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Full-Text Articles in History
Interview No. 1662, Roberto Flores, Pedro Flores, Romelia Flores
Interview No. 1662, Roberto Flores, Pedro Flores, Romelia Flores
Combined Interviews
Mrs. Flores was born and raised in Smeltertown, her husband was a resident as well. She describes the lead poisoning problem, which Mrs. Flores believes was an attack against ASARCO. Their daughter was diagnosed with lead poisoning and had to seek medical treatment. Both family members remember there being smoke and pollution but did not see it as a risk because none of them suffered any illnesses. Mrs. Flores also describes healthy children and recalls being healthy, she is very skeptical of the lead poising cases. She also discusses the community being skeptical of poisoning. Flores discusses her daughter being …
Interview No. 1660, Andres Bustillos
Interview No. 1660, Andres Bustillos
Combined Interviews
Andres Bustillos was raised in Smeltertown. He attended El Paso High School and the University of Texas at El Paso. He describes Smeltertown as a place where everyone knew everyone. Bustillos discusses the ASARCO led poisoning case, where fumes were being carried in the air. ASARCO sent flyers and held meetings inside of churches which rose awareness. Bustillos discusses his father attending these meetings and seeing people suffering of lead poisoning. He also discusses the political actions taken by those of Smeltertown, such as going to city council. When city council suggested that people move out of Smeltertown, but the …
Interview No. 1661, Ruben Escandon
Interview No. 1661, Ruben Escandon
Combined Interviews
Ruben Escandon was born and raised in a neighborhood called “La Calavera.” This neighborhood was established before Smeltertown. He describes his childhood as being active and a great sense of community. The neighborhood had open spaces with allowed families to have livestock. The interview focuses around lead poisioning from ASARCO. He recalls being tested for lead poisioning, along with his neighborhood. His neighborhood was not affected as much as those who lived closer to the large smoke stack. Escandon describes how lawyers and politics effected the Smeltertown. People began to move out of the area to other parts of El …