FINAL REPORT: DEMOLITIONS & HEALTH TASKFORCE Improving Demolition Safety & Health Standards MARCH 2018 Detroit Health Department This page intentionally left blank FINAL REPORT: DEMOLITIONS & HEALTH TASKFORCE ■ 2 Taskforce Participant Roster Participants who have experienced a title change or are no longer participating are highlighted in light blue (listed alphabetically). Harolyn Baker, MPH Director of Child Health Services Healthier Childhoods Division Director Detroit Health Department Stuart Batterman, PhD Chronic Disease & Injury Prevention Data & Design Coordinator Detroit Health Department Professor of Environmental Health Sciences University of Michigan, School of Public Health Abdul El-Sayed, MD DPhil Leila Mekias, MS Environmental Health Fellow Detroit Health Department Policy Analyst Detroit Health Department Paul Max, BSChE Environmental Specialist Buildings, Safety Engineering and Environmental Department Epidemiologist Detroit Health Department Rhiana Gunn-Wright, MPhil Joneigh Khaldun, MD MPH FACEP Health Officer & Executive Director (Feb 2017 – Present) Detroit Health Department Special Projects Director Detroit Building Authority Lauren Fink, MPH Eric Kessell, PhD Director of Data, Planning, & Evaluation Health Policy & Planning Division Director Detroit Health Department Health Officer & Executive Director (Aug 2015 – Feb 2017) Detroit Health Department Brian Farkas, JD Alex B. Hill, MA Kim Rustem, MPP Senior Associate to the Director Detroit Health Department Raymond Scott, MPH General Manager Buildings, Safety Engineering and Environmental Department Executive Summary In January 2017, the Detroit Health Department (DHD) In January 2017, the Detroit Health Department (DHD) convened a Taskforce on Demolitions and Health (“Taskforce”) to develop a set of recommendations for reducing exposures and potential health impacts associated with possible lead dispersion during demolitions based on research and data analyses completed by DHD epidemiologists. This Taskforce convened eleven (11) representatives from DHD, Detroit Building Authority (DBA), Detroit Buildings Safety Engineering and Environmental Department (BSEED), and the University of Michigan School of Public Health (UMSPH). The Taskforce met four (4) times and on February 7, 2017 agreed upon and adopted eighteen (18) final recommendations (see Appendix A) to improve demolition safety and health standards. Between February 2017 and February 2018, the Taskforce met regularly in order to take the actions necessary to implement the final recommendations, complete ongoing data analyses, and develop additional recommendations based on current demolition activities. “Even one lead poisoned child is one too many. We have to try something new. If there is a potential association, let’s not do it at all.” – Dr. Joneigh Khaldun Future child lead poisoning work, including recommendations and actions related to demolition safety, will be addressed as part of DHD’s Interagency Lead Poisoning Prevention Task Force which will focus on lead paint and other housing hazards that are the primary contributors to child lead poisoning. FINAL REPORT: DEMOLITIONS & HEALTH TASKFORCE ■ 4 “We know the main cause of lead poisoning in Detroit’s children is lead paint in homes, and this strategy aims to target that, before a child is poisoned. – Dr. Joneigh Khaldun In March 2018, the City announced that demolitions would be halted in five (5) ZIP Codes with the highest child lead poisoning rates based on the findings in the original DHD report and on-going analyses. The pilot program is set to begin in Summer 2018 and will be a collaboration between DHD, Housing and Revitalization Department (HRD), and BSEED to proactively target ZIP Codes with door-to-door outreach to homes to identify places where there are children and pregnant women, identify potential lead hazards, in-home lead testing for children, and education on how families can protect themselves, before a child is poisoned. The City will also align future rental code ordinance enforcement in the target ZIP Codes. FINAL REPORT: DEMOLITIONS & HEALTH TASKFORCE ■ 5 Taskforce Recommendations & Actions Pre-Demolition The Taskforce envisioned a comprehensive alert and education system which would feature door hangers providing information for opt-in text message alerts, visits by lead advocates for families with children under the age of sic, comprehensive education and provision of demolition care packages, and provision of travel, recreational, or hotel vouchers. In addition, efforts to fortify and improve the demolition protocol availability, metrics, and training. A1. At least two weeks prior to demolition, contractors should provide door hangers to all resident homes and community organizations located within 400 feet (or within a radius of 8 houses) of the demolition sites. Actions Taken to Date: MAR 2018 NOV 2017 AUG 2017 APR 2017 DBA updated Contractor RFPs to include door hanger notification for all houses within a 400ft radius of demolitions, which is a wider distribution than previous protocols Door hanger redesigned to include a phone number to call with questions and concerns about demolitions as well as a phone number that residents can text to receive information and updates on the timing of nearby demolitions Door hanger content translated into both Spanish and Arabic Door hanger content updated to include additional health information from DHD FINAL REPORT: DEMOLITIONS & HEALTH TASKFORCE ■ 6 A2. Create an opt-in text message program to allow residents and other community organizations to sign up for demolition updates and request a home visit from the DHD Lead Advocate Team. Actions Taken to Date: APR 2017 The DBA and Health Department worked with the Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT) to develop a text message system to allow residents to request information based on their address. Once an address is texted into the system at 313-254DEMO (3366), residents receive a response with the addresses of upcoming demolitions happening within a 400ft radius of the address, as well as the projected date of demolition. Through text message prompts, residents can additionally request more information and sign-up for a visit from a Lead Advocate from the Health Department. Residents also can opt in to receive proactive text messages when a building within 400 feet of their home is scheduled for demolition. A3. Two weeks prior to a demolition a lead advocate should visit and provide demolition care packages to community organizations and homes with children under six years of age and pregnant mothers living within 400 feet of the demolition site (or within a radius of 8 houses). Actions Taken to Date: OCT 2017 A pilot program is being tested with the Lead Safe Blocks (LSB) project in 48214 to test feasibility of outreach to all homes prior to demolitions. FINAL REPORT: DEMOLITIONS & HEALTH TASKFORCE ■ 7 APR 2017 Through the new text messaging alerts, residents can opt-in to updates and request a visit from a Lead Advocate who will reach out to schedule a home-visit with the resident based on the texting. A4. Provide transportation, housing, and activity vouchers to families living within 400 feet (or within a radius of 8 houses) of a demolition site and with children under six years of age to allow them to relocate during demolition. Actions Taken to Date: APR 2017 Deemed to be unfeasible by Taskforce members due to potential logistic costs based on number of demolitions and number of potential households A5. Improve public visibility of the demolition checklist, protocols, and lead safe training materials on the DBA website. Actions Taken to Date: DEC 2017 SEP 2017 EPA Lead Safe training required in order for contractors to bid on demolitions. The updated Demolition Checklist, protocols included in the RFPs (see Appendix B) FINAL REPORT: DEMOLITIONS & HEALTH TASKFORCE ■ 8 A6. Provide Lead Safe training to Contractors. Actions Taken to Date: DEC 2017 The DBA will be requiring all contractors who bid on demolitions to have their permit holder and all site supervisors to have EPA Lead Safe Renovator training in order to submit bids. Lead Safe Certifications will be required for all 2018 bids. FINAL REPORT: DEMOLITIONS & HEALTH TASKFORCE ■ 9 During Demolition The Taskforce envisioned additional measures to check baseline compliance and performance of contractors and increased documentation to ensure protocols were followed. B1. Develop a mechanism for inspecting all demolition sites to develop a baseline for contractor compliance and performance. Actions Taken to Date: DEC 2017 SEP 2017 The DBA is planning to contracting with an independent thirdparty to complete routine assessments of compliance with the new Demolition Checklist An RFP has been developed in order to contract with a third-party to conduct compliance reviews for 80-90% of all demolitions that occur within a 3-month timeframe. B2. Develop a demolition checklist for contractors and independent inspectors that describes pre-, during and post-demolition activities. Actions Taken to Date: SEP 2017 An updated demolition checklist has been developed that clearly outlines the pre- and post-demolition activities that a Contractor should follow. The checklist is available on the DBA website (See Appendix B). FINAL REPORT: DEMOLITIONS & HEALTH TASKFORCE ■ 10 B3. Conduct ongoing air monitoring at demolition sites. Actions Taken to Date: SEP 2017 AUG 2017 Determined to be infeasible by the Director of Data, Planning, and Evaluation and Monitoring Workgroup of the Taskforce. Dr. Batterman found that additional air monitoring was outside of MDEQ’s network review for 2018, besides new sites in Delray. No additional lead (Pb) monitoring was added for 2018 and Susan Kilmer at MDEQ indicated that there is no funding to cover additional monitoring in 2019. B4. Conduct ongoing ambient air monitoring for lead at representative population sites. Actions Taken to Date: SEP 2017 Determined to be infeasible by the Director of Data, Planning, and Evaluation and Monitoring Workgroup of the Taskforce. B5. Implement wind advisories for demolitions. Actions Taken to Date: DEC 2017 The Contractor Scope of Services will include information on protocol to follow when the DHS wind advisory is sent. FINAL REPORT: DEMOLITIONS & HEALTH TASKFORCE ■ 11 SEP 2017 MAY 2017 DBA worked with DHS Ready Ops group to enroll all demolition contractors in an emergency alert system for wind advisories. DHS will be notified by DBA and will send notification to Contractors if wind exceeds 20mph. Dr. Batterman assisted in drafting a wind advisory protocol based on the current relevant research and literature. If wind speeds exceed 20mph, all demolition activity will be shut down. FINAL REPORT: DEMOLITIONS & HEALTH TASKFORCE ■ 12 Post-Demolition The Taskforce envisioned additional measures to check baseline compliance and performance of contractors and increased documentation to ensure protocols were followed. C1. Include clear signage on properties where demolitions are occurring to keep children out of demolition sites. Actions Taken to Date: DEC 2017 NOV 2017 AUG 2017 All new and updated signage will be printed before the start of Spring/Summer 2018 demolitions. The Health Department and DBA collaborated to develop a yard sign in order to notify residents and specifically children to stay off demolition sites post-demolition. A minimum of three (3) lawn signs will be placed on three (3) sides of the demolition property. The DBA’s large building signs have been updated to include the texting program. The Health Department updated and translated additional health information for the door hangers that will be distributed to all homes within a 400ft radius of a demolition. C2. Standardize street and sidewalk wetting procedures. Actions Taken to Date: MAR 2018 The DBA has updated their Contractor RFP to include hosing off the sidewalk and street post-demolition in order to remove any remaining toxic dust and debris. FINAL REPORT: DEMOLITIONS & HEALTH TASKFORCE ■ 13 C3. Consider offering protection to neighboring homes in adjacent properties Actions Taken to Date: MAR 2018 The DBA will require contractors, in good faith effort, to cover first floor windows on the facing side of homes adjacent to a demolition in order to reduce dust entering the home. C4. Develop a public dashboard of critical health and performance metrics for lead demolition contractors based on lead safety. Actions Taken to Date: MAR 2018 The DBA has a working dashboard that they are testing for all contractors. After testing is complete the dashboard will be shared publicly TBD. C5. Encourage the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) and the Michigan Department of Technology, Management, and Budget (DTMB) to improve bureaucratic processes for DBA and demolition contractors. Actions Taken to Date: APR 2017 The DBA has created a new database that is shared real-time with the MDEQ for inspections and violations by Contractors. FINAL REPORT: DEMOLITIONS & HEALTH TASKFORCE ■ 14 C6. Include a Health Department representative on the DBA Demolitions Appeals Board. Actions Taken to Date: APR 2017 The Health Department has had an active representative (Director of Data, Planning, and Evaluation) on the DBA Demolitions Appeals Board since April 2017. C7. The Demolitions and Health taskforce should be continued on a regular basis to provide timely updates to the epidemiological study, review monitored and collected data, analyze trends and performance metrics, continuously improve demolition protocols and conduct further research. Actions Taken to Date: NOV 2017 FEB 2017 The Health Department completed additional analysis on the first 6 months of 2017 to identify any potential change. No improvement was identified. An independent analysis of the demolition program will be completed in the future. The Demolitions and Health Taskforce has continued to meet on a weekly basis since the release of this report in February 2017. Data has continued to be updated with ongoing research and monitoring. FINAL REPORT: DEMOLITIONS & HEALTH TASKFORCE ■ 15 APPENDIX A: Original Taskforce Recommendations Report – February 17, 2017 Task Force Recommendations for Improving Demolition Safety and Health Standards Introduction In January 2017, the Detroit Health Department (DHD) convened a Taskforce on Demolitions and Health (“Taskforce”) to develop a set of recommendations for reducing exposures and potential health impacts associated with possible lead dispersion during demolitions. This taskforce brought together eleven (11) representatives from the Detroit Health Department, Detroit Building Authority (DBA), Detroit Buildings Safety Engineering and Environmental Department (BSEED), and the University Of Michigan School of Public Health. The Taskforce met four (4) times for two hours each on January 18, 23, 31 and February 7, 2017. During these meetings participants: • Reviewed the Health Department’s analysis evaluating the potential relationship between demolition activity and child lead exposure and provided methodological suggestions for strengthening the robustness of its results; • Reviewed DHD’s comparative analysis of existing pre, during, and post demolition protocols used in Detroit, Chicago, Baltimore, and the East Baltimore Development Incorporated (EBDI, which is a 501c3 organization that developed a case study for demolition protocols in partnership with Johns Hopkins University); • Discussed DHD’s set of initial policy recommendations for improving demolition safety and health standards in Detroit; and, • Collaboratively developed a set of final recommendations for improving resident notification, contractor and resident education, and agency enforcement processes before, during and after demolitions as well as next steps for implementing those recommendations. This first iteration of a report is a living document, which outlines recommendations and next steps. Background The number of children with elevated blood lead levels (EBLLs) in Detroit has decreased by more than 50% since 2009. The most common source of lead exposure in Detroit is dust from lead-based paint in old housing. Ninety-three percent (93%) of housing stock in Detroit was built before 1978, when lead-based paint was ubiquitous. This decline is likely, in part, the consequence of home abatement among affected children, outreach and education services for children and families affected by lead, and the removal of blighted homes via demolition. However, demolition may also release lead-containing dust into the environment, which may lead to acute (short-term) lead exposure, even while the removal of lead from the environment may reduce exposures to lead in the long run. The demolition protocol used by the Detroit Demolition Program (the “Detroit protocol”) borrows best practices from protocols across the nation, and is considered one of the most effective demolition protocols for suppressing fugitive dust – a potential source of lead exposure and elevated blood lead levels (BLLs) in children (EPA, 2014; Royan et al 2016). Use of the Detroit protocol resulted in 35 percent less lead dust, on average, than standard wet-wet demolitions (Royan et al. 2016). Detroit’s dust mitigation protocol was developed with the support of leadership from the Health Department, Buildings Safety, Environmental, and Engineering, and the United States, Environmental Protection Agency. Wet-wet demolitions are demolitions where both the structure and the debris are saturated with water to reduce fugitive dust. Generally, the structure is wetted before and during demolition, while the debris is wetted during transport; however, exact specifications can differ depending on contractor protocols and the building codes of the city where the demolition is occurring. Nevertheless, a recent analysis by the Detroit Health Department reveals that demolitions occurring within 400 feet of childhood residence 15 to 45 days prior to a blood lead test may elevate blood lead levels. This analysis is being replicated by 3rd party analysis to address the potential for stronger or weaker associations between demolitions and elevated blood lead. Therefore, additional measures are warranted to reduce or mitigate the potential child lead exposures in the current demolition process. This analysis also suggests that risk of increased BLLs is most significant for demolitions occurring during the months of May through September and for children living very close (within 200 feet) of the demolition. Effects were not significant for demolitions occurring during the months of October through April. This report outlines recommendations for how the Detroit Building Authority (DBA) and City partners could mitigate potential lead release and exposure. Given DBA’s success at reducing fugitive dust during and after demolition, these recommendations include improvements to notification and enforcement processes that can lower risks of exposure. Overall enforcement recommendations are provided, as well as recommendations pertaining to each stage of the demolition process – pre-demolition, during demolition, and postdemolition. The recommendations are meant to provide general guidance, and to spawn working groups that will operationalize them and fill in specific details. Further, this document is meant to be a ‘living’ document, with potential updates from subsequent working groups and task forces. FINAL REPORT: DEMOLITIONS & HEALTH TASKFORCE ■ 18 Taskforce Participant Roster Harolyn Baker, MPH Rhiana Gunn-Wright, MPhil Healthier Childhoods Division Policy Analyst Director Detroit Health Department Detroit Health Department Alex Hill, MA Stuart Batterman, PhD Data and Design Coordinator Professor of Environmental Health Detroit Health Department Sciences University of Michigan School of Eric Kessell, PhD Public Health Division Director of Health Policy & Planning Abdul El-Sayed, MD, DPhil Detroit Health Department Health Officer and Executive Director Detroit Health Department Paul Max, BSChE Environmental Specialist Brian Farkas, JD Buildings, Safety Engineering and Special Projects Director Environmental Department Detroit Building Authority Kim Rustem, MPP Lauren Fink, MPH Senior Associate to the Director Epidemiologist Detroit Health Department Detroit Health Department Raymond Scott, MPH General Manager Buildings, Safety Engineering and Environmental Department FINAL REPORT: DEMOLITIONS & HEALTH TASKFORCE ■ 19 Recommendations This first iteration of recommendations outlined below were identified by the taskforce as further public health protections that should be incorporated into the Detroit demolition protocols. Recommendations are organized by the three stages of the demolition process—pre-demolition, during demolition, and post-demolition—and can be broadly characterized as improvements in notification, education, and enforcement. As a next step, taskforce members should work in small groups and with contractors to develop detailed operational plans for each recommendation as well as a timeline for implementation. A. Pre-Demolition Recommendations The taskforce envisions a comprehensive alert and education system which would feature door hangers providing information for opt-in text alerts; visits by lead advocates for families with children under the age of six; comprehensive education and provision of demolition care packages; and provision of travel, recreational, or hotel vouchers. In addition, efforts to fortify and improve demolition protocol availability, metrics, and training are included. A1. At least two weeks prior to demolition, contractors should provide door hangers to all resident homes and community organizations located within 400 feet (or within a radius of 8 houses) of the demolition site. Currently, Detroit demolition protocols require contractors to provide door hangers to residents living in the eight houses closest to a demolition site at least three days prior to a demolition. However, a study of lead dust fall at scattered demolition sites in Chicago showed that elevated levels of lead dust can extend 400 ft. (or within a radius of approximately 8 houses) from the demolition site, placing non-adjacent residents at risk for increased lead exposure (Jacobs et al., 2013). These findings were consistent with the Health Department analysis. In order to strengthen public health protections, the Detroit protocol should require contractors to provide door hangers to households within 400 feet (or within a radius of 8 houses) of a site two weeks in advance to notify them of an upcoming demolition. Borrowing from best practices outlined in the Chicago, Baltimore, and East Baltimore Development Incorporated protocols, the door hanger should include the proposed start date of the demolition, the address of the FINAL REPORT: DEMOLITIONS & HEALTH TASKFORCE 20 demolition, contact information for the contractor, a link to a website and phone number families can call to receive further information about the demolition, information about an opt-in text messaging program for receiving alerts (described below), and tips for mitigating the spread of lead-containing dust (Baltimore Building, Fire, and Related Code 105.9.1; EBDI 2010; Chicago Municipal Code 13-124-105). A2. Create an opt-in text message program to allow residents and other community organizations to sign up for demolition updates and request a home visit from the DHD Lead Advocate Team. Text messaging has been shown to be an effective mechanism for health-related interventions aimed at underserved populations (Head et al., 2013; Free et al. 2013; Militello et al. 2016). This is due in part to the fact that lower-income populations are very likely to text and to rely on smartphones as their primary source of internet access (Smith, 2015; Smith, 2011). Detroit could create a text-messaging program – similar to Chicago’s ChiText and Notify Chicago! Initiatives – that allows residents to sign up for text alerts about upcoming demolitions on their street. The text program could also enable families with children six years of age and younger to request a demolition care package (e.g., containing lead cleaning and mitigation tools), an in-person visit from a lead advocate, and other information to help prepare for a demolition. The program should be run as a collaboration between DBA and the Health Department—wherein DHD uses DBA contractor data to send texts through a text-messaging system. DBA and DHD should work together to effectively design the text-messaging program, but the program should aim to notify families via text 36 hours before a demolition is to occur. A backup notification system and operational plan should be developed for notifying families In the event of an emergency demolition or other extenuating circumstances. Community organizations (such as churches, business and other community groups) located within or near the demolition zone should also have the ability to sign up for the text messaging program to improve the efficacy of the notifications, particularly for residents who do not live in adjacent properties, but who may still come into contact with the demolition zone. With prior notification, community organizations can help coordinate services to support residents living in the area. FINAL REPORT: DEMOLITIONS & HEALTH TASKFORCE 21 A3. Two weeks prior to a demolition a lead advocate should visit and provide demolition care packages to community organizations and homes with children under six years of age and pregnant mothers living within 400 feet of the demolition site (or within a radius of 8 houses). In addition to providing door hangers to families two weeks prior to a demolition, the Detroit protocol should require that up to two weeks prior to a demolition, families with children under six years of age living near an upcoming demolition who opt in via text message and/or are identified via birth certificate data receive a home visit from DHD lead advocates and a demolition care package. Lead education for families with children under the age of six is vitally important to reducing the risk of families and children unknowingly putting themselves in harm’s way. Studies have shown that residents leave windows open, leave pets outside, and even gather to watch demolitions (Farafel et al., 2003; AECF, 2011). Without education about the health impacts of demolitions, residents may unknowingly place themselves—and their children—at risk. Modeled from the EBDI case study protocol, where outreach facilitators were hired to distribute educational materials and conduct door-to door education at least two weeks before demolition began (AECF, 2011), the Detroit Health Department’s Lead Advocate Team would provide door-to-door education to families living within 400 feet (or within a radius of 8 houses) of a demolition site on how to mitigate the health impacts of lead-containing dust as well as distribute housing or travel vouchers requested by the family. To schedule a home visit and receive lead education services, families could either place a request through the DET-DEMO text message notification program or by calling the Health Department. Lead advocates would also visit schools, churches and other community organizations in areas with upcoming demolitions to schedule visits with interested residents. Lead advocates will be trained regarding how best to counsel families and to provide a balanced message about the benefits and potential harms of demolition, but lead education messaging should include: • Pre-Demo Education: o Providing information about how and where families can access fresh fruits and vegetables within the City. FINAL REPORT: DEMOLITIONS & HEALTH TASKFORCE 22 o Encouraging eligible families to enroll in WIC services to improve children’s access to fresh fruits and vegetables, which can help mitigate the negative physiological effects of lead. o Educating families about demolition safety procedures. o Educating families about the consequences of lead exposure. • Day of Demo Education: o Advising the departure from a house on the day of the demo and distributing “activity vouchers” (for a City recreation center activity, day camp, neighborhood ice cream day, etc.) to residents with children six years old and younger to encourage these families to leave the premises during active demolition. o Closing windows during a demolition--although messaging should address appropriate practices for families living in homes without air conditioning during the hot summer months. o Encouraging that people remain off the perimeter street during a demolition. • Post-Demo Education: o Advising that children should not play in the dirt. o Advising that parents should not let children or pets wander into demolition sites. o Advising proper clean up procedures, such as techniques for wiping down a house or window sills. The Detroit Building Authority (DBA) and Detroit Health Department (DHD) can partner to design the contents of the demolition care package to be brought by the lead advocates. They should target families with children under six years of age, develop an effective procedure for distributing care packages, and schedule home visits with the Detroit Health Department lead advocate team. For example, to target families with children under six, DHD could receive the addresses of all upcoming demolitions from DBA and then use birth certificate data to identify which homes within 400 feet (or within a radius of 8 houses) of the demolition site may have children under six. The Demolition care packages could include lead cleaning supplies for the home, hand wipes, a voucher for a fan, a microfiber cloth for cleaning windowsills (possibly printed with the information and phone number for text message notification), information FINAL REPORT: DEMOLITIONS & HEALTH TASKFORCE 23 about the text message notification program, an outline of the requirements contractors must follow during the demolition, a list of tips for how to protect children during the demolition, information about how to schedule a home visit and lead education services from a Detroit Health Department lead advocate, and information about how to request a housing or transportation voucher for families with children under the age of six (described below). A4. Provide transportation, housing, and activity vouchers to families living within 400 feet (or within a radius of 8 houses) of a demolition site and with children under six years of age to allow them to relocate during demolition Parents should also be able to request transportation or hotel vouchers if they wish to relocate during demolition. The demolition care packages would contain information about how a family could request these vouchers and the voucher could be distributed either during the home visit with a Lead Advocate or by mail. It should be made clear that relocation is voluntary and solely left to the discretion of the parents—even if vouchers are distributed without prior request and/or as part of the demolition care packages. As an alternative, demolition efforts could be coordinated with the Parks and Recreation department to set-up community activities for families within neighborhoods with high-levels of demolition so that they may remove themselves from the area. A5. Improve public visibility of the demolition checklist, protocols, and lead safe training materials on the DBA website Currently, the demolition protocol (titled “Scope of Services”) is located in the “Open RFPs and RFQs” section of the DBA website, on the DHD website, as well BSEED’s website. It should be moved to a more visible and prominent location to increase access and visibility. A6. Provide Lead Safe training to Contractors DHD should develop a Lead Safe Training for demolition contractors. This training would provide a standard knowledge base for contractors, help to ensure that they understand the dangers of lead dust, and, in doing so, provide the rationale for the increased focus on dust suppression. The focus of these trainings will be identifying FINAL REPORT: DEMOLITIONS & HEALTH TASKFORCE 24 sources and consequences of lead for children, but DHD will engage with contractors before and after each class to target the class to their needs. To clarify how contractors are interpreting the current guidelines, evaluate contractors’ baseline knowledge, and determine where further support and training is needed, observations—particularly of active demolitions—and interviews with contractors should be conducted. Interviews should focus on learning which parts of the current protocol contractors find most burdensome and identifying potential solutions. These interviews should also evaluate the lead safety culture among current contractors, including questions such as: • How does lead exposure occur to children? • What issues might be increasing the risk of child lead exposure? • How are contractors finding these issues? • Do contractors understand why they are looking for particular issues or problems, and if they find problems, what do they do as a result to fix them? • Can contractors describe a recent lead safety problem they encountered? How did employees respond, and what preventive measures are in place as a result? FINAL REPORT: DEMOLITIONS & HEALTH TASKFORCE 25 B. During Demolition Recommendations B1. Develop a mechanism for inspecting all demolition sites to develop a baseline for contractor compliance and performance. The Blight Task Force Report from 2014, reported that the City of Detroit, the Detroit Land Bank Authority (DLBA), and the Detroit Building Authority (DBA) recognized the lack of regulation around lead and how it is handled. At the same time they recognize the importance of creating a safe and healthy environment for Detroit residents. To that end, in April 2014 this team, along with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and Region 5 Environmental Protection Agency designed an approach that included, among other things, the use of field liaisons and use of “wet/wet” demolition removal techniques. In July 2015 to November 2015, the DBA provided complete access to demolition sites and work schedules to an independent research team from the University of Michigan School of Public Health audit and study the demolition work in the field. In February 2016, the preliminary results of this study found that "the Detroit Protocol" resulted in "lower geometric mean levels of lead dust than the wet-wet methods recently used in Chicago." The study called out that "the important strength of this work is the access that researchers [were] given to demolition sites, allowing us to capture the whole demolition event and also collect samples close to the work area." Currently 60-70% of demolitions are visited by Field Liaisons. However to gain even greater adherence to the Detroit Protocol, for a period of 1-3 months, independent 3rd party inspectors should seek to observe 90-100% of all demolitions, starting before the contractor begins work on site. The inspectors should confirm that contractors are in compliance with the DBA pre-demolition checklist. After the 1 -3 month period of targeting 90-100% inspections is over, contractors in compliance with the checklist, will drop to a 20-30% targeted inspections rate, while contractors deemed not in compliance with the checklist will remain at the targeted 90-100% inspection level and may be required to pay for the heightened inspections. These inspectors will be in place solely to monitor the work and will report any violations to DBA Field Liaisons. If FINAL REPORT: DEMOLITIONS & HEALTH TASKFORCE 26 contractors who have been dropped to the 20-30% targeted inspection rate are found to be in violation of their requirements, their targeted inspection rate will be increased back to the 90-100% targeted inspection level. B2. Develop a demolition checklist for contractors and independent inspectors that describes pre-, during and post-demolition activities DBA is currently developing a paper checklist for contractors of critical equipment that should be on site and procedures that should be followed and replicated across sites. This checklist should be published on the DBA website and residents should be encouraged to report non-compliant contractors to DBA. Critical procedures to follow should include: • Prescriptive standards and procedures for pre-wetting a house; • Prescriptive standards for open hole fencing; and, • Prescriptive standards for wetting streets and sidewalks post demolition. B3. Conduct ongoing air monitoring at demolition sites The current demolition protocol requires contractors to perform “daily air sampling and analysis for concentrations of lead dust in accordance with…MIOSHA.” Sampling is only required during demolition; contractors can discontinue sampling during load out, per their discretion. Permissible exposure limits are based on OSHA standards for adult workers, rather than EPA standards for EBLL in children. To date, monitoring has been conducted only for asbestos. Therefore, it is necessary to expand air monitoring to include sampling conducted specifically to monitor potential exposures of lead and dust generated by demolition and load out. Possible options for monitoring include: • Enlist third party contractors or field liaisons or independent auditors to conduct air monitoring; • Train contractors to measure the concentration of dust in the air, and require records of such measurements during demolition and load out; and, • Provide contractors with air monitoring equipment, which can measure the concentration of dust in the air; equipment used for asbestos monitoring could also be configured for lead monitoring. FINAL REPORT: DEMOLITIONS & HEALTH TASKFORCE 27 B4. Conduct ongoing ambient air monitoring for lead at representative population sites Ambient air monitoring is conducted by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and includes lead monitoring at several Detroit area sites (Allen Park, Salinas School in Dearborn, Fort Street, and Mt. St. Herman Baptist Church), however, these are mostly industrial sites and not optimal locations for demolition monitoring. Instead, population weighted monitoring for lead is desired. An additional permanent monitor should be installed on the East side of Detroit. Transportable monitors should be installed at selected demonstration sites to monitor pre, during, and post- demolition. Schools could also be a good location for placing additional air monitors. B5. Implement wind advisories for demolitions High winds can increase the spread of fugitive lead dust emissions (Farafel et al., 2005). Instituting wind advisories for demolitions—including “cutoff” wind speeds that require contractors to pause or delay demolition until winds die down—would mitigate these problems. The current protocol specifies a wind speed of 25 mph, but two part wind advisory is suggested where demolitions and load outs would not take place on high wind periods (above 15 mph) or if visible dust is seen or anticipated to migrate off-site. C. Post-Demolition Recommendations C1. Include clear signage on properties where demolitions are occurring to keep children out of demolition sites Clear signage should be installed near the sidewalk on properties where a demolition is occurring to encourage people to stay on the sidewalk. C2. Standardize street and sidewalk wetting procedures Levels of exterior lead dust declines post-demolition because of the combination of street and sidewalk wetting that occurs after knockdown (Jacobs et al., 2008). The EPA also recommends street wetting as an important lead abatement strategy after demolitions (EPA, undated). Detroit contractors are currently required to wet the sidewalks at two points: after demolition is completed and after the site is finished FINAL REPORT: DEMOLITIONS & HEALTH TASKFORCE 28 (DBA, 2016). Post-demolition street and sidewalk wetting should be standardized with prescriptive criteria, and consist of hosing off the streets and sidewalks. C3. Consider offering protection to neighboring homes in adjacent properties To further mitigate the risks to children living in adjacent properties, DBA could consider contractor protocols and protections for adjacent homes (such as wetting or other procedures) following the demolition. C4. Develop a public dashboard of critical health and performance metrics for lead demolition contractors based on lead safety Currently, the DBA does not have performance metrics for contractors beyond the number of violations and the number of demolitions completed. Instituting additional metrics based on lead safety and incentivizing good performance by highlighting those metrics on a public dashboard could both improve health outcomes and increase the effectiveness of current enforcement measures. These metrics could be integrated into DBA’s current suspension and debarment procedures to ensure adequate enforcement. Prior to developing the dashboard, the relevant legal, operational, and safety barriers should be explored and remedied. C5. Encourage the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) and the Michigan Department of Technology, Management, and Budget (DTMB) to improve bureaucratic processes for DBA and demolition contractors The Detroit Health Department should work with state agencies to make processes more efficient and help to focus the system on mitigating the public health consequences of demolitions. C6. Include a Health Department representative on the DBA Demolitions Appeals Board C7. The Demolitions and Health taskforce should be continued on a regular basis to provide timely updates to the epidemiological study, review monitored and collected data, analyze trends and performance metrics, continuously improve demolition protocols and conduct further research. FINAL REPORT: DEMOLITIONS & HEALTH TASKFORCE 29 Works Cited Annie E. Casey Foundation. 2011. “Responsible Demolition: A Baltimore Case Study with National Implications.” http://www.aecf.org/resources/responsible-demolition-abaltimore-case-study-with-national-implications/ Detroit Building Authority. 2016. “Scope of Services: Demolition of Residential Structures, Group # 12.12.16A.” http://www.buildingdetroit.org/opportunities/open-rfps-andrfqs/ East Baltimore Development, Inc. 2010. “Operations Protocol for Demolitions and Site Preparation Activities – Revised October 2010.” http://www.ebdi.org/uploads/pdfs/EBDIDemolitionProtocol.pdf Farafel, Mark et al. 2003. “A Study of Urban Housing Demolitions as Sources of Lead in Ambient Dust: Demolition Practices and Exterior Dust Fall.” Environmental Health Perspectives 111(9): 1228-1234 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1241579/ Jacobs, David et al. 2008. “Lead Particulate Deposition from Housing Demolition.” Research project for the National Center for Healthy Housing. http://www.nchh.org/Research/ArchivedResearchProjects/LeadDustandHousingDemolition.a spx Jacobs, David et al. 2013. “Lead and Other Heavy Metals in Dust Fall from Single-Family Housing Demolition.” Public Health Reports 128(6): 454-462. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3804089/ “Notice of demolition.” Chicago Municipal Code §13-124-105. https://chicagocode.org/13-124-015/ “Powers and duties of the Commissioner.” Chicago Municipal Code §11-4-2160 https://chicagocode.org/11-4-2160/ Royan, Regina et al. 2016. “Validation of dust suppression protocols for residential demolitions: Preliminary Results – February 2016.” Statement from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Quoted in Ferretti, Christina. “Detroit raises safety in residential razing, empowers neighbors to report contractors.” The Detroit News, September 8, 2014. http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/wayne-county/2014/09/08/detroit-raisessafety-in-residential-razings-empowers-neighbors-to-report-contractors/15264883/ U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 1990. “Asbestos NESHAP: Adequately Wet Guidance.” https://yosemite.epa.gov/r5/r5ard.nsf/2f86cbca09880b61862565fe005 88192/5927b8f7b071523a86256fc7006c5482!OpenDocument FINAL REPORT: DEMOLITIONS & HEALTH TASKFORCE 30 APPENDIX B: Demolition Checklist Daily Checklist for Demolition Contractors Fill out this checklist as the items are completed. Your Field Liaison may review this document at any time during the day. Check ‘Yes’ if the item is completed. Check ‘No’ if the item was not completed properly. Equipment Yes No ☐ ☐ There are enough hoses to properly wet the house, sidewalk, and to keep dust down. ☐ ☐ Water hoses do not have holes, and are and able to reach all areas of the worksite with proper water pressure. ☐ ☐ Water hoses have nozzles that can spray water in either a single stream, or a wide spray to keep down the dust. ☐ ☐ Proper hydrant wrenches (3 different types) are on site. ☐ ☐ Hydrant compressor to properly shutoff the hydrant. ☐ ☐ Backflow preventer is in use. ☐ ☐ Plugs for hydrants are available. ☐ ☐ All workers on site are wearing DBA Branded Vests. Yes No ☐ ☐ ☐ Preparing for Demolition Create a hole in roof with the basket claw, and return the basket claw to the ground. ☐ Spray a single stream of water into the hole for at least 5 minutes. Start time: ________________ End time: ________________ ☐ ☐ Wet the exterior of the house on all sides, including the roof. FINAL REPORT: DEMOLITIONS & HEALTH TASKFORCE 31 Yes No ☐ ☐ During the Demolition Water is constantly sprayed on the house. Demolition is completed with the goal of keeping down all clouds of dust. The water hose follows the basket claw until the house is fully ☐ demolished. ☐ Yes No ☐ ☐ Debris was hosed down as it was loaded into the dumpster. ☐ ☐ ☐ the dumpster. ☐ The alley behind the house was hosed down after demolition. Yes No ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ After the Demolition The sidewalk and street were hosed down after debris was loaded into Leaving the site each day Contractors must contain the demolition site with orange "snow fence" at the end of each day. The orange snow fence should be tightly secured, and not loose. The ☐ posts that support the fence must be no wider than 20 feet apart. Posts must be 24 inches in the ground, and have 4 feet of post above ☐ ground. FINAL REPORT: DEMOLITIONS & HEALTH TASKFORCE 32