Environmental Health Coalition

Toxic Free Neighborhoods Campaign: Organizes and educates in low income communities of color to advocate for the prevention of toxic pollution from industrial and mobile sources. Currently, our efforts are focused in the communities of Barrio Logan, Logan Height, and City Heights in San Diego and Westside National City. These communities suffer from years of incompatible zoning that has created an unhealthy mix of toxic industries, homes, and schools; lack of green space, like parks; and a lack of healthy food options. These communities receive additional pollution from freight-related activities at nearby terminals and multiple freeways. EHC staff and community leaders are actively involved in developing new visions for their neighborhoods through participation in various community organizations, stakeholder groups and with the local government organized committees and events. The EHC Community Action Teams meet monthly to learn about and discuss new opportunities to achieve their vision of a healthy community and develop plans to ensure that the communitys voice is heard. This campaign is also working towards bringing investments into our communities from State and Federal programs.

Air Quality Campaign - Focuses in the San Diego region and throughout California on the communities most at risk for poor air quality. These low-income communities of color have more than their share of industry, freeways, surface street traffic, and less than their share of parks, tree canopy, air conditioning, and clean transportation. Although air pollution affects us all, underserved neighborhoods are hit first and worst. Disadvantaged communities in San Diego are ranked in the top 25% of census tracts for pollution impact. The neighborhoods are also at the the top in the County for traffic proximity and diesel particulate pollution with especially high risks for asthma. EHC is addressing this issue with campaigns to electrify the freight and transit systems.