Brooke - Vallco impact on nitrogen deposits, health impact of car emissions, PCB

From: Brooke

To: PiuChosh@cupertino.org, cityclerk@cupertino.org, citycouncil@cupertino.org
Sent: 11/16/2015 4:20:06 P.M. Pacific Standard Time
Subj: Vallco EIR Request

Dear Commissioners and Council Members:

The proposed Vallco project, aka “The Hills at Vallco” has the potential to impact Cupertino for generations.  Because of the enormity of the impact, it is the imperative that the environmental impacts of such a commitment be studied in depth as it will impact the nature of the community, habitat, and the health of its residents.  In particular, I am requesting the following issues be evaluated and studied because of the health impacts on residents because of the addition of 2 million square feet of office space in Cupertino:

·         The impact of nitrogen deposits on the native habitat in the area, including, but not limited to--the vertebrate, invertebrate, and plant species listed in the final Santa Clara Valley Habitant Conservation Plan.  The listed species are:

·          Invertebrate
Bay Checker spot Butterfly

·         Amphibians & Reptiles
California Tiger Salamander
California Red-legged Frog
Foothill Yellow-legged Frog
Western Pond Turtle

·         Birds
Western Burrowing Owl
Least Bell’s Vireo
Tri colored Blackbird

·         Mammals
San Joaquin Kit Fox

·         Plants
Tiber Indian Paintbrush
Coyote Acanthus
Mount Hamilton Thistle
Santa Clara Valley Dudleya
Fragrant Fritillary
Loam Prieta Hoita
Smooth Lessingia
Metcalf Canyon Jewelflower
Most Beautiful Jewelflower

·          The study conducted for Santa Clara County demonstrated that nitrogen deposits from the emissions additional automobiles in the target area enriched the serpentine soils, causing invasive species to crowd out native species that are accustomed to poorer soils.

·         The impact car emissions of carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter and ozone on pregnant women because of the projected increase of an additional 79,000 car trips.  The prolonged exposure to these compounds during the first 8 weeks of pregnancy, according to medical studies, is associated with neural tube defects or malformations of the brain and spine. According to Stanford University School of Medicine pregnant women who are exposed to high levels of carbon monoxide were almost twice as likely to give birth to children with spina bifida or anencephaly as pregnant women with a lower level of exposure.  

·         The impact car emissions of carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter and ozone on young children because of the projected increase of an additional 10,000 + commuters.  A UCLA study indicates that children exposed in utero to pollutants are more likely to die in infancy, have respiratory and digestive problems. The UCLA study indicated that infants living in areas with higher level air pollution were at greater risk of death the first year of life from respiratory issues, like Sudden Infant Death Syndrome or SIDS.

·         The health impacts that car emissions of carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter and ozone have on children with asthma and other respiratory issues.  The UCLA study authored by Drs. Ritz and Williams noted that children living in areas with high traffic 500-1000 or their homes were more likely to visit emergency rooms or be hospitalized for respiratory issues than children not living close to traffic.

·         The impact on the health of the community because of toxic releases into the air resulting from of the destruction of the current Vallco mall, particularly from asbestos, a known carcinogen.  Asbestos has banned from wide scale use in the United States since the 1970’s because it is a carcinogen, causing a cancer of the abdomen and lungs. In addition, asbestos has been shown to be linked to higher rates of gastrointestinal and colorectal cancer. There is also an elevated risk of throat, kidney, gallbladder, and esophageal cancer linked to asbestos.

·         The impact of PCBs on health of human life and the lives of other species. PCB’s have been demonstrated to have a significant on human health according to the United States Environment Protection Agency.  People with significant PCB exposure have an increased risk of developing non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and Epstein-Barr syndrome. Women who have had significant exposure to PCB’s have had difficulty conceiving and give birth to lower birth weight babies, setting these children up for a lifetime of compromised health. Exposure to PCB’s has been linked to neurological deficits in both humans and animals.

I would like for these toxic building materials to be examined at multiple depths and locations throughout the site. I understand that after discussing the site with the EPA, that Perkins and Will has put together a database listing all toxic building materials used in construction.  The city needs to have its agents examine the site for these substances as well.

 

Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.

Regards,

Brooke Ezzat