Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #116409

David Garcia, Paper Allied Industrial Chemical and Energy Workers International Union (PACE), 2543 North Jordan, Tucson, AZ 85745, 520.850.0156, dgarcia998@aol.com

As unusual as it is to see a labor union building relationships with local community members, this presentation will highlight this unique case of PACE workers collaborating with community residents in Rillito, Arizona to assess health concerns and conduct an environmental and occupational health survey. The discussion will include a history of the environmental contamination at Arizona Portland Cement, an explanation of worker and community public health concerns and environmental questions as well as examples of the health and environmental research efforts that have been initiated in Rillito. In particular, the presentation will discuss the strategies and methods used to engage retired workers, scientists and regional coalitions to develop a survey and assessment tool that meet the needs and concerns of both the workers and community residents. An analysis of the health survey is anticipated to be complete by the mid-2005 and we hope to present the findings to the audience as well.

Learning Objectives:

• To describe the history of PACE workers at Arizona Portland Cement and the discovery of worker exposure to heavy metals.
• To provide the strategies used by PACE workers to build and sustain a relationship with local community members concerned with environmental health exposures and association to health diseases.
• To explain the collaborative work conducted by the PACE workers and community members to conduct a health survey, after receive funding by EPA, Region 9.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commertial supporters WITH THE EXCEPTION OF employment at PACE.