Congressional Hispanic Caucus Calls On Delta Air Lines to Take Responsibility for its Role in Fuel Dump and Participate in Community Meetings

WASHINGTON—The Congressional Hispanic Caucus called on Delta to continue meeting with communities impacted by their January 14, 2020 fuel dump over the Los Angeles area. The incident rained jet fuel over at least six elementary schools where children were playing outside. Hundreds of children, including many Latinos, reported skin irritation and felt sick or nauseated, and may face long-term health consequences because of the incident. In the weeks since, Delta has stopped participating in some of the town halls and community meetings being held for those impacted by the fuel dump. These meetings serve as a venue for residents to share their concerns, learn about available resources, and attain answers to some of their questions as to why fuel was dumped on their communities.

The letter was signed by CHC Chairman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), leadership members Congressman Ruben Gallego (AZ-07), Congresswoman Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44), Congressman Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), and Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16), as well as Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-40), Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez (CA-38), Congressman Tony Cárdenas (CA-29), Congressman Gil Cisneros (CA-39), Congressman J. Luis Correa (CA-46), Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Congressman Raúl M. Grijalva (AZ-3), Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Congressman Mike Levin (CA-49), Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Congressman Raul Ruiz, MD (CA-36), Congressman Xochitl Torres Small (NM-2), Congressman José E. Serrano (NY-15), Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez (NY-12), Congressman Jesús "Chuy" García (IL-4), Darren Soto (FL-09) and Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28).

"We urge Delta Air Lines to continue to participate in these important community meetings. We insist Delta Air Lines take responsibility for its role in this fuel dump, which affected four Congressional districts, three represented by Congressional Hispanic Caucus Members. We also request that Delta Air Lines disclose the specific chemical composition of the fuel that Delta Flight 89 dumped on our communities, including the details of any jet fuel additives," the Members wrote. "Unfortunately, Latino communities and other communities of color often experience environmental injustices compared to other affluent and predominantly white neighborhoods. As Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, it is our duty to hold accountable polluters and industries that are causing harm to our children and families. Delta Air Lines is no exception."

Full text of the letter follows and can be found here.

Dear Mr. Bastian:

Leadership of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus has been advised by Delta executives that Delta Air Lines will no longer participate in certain town hall meetings concerning the release of jet fuel by Delta Flight 89 over communities in Los Angeles on January 14, 2020. We strongly recommend Delta Air Lines reconsider this decision. Our communities should not, and cannot, be ignored.

We urge Delta Air Lines to continue to participate in these important community meetings. We insist Delta Air Lines take responsibility for its role in this fuel dump, which affected four Congressional districts, three represented by Congressional Hispanic Caucus Members. We also request that Delta Air Lines disclose the specific chemical composition of the fuel that Delta Flight 89 dumped on our communities, including the details of any jet fuel additives.

As you are aware, jet fuel was dumped over populated areas, including at least six elementary schools. The full impact of this fuel dump on children and adults has yet to be fully realized. Teachers and children impacted by the fuel dump reported experiencing "the fuel on their clothes, flesh, eyes and skin. ... fuel penetrated their mouths and noses as well, producing a lasting and severe irritation, and a lasting and noxious taste and smell. The coating of fuel caused them to feel sick, dizzy, and nauseated." (1) These families also reported severe emotional distress from fear that the exposure to and ingestion of jet fuel could produce serious health consequences in the future

The town halls occurring in these communities serve as a venue for residents to share their concerns, learn about available resources, and to hear answers to their many questions as to why fuel was dumped on their communities. We find it disappointing Delta Air Lines failed to participate in local town halls, such as the Special Meeting hosted by the South Gate City Council on January 25, 2020 and the Community Town Hall hosted by the City of Bell Gardens on January 29, 2020.

Unfortunately, Latino communities and other communities of color often experience environmental injustices compared to other affluent and predominantly white neighborhoods. As Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, it is our duty to hold accountable polluters and industries that are causing harm to our children and families. Delta Air Lines is no exception.

We request an emergency meeting with you to discuss what steps Delta Air Lines has taken and will take to not only ensure that this type of fuel dump never happens again, but also to provide justice to the affected communities in Los Angeles County.

Sincerely,

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The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), founded in December 1976, is organized as a Congressional Member organization, governed under the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives. The CHC is dedicated to voicing and advancing, through the legislative process, issues affecting Hispanics in the United States, Puerto Rico and U.S. Territories.