMPOUNDS | PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OWENS CORNING/DENVER ROOFING PLANT |
0.13 0.03 Total: 0.16 |
| MANGANESE COMPOUNDS | OWENS CORNING/DENVER ROOFING PLANT | 0.03 |
| NICKEL COMPOUNDS | PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY | 1.33 |
| LEAD (TSP) | ASARCO INC GLOBE PLANT | 0.5 |
| LEAD COMPOUNDS | ASARCO INC GLOBE PLANT | 0.01 |
| SELENIUM | ASARCO INC GLOBE PLANT | 0.06 |
| TELLURIUM AND COMPOUNDS AS TE AND TE-PT | ASARCO INC GLOBE PLANT | 0.13 |
Table C-3. EMISSIONS FROM STATIONARY SOURCES:
80216 BY TONS PER YEAR OF POLLUTANT
|
TONS PER YEAR |
POLLUTANT |
| 18332.00 | SULFUR DIOXIDE |
| 16822.37 | NITROGEN DIOXIDE |
| 875.28 | VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS (VOC) |
| 714.86 | CARBON MONOXIDE |
| 659.18 | SUSPENDED PARTICULATE (TSP) |
| 349.25 | PM10 TOTAL 0-10UM |
| 151.64 | TOTAL HAZARDOUS AIR POLLUTANTS |
| 144.43 | ORGANIC COMPOUNDS |
| 33.17 | TOLUENE AKA METHYBENZENE |
| 12.25 | AMMONIA |
| 6.53 | CHLOROFORM |
| 2.31 | CHLORIDE |
| 1.33 | NICKEL COMPOUNDS |
| 0.95 | ACIDS |
| 0.86 | ANTIMONY COMPOUNDS |
| 0.50 | LEAD (TSP) |
| 0.36 | HYDROGEN SULFIDE |
| 0.25 | ARSENIC COMPOUNDS |
| 0.18 | ISOPHORONE |
| 0.16 | CHROMIUM COMPOUNDS |
| 0.13 | TELLURIUM AND COMPOUNDS, AS TE |
| 0.06 | SELENIUM COMPOUNDS |
| 0.03 | MANGANESE COMPOUNDS |
| 0.01 | TRIETHYLAMINE |
| 0.01 | CADMIUM COMPOUNDS |
| 0.01 | LEAD COMPOUNDS |
| *******.** | HYDROFLUORIC ACID |
Table C-4. TOP 10 VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUND
(VOC) AND HAZARDOUS POLLUTANT (HP) EMITTERS
| SIC | VOC/HC | INDUSTRY | # of businesses |
| 2051 | VOC | Bakeries | 3 |
| 2499 | VOC/HC | Wood Products | 1 |
| 2599 | VOC/HC | Furniture Manufacturer | 1 |
| 2711 | VOC | Newspaper (printing) | 2 |
| 2752 | VOC/HC | Commercial Print and Lithograph | 13 (HC=9) |
| 2851 | VOC/HC | Paints/Painting Facilities | 1 |
| 2952 | VOC | Asphalt | 1 |
| 3086 | VOC | Plastic Foam Products | 1 |
| 3317 | HC | Steel Pipe | 1 |
| 3441 | HC | Fabricated Structural Material | 2 |
| 3443 | HC | Fabricated Plate Work | 1 |
| 3479 | HC | Metal Coating | 2 |
| 4911 | VOC/HC | Electric Utility | 1 |
| 5541 | VOC | Gasoline Stations | 9 |
Table C-5. DIESEL FLEETS(31)
BASED IN 80216 BY NUMBER OF TRUCKS
| FLEET NAME | # OF TRUCKS |
| REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION DIST. | 763 |
| PENSKE TRUCK LEASING | 604 |
| CITY & COUNTY OF DENVER | 411 |
| DENVER PUBLIC SCHOOLS | 315 |
| RYDER TRUCK RENTAL-D. | 281 |
| HVH TRANSPORTATION, INC. | 278 |
| GLOBAL RENTAL | 262 |
| LEASE MIDWEST, INC. | 225 |
| ROLLINS LEASING CORP.-B | 200 |
| WASTE MANAGEMENT OF COLORADO | 179 |
| PEPSI-COLA BOTTLING CO. | 144 |
| U.S. WEST-DENVER | 124 |
| BRANNAN SAND & GRAVEL CO. | 97 |
| WESTERN DISTRIBUTING TRANS. C | 75 |
| ANHEUSER-BUSCH INC. | 72 |
| DON WARD & CO. | 72 |
| MAYFLOWER CONTRACT SERVICES | 65 |
| MILE-HI FROZEN FOODS CO. | 58 |
| N.P. TRANSPORTATION | 57 |
| READY MIXED CONCRETE CO. | 56 |
| SAFEWAY STORES, INC. | 54 |
| FULL SERVICE BEVERAGES | 53 |
| ZULANAS DISTRIBUTORS, INC. | 46 |
| ABF FREIGHT SYSTEMS, INC. | 40 |
| TRANS WESTERN EXPRESS, LTD. | 40 |
| BULLOCKS EXPRESS | 38 |
| RYDER TRUCK RENTAL-L. | 38 |
| NEWS AND FILM SERVICE | 33 |
| NATIONAL BY-PRODUCTS, INC. | 30 |
| AMERICAN WAREHOUSE CO., INC. | 26 |
| FRANK C. KLEIN & CO., INC. | 25 |
| GIAMBROCCO FOOD SERVICE | 24 |
| WESTERN DELIVERY SERVICE | 17 |
| DPI DYKSTRA SALES, INC. | 16 |
| MOUNTAIN STATE TRUCK LEASING | 15 |
| BELLIO TRUCKING, INC. | 14 |
| IRON & METALS, INC. | 13 |
| ULTIMATE FROZEN FOODS, INC. | 11 |
| TOTAL | 4871 |
APPENDIX D: TABLES D-1, AND D-2
Additional Demographics for the VBI70 Study Area
The demographic data presented in the main body of the report are taken from the 2000 census. In addiction to these data, ATSDR obtained and reviewed information prepared by Claritas, Inc.–a company that specializes in demographic data for specific geographic areas. The data provided by Claritas provide additional information relevant to this public health assessment, such as the age of houses and the average time people live in their homes.
The following list reviews important data trends derived from the demographic data provided by Claritas. Data summary tables are also included in this appendix to highlight notable demographic trends.
As Appendix D, Table D-1 shows, there are more than 5,000 housing units in the VBI70 study area, with the Clayton, Cole, and Swansea neighborhoods having the highest numbers of homes. Throughout the study area, nearly 90% of the housing units were believed to be occupied in 1998. About three-fourths of the housing units in this area have only one unit (i.e., they are single family homes), and multi-unit dwellings are most prevalent in the Cole neighborhood.
According to the census data, more than 80% of the homes in the VBI70 study area were constructed before 1970, and most of these were built before 1950. Only 11% of the homes in the area were built in the last 15 years. New construction appears to be most prevalent in the Clayton and Cole neighborhoods. The Southwest Globeville neighborhood, on the other hand, has the highest fraction of older homes. Though some variations in the age of homes are apparent in different parts of the VBI70 study area, the variations are not striking and cannot (by themselves) explain the trends observed in the soil contamination.
For greater insight into duration of residence, the Claritas data was used to estimate how long people in the VBI70 study area live in their homes. These data are also shown in Appendix D, Table D-2 Averaged over the entire study area, 53% of the residents are believed to live in their current homes for 10 years or fewer, while 16% of the residents are believed to have lived in their current homes for more than 30 years. Therefore, about 16% of the residents have the potential for exposures greater than 30 years.
Comparing these data across the five neighborhoods, ATSDR found that the percentage of long-term residents does not vary considerably from one neighborhood to the next. In fact, the percentages of long-term residents (30 years or more) in Clayton, Cole, Elyria, and Swansea are almost identical, with slightly higher percentages for Southwest Globeville. Overall, though some neighborhood-specific trends in duration of residency are apparent, no single neighborhood has a strikingly different distribution for this parameter than others. In other words, no single neighborhood stands out as having residents that have lived considerably longer in their homes when compared to the other four neighborhoods.
Table D-1. Data on the Housing Stock in
the Five Neighborhoods in the VBI70 Study Area
(Data Presented Are Estimates for the Year 1998)
| Parameter | Data for the Area within the VBI70 Study Area | Neighborhood | ||||
| Clayton | Cole | Elyria | Southwest Globeville | Swansea | ||
| Total Housing Units and Occupancy Data: | ||||||
| Total Housing Units | 5145 | 1665 | 1770 | 391 | 298 | 1020 |
| Total Occupied Housing Units | 4516 | 1509 | 1441 | 348 | 268 | 949 |
| Estimated Occupancy Rate | 88% | 91% | 81% | 89% | 90% | 93% |
| Distribution of Types of Housing Units: | ||||||
| Single Unit Homes | 3,847 (75%) | 1,273 (76%) | 1,142 (65%) | 285 (73%) | 248 (83%) | 899 (88%) |
| Homes with 2-9 Units | 978 (19%) | 329 (20%) | 448 (25%) | 87 (22%) | 31 (10%) | 83 (8%) |
| Homes with 10 or More Units | 235 (5%) | 50 (3%) | 160 (9%) | 6 (2%) | 13 (4%) | 5 (<1%) |
| Mobile Homes and Other | 84 (2%) | 13 (1%) | 20 (1%) | 13 (3%) | 6 (2%) | 32 (3%) |
| Breakdown of Housing Stock by Year Homes Were Constructed: | ||||||
| Homes Built in 1985 or Later | 590 (11%) | 288 (17%) | 232 (13%) | 30 (8%) | 12 (4%) | 27 (3%) |
| Homes Built in 1980-1984 | 97 (2%) | 54 (3%) | 27 (2%) | 6 (2%) | 9 (3%) | 0 (0%) |
| Homes Built in 1970-1979 | 288 (6%) | 32 (2%) | 113 (6%) | 61 (16%) | 13 (4%) | 69 (7%) |
| Homes Built in 1950-1969 | 983 (19%) | 370 (22%) | 173 (10%) | 70 (18%) | 31 (10%) | 339 (33%) |
| Homes Built before 1950 | 3,187 (62%) | 921 (55%) | 1,225 (69%) | 224 (57%) | 232 (78%) | 584 (57%) |
Note: All data in the table are estimates of the 1998 population. These estimates were prepared for ATSDR by Claritas, Inc.
Table D-2. Data on Duration of Residence
for the Five Neighborhoods in the VBI70 Study Area
(Data Presented Are Estimates for the Year 1998)
| Parameter | Data for the Population Living within the VBI70 Study Area | Neighborhood | ||||
| Clayton | Cole | Elyria | Southwest Globeville | Swansea | ||
| Data on Median Duration of Residency (see notes at the bottom of the table): | ||||||
| Shortest median length of residence for a block group within the area listed | 6.8 | 11.4 | 6.8 | 8.5 | 7.7 | 8.5 |
| Longest median length of residence for a block group within the area listed | 23.3 | 18.2 | 23.3 | 15 | 14.1 | 15 |
| Data on Duration of Residency; Percent of Householders Who Moved into Their Housing Units. . . | ||||||
| . . . 0 to 5 years ago | 43% | 39% | 47% | 57% | 46% | 37% |
| . . . 6 to 10 years ago | 10% | 7% | 10% | 10% | 3% | 17% |
| . . . 11 or more years ago | 46% | 53% | 43% | 33% | 41% | 46% |
| . . . 30 or more years ago | 16% | 14% | 16% | 15% | 20% | 16% |
Notes: The five neighborhoods in the VBI70 study area are comprised of many "block groups" or regions the U.S. Census uses to characterize the population. For each block group in these neighborhoods, the census data reports the median duration of residency for all of the residents in the block group. The data in the table above presents the lowest and highest median duration of residency for all block groups in a given area. Therefore, one can conclude that the median duration of residency for the entire neighborhood is between the lowest and highest data points provided.
In the second presentation of data, note that the last category ("30 or more years ago") is actually a subset of the category before it ("11 or more years ago"). Because of this, the percentages listed do not add up to 100.
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