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DPH seeks to protect firefighters in SOMA
By: Joshua Sabatini
Examiner Staff Writer
11/19/09 11:29 AM PST
Director of Public Health Mitch Katz said the Public Health Department’s air quality experts are assisting the fire department in its plan for a new Fire Station 1 in the South of Market Neighborhood.
The problem, Katz said, is that “Many parts of SoMa have relatively high levels of air pollution from roadways, making them undesirable for residential uses and creating challenges for site selection. SFFD, whose firefighters may work multiple 24 hours shifts per week, are concerned about employee health.”
The experts helped figure out the air quality at potential fire station sites in the neighborhood.
“The process allowed them to identify sites that would limit poor air quality exposure. Regardless of which site is ultimately selected, DPH experts will remain involved in the planning process to ensure that the design and ventilation of living spaces will minimize indoor air pollution exposure for firefighters,” Katz said in a report Tuesday to the Public Health Commission.
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