Global Community Monitor in partnership with the local community groups, Berkeley Air Monitors and the West Oakland Air Monitors, conducted air sampling near Pacific Steel Casting in West Berkeley and Custom Alloy Scrap Sales in West Oakland.

During this period, air-sampling results showed elevated levels of heavy metals that are associated with the industrial processes of each facility. Since 2007, and into 2008 with the release of the USA Today's series on "The Smokestack Effect Toxic air and America's Schools", our office has been busy working to answer questions from concerned citizens.

Due to these concerns, Global Community Monitor will be launching a bio-monitoring project to find out if residents living closer to Pacific Steel Casting and Custom Alloy Scrap Sales carry a higher level of heavy metals in their bodies.

Accumulation of metals or chemicals in the body is referred to as a burden. Studies testing human subjects for environmental exposure are often called "body burden".

To introduce this project to the community, Global Community Monitor will be sponsoring an informational meeting, Wednesday, Nov. 4. We will discussing the East Bay Body Burden project and would like to get input from key community leaders.

Wednesday, November 4
6:30-8:30 pm
David Brower Center
Tamalpais Room 2nd Floor
2150 Allston Way, Berkeley, CA 94704

There will be a presentation by Sharyle Patton of Commonweal on body burden studies in other areas, information about the East Bay project and time for questions, comments and suggestions.

To confirm attendance or if you have any questions about the meeting, please contact Ruth Breech at (510) 233-1870 or by email ruth@gcmonitgr.org.