Rubbertown Air Toxics and Health Assessment (RATHA)
The Rubbertown Air Toxics and Health Action was a 13-month project with a goal of understanding and mitigating the impacts of air pollution in West Louisville.
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Project Partners
Louisville Metro Air Pollution Control District (APCD)
Comprehensive Air Toxics Monitoring: APCD developed and implemented an ambient air toxics monitoring network including sites that measure volatile organic compounds (VOCs), metals, formaldehyde and other air pollution markers (PM2.5, NoX, and ozone).
Visit the Louisville Metro Air Pollution Control District (APCD)
University of Louisville Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute
Wastewater Sampling Pilot Project
Wastewater-based epidemiology was integrated into this project, providing a novel and critical link between ambient air toxics and human metabolic markers of pollution exposure.
Health Risk Assessment
Identify and evaluate potential health risks associated with air pollution exposure, particularly focusing on vulnerable populations in the community.
Health Impact Evaluation Tool (HIET)
Develop and refine the HIET to assist medical practitioners in diagnosing and managing health issues related to air pollution exposure.
West Jefferson County Community Task Force (WJCCTF)
Community Engagement
WJCCTF spearheaded the project's community engagement initiatives, organizing and facilitating public meetings, information sessions and feedback mechanisms. They were responsible for ensuring that community voices were heard and integrated into the project’s planning and implementation phases. This role was crucial for maintaining transparency, building trust and ensuring that the project's outcomes reflected the needs and concerns of West Louisville residents.
Training
WJCCTF also facilitated the training of community health workers and local residents, enhancing the community’s capacity to engage with and respond to environmental health issues. This included workshops and training sessions that equipped participants with the necessary skills and knowledge to identify pollution sources, understand health risks and advocate for healthier environments.
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Park DuValle Community Health Centers (PDCHC)
Research Translation
Park DuValle Community Health Centers played a pivotal role in translating the findings of the Ambient Air Toxics Assessment into practical health interventions for the community of West Louisville.
Training
PDCHC used project data to train community health workers to recognize and respond to health issues related to air pollution exposure. This training aimed to equip them with the knowledge needed to assist residents effectively, enhancing local capacity for health monitoring and advocacy.
Implementation
Working closely with the University of Louisville’s Envirome Institute, PDCHC helped develop and implement the Health Impact Evaluation Tool (HIET). This tool was integrated into clinical practice, enabling health care providers at PDCHC to assess patient exposure to air pollutants and offer tailored health risk screenings and treatments.
Visit the Park DuValle Community Health Centers (PDCHC)
Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness (LMPHW)
LMPHW actively participated in community meetings and workshops, providing crucial health equity data and sharing expert insights to help inform residents and other stakeholders about the health impacts of air pollution.
Utilizing the findings from the Ambient Air Toxics Assessment and the subsequent Health Risk Assessment, LMPHW contributed to the development of informed policy recommendations. These policies aimed to reduce exposure to air pollutants and address health disparities in West Louisville.
LMPHW incorporated the project’s findings into their existing public health programs and resources. This integration enhanced the department's ability to address environmental health concerns effectively and support ongoing public health initiatives focused on reducing environmental health burdens.
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Rubbertown, Louisville, KY
Rubbertown is an industrial neighborhood located in the southwestern part of Louisville, Kentucky. Historically, it gained its name from the numerous rubber factories that were established there during World War II, originally designed to support the war effort with synthetic rubber production. Over the years, Rubbertown evolved to house a broader range of chemical plants and heavy industrial facilities, including petrochemical companies, paint manufacturers and plastics producers.
The area is known for its significant industrial activity which has raised various environmental and health concerns among the local population. Due to the concentration of industrial operations, residents in and around Rubbertown have been exposed to a variety of air toxics, leading to heightened community awareness and activism regarding environmental justice and health issues. These concerns have spurred various environmental studies and initiatives aimed at monitoring and reducing the impact of industrial emissions on public health.
Despite its industrial legacy, Rubbertown is also part of a larger community that includes residential areas where families have lived for generations. The community's proximity to these industries has made it a focal point for discussions on environmental policy, health disparities and community safety. Efforts to improve the environmental and health landscape in Rubbertown are ongoing, involving collaborations between residents, local industries, government agencies and nonprofit organizations to ensure a safer and healthier environment for all its residents.
West Louisville Air Toxics Studies (WLATS)
In the early 2000s, the Air Pollution Control District (APCD), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the University of Louisville and the Commonwealth of Kentucky worked with the West Jefferson County Community Task Force (WJCCTF) to study toxic air pollutants. The goal was to determine if residents of the area were exposed to high levels of toxic chemicals that could pose unacceptable risks to health.
2000-2001
In phase 1, air monitoring was conducted at 12 sites, chemicals of potential concern were identified, and a chronic health risk assessment was conducted. This study found unacceptability high levels of air pollution at all 12 sites and unacceptably high lifetime cancer risk in the area.
2001-2005
In phase 2, air monitoring was conducted at six sites, a subset of the sites from phase 1. Eleven chemicals of concern that are associated with cancer risk were identified at high levels in this phase.
2005
Data gathered from WLATS led to the implementation of the Strategic Toxic Air Reduction Program (STAR) in 2005, a regulatory program that assesses and addresses toxic air emissions in Louisville Metro. Since implementing the STAR Program, toxic chemical emissions have dropped nearly 80% across Louisville Metro.
2024
The RATHA project repeated air toxics monitoring in WLATS locations and added wastewater surveillance to assess population-level exposure to ambient air toxics. From this layered approach, researchers identified health conditions that West Louisville residents may have experienced or for which they are at higher risk based on past and current chemical exposures.
Wastewater-Based Epidemiology and Air Toxics Exposure
In the RATHA Project, wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) played a crucial role in assessing community exposure to air toxics in West Louisville. This innovative approach complements traditional air quality monitoring by providing a non-invasive means to evaluate the presence and impact of pollutants on a community scale.
Wastewater Sampling and Analysis
The University of Louisville, in collaboration with the Louisville Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD), implemented wastewater sampling to detect airborne pollutants indirectly through their metabolites in community sewage. Sampling was conducted using 24-hour composite samplers installed at strategic manhole or pump station locations, which cover area-level catchments encompassing 8,000-10,000 households. This method captured a broad snapshot of community exposure to specific toxins, offering a valuable perspective on public health risks.
Integration with Air Quality Data
Wastewater data was analyzed alongside air monitoring results to provide a comprehensive view of environmental health. By comparing these two data sets, researchers could better understand the correlation between air pollutant levels and actual community exposure as reflected in wastewater analyses.
Community Health Insights
Results from wastewater testing were crucial for the Health Risk Assessment (HRA) process. They helped identify which pollutants are most prevalent in the environment and how they affect community health. This information supported the development of targeted public health interventions and informed the Health Impact Evaluation Tool (HIET), which guided local healthcare providers in addressing specific health risks related to environmental exposure.
Ethical Considerations of the RATHA Project
The project maintained a strong commitment to ethical practices in wastewater testing, ensuring that data collection was conducted transparently and with respect for community privacy. Results were shared with the community through meetings and reports, facilitating informed discussions about environmental health and safety. Through the strategic use of WBE, the RATHA Project enhanced its ability to assess and respond to environmental health challenges, making a meaningful impact on the well-being of West Louisville residents.
Respect for Persons and Autonomy
The University of Louisville’s Institutional Review Board (IRB) reviewed our protocols for wastewater monitoring activities and determined that it does not classify as human subjects research.
Beneficence and Nonmaleficence
We strove to maximize public health benefits and minimize risks by using data to enhance public health responses and maintaining strict data protection measures to ensure anonymity and data security.
Justice
The project focused on environmental justice, aiming to equitably distribute research benefits, particularly to those historically exposed to higher pollution levels.
Informed Consent and Privacy
Traditional informed consent was not required as WBE does not involve direct contact or collect personally identifiable information. We maintained transparency with the community about the research processes and outcomes.
Data Sharing and Community Involvement
Results were shared through public meetings and reports, with all data aggregated and anonymized to prevent misuse. The community was actively involved in shaping research and policymaking, ensuring that outcomes reflect and benefit their needs.
Ethical Commitment
We were dedicated to upholding ethical standards, continually evaluating and adapting our practices to ensure alignment with community expectations and ethical guidelines.
Frequently Asked Questions
The air toxics health assessment aims to collect ambient air toxics data in West Louisville, especially around the Rubbertown area, to identify potential health conditions or diseases linked to chemical exposures from air pollution. This effort supports the development of tools and policies to improve public health outcomes.
The Louisville Metro Air Pollution Control District (APCD), in partnership with the University of Louisville’s Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute, West Jefferson County Community Task Force (WJCCTF), Park DuValle Community Health Centers and the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness are collaborating on this comprehensive assessment.
The project focuses on the zip codes 40216, 40211 and 40210 in Louisville, Kentucky, targeting areas with historical and ongoing exposure to air toxics.
Exposure to air toxics can lead to various health issues, including respiratory problems like asthma, cardiovascular diseases, cancer and other chronic conditions. The project seeks to enhance early detection and treatment options for these health issues.
Data from the project will inform Health Risk Assessments and aid in the development of the Health Impact Evaluation Tool, designed to help medical practitioners diagnose and treat conditions related to air toxics exposure. Additionally, this data will underpin policy recommendations aimed at reducing air pollution and its health impacts.
Air quality is monitored using a combination of volatile organic compound (VOC) sampling, metals analysis from particulate matter and continuous formaldehyde analyzers for mobile monitoring, with sites strategically located in high-risk areas within Rubbertown.
Monitoring sites include Cannons Lane and Algonquin Parkway among others, selected for their relevance to areas of maximum pollutant concentration or high population density.
In the RATHA project, wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) is utilized to complement air quality monitoring by assessing community exposure to air toxics. We collect wastewater samples from various locations in West Louisville to test for metabolites of air pollutants. This approach enables us to measure the collective exposure of the community to certain chemicals without directly testing individuals, providing a broader view of environmental health impacts.
Wastewater monitoring offers a non-invasive and comprehensive method to assess community-wide exposure to air toxics. Unlike traditional air quality monitoring, which measures pollutants present in the air at specific locations and times, wastewater analysis can detect the byproducts of these pollutants after they have been metabolized by the human body. This method helps confirm actual exposure levels and provides data that can be used to tailor public health responses more effectively, ensuring interventions are based on accurate community health assessments.
Project findings will inform policy recommendations for air pollution control and land use, targeting reductions in pollutant exposures and improvements in public health.
The project aims to reduce health disparities caused by environmental exposures, empower communities with actionable information and resources and influence policy changes that improve air quality and overall health outcomes in West Louisville.
Additional information is available on the Louisville Metro Air Pollution Control District’s website, or stakeholders can contact the Envirome Institute directly by emailing us at envirome@louisville.edu.