Toxic Homes

Exposure to Indoor Toxins in Bushwick

Bushwick is a low-income, predominantly Latino and African-American neighborhood located in North Brooklyn, New York City. Bushwick residents face a number of major environmental health problems that are caused by bad indoor housing conditions. Because of exposure to lead paint in people’s homes, there are extremely high levels of lead poisoning in the community.i Also, because of the high incidence of asthma triggers, such as cockroaches, mice, rats and mold, there is a high incidence of asthma in Bushwick. The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) has recently found that Bushwick and the neighboring community Williamsburg have asthma rates four times the average of NYC.

In addition to these health problems, concern is rising over the use of indoor pesticides by landlords and tenants in Bushwick. Studies show that exposure to pesticides can cause negative long lasting health problems, and exacerbate other health problems such as asthma, especially for children.iii Frequently used household sprays and foggers often contain ingredients such as fipronil and permethrin, both of which are linked to causing headaches, nausea, and skin irritations.iv A recent study by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suggests that the residue of these pesticides linger in homes, continually exposing people and young children to the risks attached to these chemicals.v Furthermore, the EPA classifies permethrin as a possible human carcinogen.

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYCDHMH) advocates for the use of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), a more holistic approach that seeks to address the root causes of pest infestations and limit the use of strong chemicals in the home. In 2005 the City passed Local Law 37 in an effort to curb the use of pesticides in city properties. Local Law 37 emphasizes the use of IPM strategies and also promotes the surveillance and reporting of pesticide use in these properties. viii This same procedure of tracking and recording the use of pesticides should be applied to all our New York City homes and communities to ensure safe and healthy housing.

In order to learn how to best address the extensive problem of indoor toxins in people’s homes in Bushwick, in the Fall of 2009, Make the Road NY conducted 120 surveys and interviews in the community and compiled this report. “Toxic Homes” reveals that Bushwick residents are exposed to high incidences of pests and pesticides in their homes. We show that current city regulations fail to hold negligent landlords accountable for making necessary repairs in people’s homes. We also find that while community members are overwhelmingly interested learning less toxic and more effective approaches, such as IPM, to controlling pests besides pesticides, they currently lack the educational resources to implement these safer practices. We conclude our report by recommending that community groups and the DOHMH provide greater education for tenants about IPM alternatives and that the City should create enforceable regulations for indoor asthma triggers.

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