San Francisco's building boom may look good for the skyline, but all the construction is causing major health issues for children in the surrounding neighborhoods.
San Francisco’s political and spiritual leaders recently hailed the city’s newest tallest building, the 61-story Salesforce tower, as the centerpiece of its ongoing building boom.
But residents who live three miles away are left to wonder whether the boom is taking a toll on their health.
For the past year, Dr. Ray Tompkins, a retired chemistry teacher and environmental activist, has been sampling the air around Amador Avenue in Hunter’s Point. That’s where three companies, Cemex, Central Concrete and Hanson Aggregates, mix together raw materials needed to meet the city’s growing demand for concrete.
Known as “fine particulate matter,” the particles are easily inhaled and may get trapped deep in the lungs. Studies show that they can invade the bloodstream and even travel to the heart. Experts say they can lead to inflammation, lung cancer and even heart attacks.
Just a mile away from the plants, at Bayview's George Washington Carver Elementary, school officials say asthma rates are 60 percent higher than the national average.
A chemistry teacher blames it on three cement companies who mix together raw materials close by needed to meet the city’s growing demand for concrete... This creates tiny particles that float into the air and into our lungs resulting in these health defects.
Check out the whole story, which was uncovered by NBC Investigates on there website: http://www.nbcbayarea.com/investigations/Is-San-Franciscos-Building-Boom-Taking-a-Toll-on-Poorest-Neighborhoods-424196063.html