Neighbors try to hose down their homes to cut down on the heavy dust. They fear it will settle in their lungs and damage their health. A group of moms takes their children to the hospital to test for elevated lead levels and other health problems. Both my daughters need an inhaler, my oldest needs it all the time. Caltrans insists they are taking all the necessary steps to protect and inform the residents of the potential hazards.
Construction workers wear personal air monitors and work around portable air monitoring stations.
Brigetta Smith of Caltrans says there have been times that the meters have spiked. Caltrans claims most of the construction right now involves concrete dust. But they admit they are trying cover and isolate lead particles from the old bridge paint, which is falling onto the streets. Because of citizen complaints, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District sent investigators to this area. They did not issue any violations based on current weather conditions.