Lead Poisoning Becomes Worse in America

Tags

lead replacements, lead substitutes

We’ve recently become conscious about lead and have actually made an effort to look at lead replacements and clean up lead from our streets and pipelines. We’ve long known that lead poisoning is a serious issue among America’s children. We’ve worked on the issue, and thought that we’re comfortably moving towards a better future.

Lead in Numbers

Unfortunately, it seems that the case of lead poisoning is even worse than before. According to researchers from the California Environmental Health Tracking Program, the number of children with high levels of lead in their blood was 1.2 million as of 1999-2010. And since testing rates have declined after 2000 and kids who aren’t tested don’t get reported to the CDC, this number is likely to be much higher today.

Researchers state that about 11 states, including Florida and Arizona, aren’t testing more than 80% of their children for lead poisoning. About 40 to 60% of the children in 28 other states aren’t tested for lead poisoning either. And this is not even counting the 12 states who don’t share their data with the CDC.

The numbers are quite alarming to pose a serious health concern. How is it that so many children aren’t being tested for lead poisoning? How is it that lead replacement strategies aren’t as effective as we’d want them to be? Since testing for lead isn’t required in the country, doctors usually miss children with high levels of lead in their blood. Many cases go undetected and countless children don’t get the treatment they really need.

Lead Isn’t Safe

No level of lead is safe. Studies show that minute concentrations of 2 micrograms per decilitre are enough to lower a child’s IQ. Once this level reaches 5 micrograms, children can also suffer from serious mental and neurological damage. The CDC found that as many as 0.5 million kids had elevated levels of 5 micrograms or higher in the year 2014. These kids accounted for 4.2 percent of the total number of kids tested at the time.

However, according to Eric Roberts, the lead author of a paper published in the Paediatrics Journal, this number isn’t consistent or complete. To calculate the number of cases that might have gone unreported, Roberts and his team used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted by the CDC. They combined this data with the census data on poverty, race, housing and other risk factors of lead exposure.

When the results were compared to CDC’s reported cases, it was found that more than 600,000 children with lead levels of more than 10 micrograms weren’t counted in CDC’s reporting. “People talk about the great public health victory over lead, which is true, but I think it kind of blinded us,” says Roberts.

How Did Things Go from Bad to Worse?

One of the biggest hindrances to fighting lead poisoning is that it isn’t legally required to test kids for lead in the US. In New Mexico, Washington, Colorado, Oregon and Nevada, only one out of 10 kids were treated for lead poisoning. Studies also focus on lead poisoning cases from houses built before 1950, but this has been inconsistent as well. Most of these houses can be found in the Midwest and Northeast regions, but Roberts says that the greatest number of lead poisoning cases can actually be found down South. The West isn’t doing great either.

America’s deteriorating infrastructure also poses a serious problem. Unlike Flint, water isn’t a huge problem in most states. The pipes are the main culprits. Prior to 1980, most drinking water systems used lead service lines, and as many as 6 million lead pipes are still in operation. That’s at least 10 million American households!

The Solution

Using lead substitutes to overhaul the drinking water system could cost as much as $1 trillion over the next 25 years. However, if an investment is not made now, we continue to risk poisoning children and ignore kids with high levels of lead in their blood. As seen in Flint, grassroots activism and advocating testing of lead is one of the only ways of throwing lead poisoning into the national spotlight.

Sure the fiasco was the worst infrastructure disaster the country has seen in decades. But it also showed us that homes and water systems across the country are at risk, and the issue is far worse than most suspected.

NASA to Test Radiation Shielding Vests on Lunar Mission

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lead-free shielding, radiation shielding, radiation shielding material, radiation shielding materials

NASA plans to send astronauts to Mars in the 2030s on a mission that could possibly shape the future of humanity for all eternity. Likely touted to be the most dramatic mission since Neil Armstrong first set foot on the moon, this mission could very well be the pioneering mission that sees humanity venturing towards other planets in search of new homes and great adventures.

This 250 million mile voyage is sure to be fun and exciting, but it is also full of peril. One of the main issues that astronauts shall face on their journey is the constant barrage of dangerous particles from the sun in the form of solar radiation. To ensure their well-being, Tel Aviv-based StemRad, a NASA contractor, recently unveiled the AstroRad Radiation Shield that is made of and Radiation shielding materials and is already ready for real-world trials. Mockups have already been made and tested and the first protective vest is expected to be produced by the end of the year. NASA even plans to test this vest in a lunar flyby mission scheduled for 2018!

The vest is designed in layers to look like a contoured map and need to be tailor-made for each individual. They use non-metallic and lead free shielding materials to protect body organs from radioactive particles and prevent any unwanted damage. This vest shall be strapped onto a device that monitors radiation absorption during the lunar flyby mission and this shall then be compared to an unprotected monitor to gather more data and test the vest in a real world application.

The concept has already been proven to work in a controlled laboratory setting, but one cannot be entirely certain until NASA’s Exploratory Mission-1, a joint collaboration between European Space Agency, Lockheed Martin and NASA is a go. The mission is currently expected to be an unmanned, but NASA is also exploring the feasibility of sending two astronauts.

StemRad CEO Oren Milstein believes that radiation shielding materials such as this vest shall make further deep space exploration possible. “Our breakthrough has come in creating the architecture of the multi-layered shield to accurately cover the most important organs,” says Milstein.

Moreover, the lunar flyby isn’t the only space mission planned for next year. Space X recently announced that it plans to fly two tourists around the moon in the year 2018 as well. Mission Mars just seems to have come one step closer to becoming a reality!

Copper Pipe Deal Finally in Place, Flint Moves Forward in its Road to Recovery

Tags

high density plastic, lead replacement, thermoplastic composite materials

The long turbulent road to recovery from the lead crisis of 2014 has forced residents to depend on filtered and bottled water to save themselves from the dangers of lead poisoning. That ordeal might finally be coming to an end as Mayor Keren Weaver announced that members of the Copper Development Association Inc. helped the city acquire 200,000 feet of copper pipes at a discount of $1 million to replace the lead-tainted pipes of about 5000 homes.

Lead poisoning has haunted Flint for far too long and news of Lead replacement come as a much-needed relief for citizens who constantly live in the fear of things like premature births, learning difficulties, high blood pressure, developmental delays and joint pains. This deal is the latest to become a part of the Fast Start initiative, a program to remove lead-tainted iron service lines and LSLs, starting with the worst affected areas and houses that have kids and senior citizen.

The Copper Vs. Plastic Dilemma

Flint long debated the copper vs. plastic pipe dilemma after CEO Walter Wang of JM Eagle offered to provide free polyethylene pipes to replace the lead service lines of all homes and businesses in the city, but a 1 million discount seems to have swung things in copper’s favor. High density plastic pipes are still under consideration though as the city plans to replace about 20,000 service lines that connect the water mains to city homes at a cost of $106 million over the next 3 years.

It is believed that JM Eagle’s offer prompted a research on the choice of pipes which boosted copper’s bid as the lead replacement material. Longevity was one of the key considerations with copper pipes enjoying life spans of 60 – 80 years compared to the 25 – 30 years offered by PE. The analysis also gave value to copper’s salvage value and raised concerns such as the taste and smell of water and the release of volatile organic compounds.

The pipe alliance has however argued that high density plastic pipes have been used to deliver water in the western United States since 1959, even in places with droughts or high seismic activity, because of its ability to offer a strong and flexible solution that doesn’t leak.

There is also talk about a pilot experiment being conducted to use high density plastic pipes as a lead replacement for service lines in several city blocks. Local contractors are expected to be trained to install these lines using a trenchless method. With the pipe bursting technology, we can be in and out of there in two weeks,” says Peter Dyke, executive director, Alliance for PE Pipe.

Winds of Change?

According to the analysis conducted by Flint, “there appears to be movement from plastics back to copper” when it comes to service lines. However, engineered thermoplastic pipes are also touted as instruments of change. The city of Livonia was one of the early adopters of PE pipes and those have been around for roughly 5 decades. Moreover, PVC is already used in several parts of the water distribution system and has been installed in cities such as Mount Morris and Burton.

“Michigan is using a lot of PVC pipe now and we’re very excited about the $1 trillion in infrastructure spending that may happen in the next 10 years under the federal program,” says VesoSobot, Director of Corporate Affairs for Ontario-based piping systems manufacturer Ipex Inc. Even Hamilton, Ontario, Flint’s sister city, has begun using PVC pipes for its water supply delivery mechanism.

While the city might be currently mooting copper, the key argument that seems to be keeping thermoplastic composite materials in consideration as lead replacement options for Flint is that they are far superior hydraulically and can work wonders in helping save electricity while pumping water while reducing the amount of water main breaks at the same time.

Lead Poisoning Claims Even More Victims

Tags

frangible projectiles, Lead free ammunition

Lead has been used by humans in various forms throughout the ages. From cooking utensils and beauty to commercial and industrial applications, this deadly toxin found its way into all walks of life before humans woke up and realized the danger that it posed in front of humanity and its future generations. Lead was consequently banned in the United States by the mid-nineties, but somewhat bafflingly, it is still used in bullets used to hunt small animals and game birds and in fish tackle. And this is when lead free ammunition is easily and readily available!

The case of lead poisoning is nothing new. Ask any resident of Flint on the dangers of lead and they would probably tell you horror stories as they recount their experience of having to deal with one of the worst health disasters in recent U.S. history. As a society, we seem to be ignorant to the dangers of lead, and that’s a huge surprise considering that agencies have been trying to promote lead free ammunition and educate people on the dangers of lead and lead poisoning for decades.

Bald eagles are the latest victims of lead with cases being reported all over the country. These birds often feed on carcasses that were killed by hunters using lead based ammunition and end up getting exposed to the dangers of lead. The problem is particularly concerning in the Midwest during deer hunting season as hunters often leave gut piles behind which are then scavenged by bald eagles.

One such bald eagle just succumbed to its death in Arlington despite the best efforts of the Sarvey Wildlife Care Center on the very same day when Interior Secretary Ryan Zinkecanceled a last-minute action taken by President Barack Obama to phase out lead based fish tackle and ammunition in national wildlife refuges by the year 2022.

Suzanne West, Director of Sarvey Wildlife Care Center recounts the plight of the dying bird. “This bird made very heart-breaking crying sounds all throughout the day and night. We can only try and hope for the best.” Such was the level of toxicity that the poor creature was subjected to that despite their best efforts, the center’s personnel couldn’t save the bird or reverse the effects of poisoning.

The order issued by the Obama administration was intended to protect these very birds from lead poisoning and promote the use of lead free ammunition. This ammunition, sometimes referred to as green ammo, is produced from frangible bullets made from nontoxic plastic or metal composite materials. However, reports state that Zinke believed that the order would have led to an increase in fishing, hunting and recreational shooting on lands that are currently managed by the Fish and Wildlife Service. The former congressman also highlighted the importance of consulting local communities and industry experts before passing such actions.

And it isn’t just the bald eagles or nature that is a victim of lead. Small children have also tested positive for lead poisoning after consuming meat from animals that were shot using lead ammunition. “It is bad for wildlife and it’s bad for kids,” says LessanaLahner, a Sarvey veterinarian. She urges using lead free ammunition such as lead-free frangible projectiles or copper bullets, both of which are proven save for wildlife and non-toxic for humans.

Taking the Fight to Lead Poisoning

Tags

Lead free ammunition, lead replacement, Lead substitute

Lead poisoning. You can’t live with it, and given how negligent we’ve been as a society to the whole issue, you certainly can’t live without it! In a sea of news talking about kids across towns and cities suffering from lead poisoning and toxic threats causing irreparable damage to the environment, it really made our day to learn that many public officials are now using advanced measures and lead alternatives to protect kids from lead poisoning. And we just HAVE to share this with you!!

Time to Take Action?

After a Reuters report identified more than 1100 communities where kids are showing rates of lead poisoning that are at least the double of Flint, public officials have finally started taking action through advanced screening measures, property inspections and Lead replacements. From Washington to Florida, health officials and property inspectors have begun conducting these programs and started educating locals on the dangers of lead poisoning and how to save their kids from the issue. The University of Notre Dame even offers a graduate course that lets students learn more about the issue and combat the issue.

‘Lead poisoning can cause immense damage to a child’s cognitive development and no amount of exposure can be termed as ‘safe exposure’. If you discover the presence of lead poisoning in the neighborhood, it is essential to look at lead alternatives and get rid of the issue as soon and as effectively as possible.

Dreaming of a Lead-Free World

‘We are acting with a sense of urgency because kids here depend on it,” says Heidi Beidinger-Burnett, professor at the Eck Institute for Global Health. Officials are also exploring lead replacements and measures to help protect children. Indiana Senator recently introduced a bill that shall compel the health department to double the blood lead screening rates of children enrolled in Medicaid.

Not to be left behind, California proposed a resolution that requires property owners to obtain safety certificates and lead inspections before selling or renting houses built before 1978. “We need to address that issue, that’s the bottom line,” agrees councilman Noel Gallo.

Joining the Act

Downwinders, a clean air advocacy group in Dallas, is planning an event that strives to address issues such as shuttered lead smelters and other lingering health hazards. Says director Jim Schermbeck, “Having five to six times the national average of high blood lead readings… has been getting people’s attention”

St. Joseph, Missouri, a place where as many as 120 kids had been poisoned with lead within a 15 block radius in the past 7 years also convened a meeting for department heads to discuss Lead replacement and strategies to get rid of the issue and save the city’s future.

When the dangers of lead first became clear, US regulatory agencies began the task of eliminating this metal from plumbing, paint and gasoline. However, the efforts made in the existing water supply infrastructure were limited, and this still manages to cause problems so many decades later. As we’re finally waking up to the dangers of lead, protecting ourselves against lead with lead replacements and lead alternatives becomes even more important.

Specific-Gravity Thermoplastics Open New Doors

Tags

high density plastic, thermoplastic composite materials

Thermoplastics and High density materials continue another year of growth as recent developments and innovative design changes allow these materials to offer even more benefits in all kinds of environments and applications. Thermoplastics found a place in mainstream business due to their ability to decrease the part count or weight of parts in a particular tool or appliance. Turns out that a new class of heavy plastics and high density compounds are entering the picture, ones that have a specific gravity varying between 1.8 to 10.

A Bit of History

To better understand how this could revolutionize the manufacturing process, let’s take a look at how engineered thermoplastics are made. After a base resin has been chosen, its electrical, mechanical and physical properties are altered and manipulated to achieve desired state. Fillers and replacements such as rubber tougheners (for flexibility), carbon-black fillers (for electrical conductivity) and glass fiber (for strength) are carefully chosen and added to finally create a material that can work wonders in making the manufacturing process faster, smoother and cheaper.

How are High-Specific-Gravity Compounds Created?

High-specific-gravity compounds are created by combining adding mineral or metallic fillers in thermoplastics. Base resins commonly used in this care are crystalline thermoplastics because of their flow properties. Common examples include polyesters, polypropylene, polyurethane and polyamides. Surface chemistry of fillers and particle size distribution is also important to ensure optimal processability..

The Journey from Light to Heavy

High-specific-gravity compounds can be classified into three different weight classes. Lightweight high-specific-gravity compounds have a specific gravity which varies between 1.8 to 4. These heavy plastics are commonly used in medical devices and to replace aluminium, clay or glass. Some of these compounds are used to add strength while others may be used to improve toughness. These compounds can be pigmented from brighter to darker tones.

Middleweight high-specific-gravity compounds have a specific gravity that varies between 4 to 7. These materials are usually designed to become magnetic and they fall in the same class as die-cast zinc. Many safety-restraint components used in automobiles are made using these high density materials and these parts can be colored in darker hues.

Finally, heavyweight high-specific-gravity compounds have a specific gravity that varies between 7 and 10. They offer solutions similar to lead, stainless steel and bronze and are a fantastic lead replacement for shielding x-rays in medical applications. Training rounds are also made using these compounds to minimize the use of lead while allowing the material to withstand muzzle pressure and still manage to disintegrate upon impact. Another application of heavyweight high-specific-gravity compounds can be seen in automobile steering columns.

Why is this Important?

What makes these high gravity compounds so special is that they not only manage to consolidate parts and custom-create properties in order to decrease costs, but also present the ability to dialin specific part weights across the density range, which even manages to touch lead and its alloys. To make matters even more interesting, these engineered thermoplastic composite materials also come with special abilities such as magnetic properties, noise reduction, frangibility, x-ray opacity and x-ray shielding. High-specific-gravity compounds are injection moldable in metal replacement solutions, which also eliminates the need for assembly operations and secondary machining, further reducing costs across the manufacturing channel.

Importance of Radiation Safety in Healthcare

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radiation shielding, radiation shielding materials, X-ray shielding

Thomas Edison made history when he invented the fluoroscope, but soon stopped his research after his assistant died from x-ray overdose. Marie Curie changed the world when she discovered radium, but soon died due to exposure. Modern-day experts have a far better understanding of how radiation works and are much better equipped to protect themselves from radiation poisoning with the help of radiation shielding and radiation protection methods. However, since radiation is odourless and invisible, it is easy to get complacent about its dangers, and that’s where we’re failing as a society. Radiation exposure can lead to all sorts of health issues, and it is essential to understand the importance of radiation safety.

Radiation in Healthcare

Radiation is commonly used in the field of healthcare, as it aids both patients as well as workers in several ways. Its regular need and pressing timelines also mean that it is often one of the most abused practices in the field, with many approaching radiation protection and radiation shielding in a wrong or incomplete manner. The dangers posed by radiation got a lot of attention when the New York Times published a number of expose on radiation overexposure and treatment accidents. This made the FDA and OSHA take a closer look at the issue.

The Issue of Radiation Safety

One of the main caused of overexposure to radiation is that most people who work with radiation protection and radiation shielding in healthcare only receive rudimentary training. While interventional radiologists are fully trained to use radiation safely, vascular surgeons and interventional cardiologists receive basic training and they may be unaware of the best risk reduction and safety procedures. To make matters worse, while radiologists have radiologic technologists as key members of their team, vascular surgeons and interventional cardiologists mostly have nurses for company.

Another issue is that people often use much more radiation than required. Unlike Japan or the EU, the United States places a great amount of stress on high quality images and this means more radiation.

Keeping a Check on Radiation

Radiation protection is the responsibility of the radiation safety officer and technologists who work in the radiation safety department in most hospitals. The safety officer keeps a track of the exposure faced by healthcare workers and all those exposed to radiation must undergo exposure assessment on a monthly basis. The state performs an inspection once or twice a year as well. Another preventive measure is that the Joint Commission requires all hospitals to have written procedures to help people understand the precautions to use before radiation exposure and learn more about how to use radiation shielding materials and radiation protection tools when dealing with hazardous materials such as x-ray equipment and tools that emit radiation.

Getting Complacent

All said and done, it’s quite easy and normal for workers to get complacent about radiation safety demanding the pressing and stressful nature of their jobs. Hospitals often get very busy and often times clinicians forget to wear the badge.

Improving Radiation Safety Standards

Luckily for those involved, it is very easy to make improvements in radiation safety. The most basic, and probably the first step to radiation protection, is to make those who work with radiation undergo a basic radiation protection course. It is also essential to ensure that technologists and nurses are encouraged to speak up and bring their concerns forward. Proper communication often helps solve most problems before they become serious. Reducing the amount of radiation dose also works wonders as it benefits patients as well as workers who get exposed to the radiation scatter.

Radiation shielding is another important method of protecting against radiation. Radiation shielding materials include personal shields such as lead glasses and aprons, equipment mounted shields such as protective drapes and architectural shielding.

When treated with the respect it deserves, radiation can be an immensely powerful and useful tool for mankind. However, keeping a check on exposure and making sure that radiation safety practices are followed is essential for the betterment of everyone.

The Plastic Road to Cumbria

Tags

heavy plastics, high density materials, high density plastic, thermoplastic composite materials

Heavy plastics have quickly emerged as one of the key materials for the modern world, making a place of their own in automobile and aviation market and quickly finding their way into most walks of life. There are several benefits of using high density materials, as they can be entirely customized to suit industrial requirements and eliminate the drawbacks posed by metals in all kinds of tools and appliances.

One of the latest ventures to see the use of engineered thermoplastics is roadways. Cumbria, a county in the UK, recently started creating plastic roads that are expected to be more durable and stronger than their counterparts. MacRebur, a local firm, is creating these roads using locally-sourced waste plastic to create MR6, a bitumen substitute that can be used in any standard asphalt mix.

These plastic roads are excellent news as they not only offer a unique opportunity for the world to reduce the carbon footprint of constructing roads, but they also reduce the amount of bitumen needed in the asphalt mix, thereby offering enhanced road performance and reducing the amount of maintenance work needed.

The Cumbria County Council trialled this new plastic road at a junction near Calthwaite in the month of December 2016. The work was carried out on a section of the road that had to undergo frequent repairs due to the number of heavy goods vehicles traveling to the water bottling plant and sand quarry nearby. The trial is expected to prove the durability offered by high density materials and heavy plastics, marking a huge shift in the way the world looks at road construction and maintenance.

Toby McCartney, the Managing Director of MacRebur, notes the leading role taken by Cumbria in road innovation and reducing the amount of waste being dumped into landfills thanks to this novel idea. The use of engineered thermoplastics is expected to mark a huge shift in road building, probably saving the environment a lot of stress in the process. This product has already found its way into private roads, but this trial is the first on a public highway.

McCartney also states that Cumbria is not the only area to take a keen interest in high density materials and heavy plastics. He mentions that the company received requests from all over the world, and that the product will now also be used for road surface repairs throughout the UK after Virgin Media’s underground cable works.

This trial shall be monitored for a period of 6 months, and following a successful completion, other roads across the country are expected to follow suit and switch to the use of engineered thermoplastics and high density materials as a more sustainable, stronger and more suitable solution to the issue of filling potholes and road surfacing.

Tackle Exchange Offers Hope to PEI’s Bald Eagles

Tags

Lead free ammunition, lead replacement, lead substitutes

You’re probably aware of the dangers posed by lead and why it’s so dangerous for man and nature. It causes irreparable damage in our kids and in the ecosystem and has a way of coming back from the dead to pose all kinds of problems.

In a previous article, we already spoke about Dr. Helene Van Doninck and her concern over a research she conducted to show that fishing and hunting were introducing lead into the environment and causing tremendous irreparable damage. Turns out, Van Doninck is now backing her research with some qualitative action through an innovative tackle exchange program that hopes to raise awareness about lead poisoning, introduce people to the concept of lead substitutes and reduce the impact of lead on the environment.

To counter this problem, the Co-Founder of Cobequid Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, Dr. Helene Van Doninck, is urging hunters and fishers in PEI to switch over to lead free ammunition and tackles and lead substitutes. According to the good doctor, scavengers, seabirds and bald eagles are all dying from eating animal carcasses that have been shot using lead bullets or caught using fishing gear that contains lead. Says Van Doninck, “if you took a standard 150 grain bullet, there’s enough lead in one bullet to kill 10 bald eagles.” It really doesn’t take much, does it!

Van Doninck recently gave a presentation in Charlottetown to raise awareness of how lead is poisoning nature and how simple things like using lead substitutes could do wonders for the environment. She says that there are a number of bald eagles suffering from lead poisoning that have been brought in from Prince Edward Island. In her presentation, she talks about the tackle exchange program which is being offered to communities across Atlantic Canada. This program exchanges old leaded tackles with lead substitutes in a bid to save the environment as far as possible.

Upon being contacted by interested candidates, Van Doninck makes arrangements to do a tackle exchange program in the community with the hope that the next time people from that community go to buy tackle or ammunition, they go for lead substitutes, and look for other retailers if their retailer doesn’t have them.

This program is also offered in Nova Scotia.

Lead Poisoning Not Just a Flint Issue

Tags

Lead free ammunition, lead replacement, lead substitutes

Missouri suddenly burst onto the national scene for all the wrong reasons when a single neighborhood had about 120 children being detected for lead poisoning since 2010, making it one of the most toxic areas in the state. Flint put the issue of lead poisoning at the forefront, as its residents complained of all kinds of problems after being exposed to lead. Despite that, Flint doesn’t even rank among the most dangerous places for lead poisoning in the US!

About 3000 areas in the US had lead poisoning rates that were more than double of Flint’s lead poisoning crisis at its peak. And roughly 1100 of these areas had poisoning rates that were at least four times higher! These areas can be found all over the country, right from Pennsylvania and Texas to Baltimore and Philadelphia.

Most of these areas have fallen victim to things like old plumbing, industrial waste and crumbling paint, but they simply haven’t received any attention or funding that can help them combat this with lead replacement methods and lead substitutes. To further examine the issue, Reuters examined blood testing results at a neighborhood level. This offered a minute insight into the government’s efforts to eradicate lead poisoning, most of which have fallen way short.

Says expert Dr. Egger, “the disparities you’ve found between different areas have stark implications. Where lead poisoning remains common, many children will have developmental delays and start out behind all the rest.” The CDC estimates that about 2.5 percent of the nation’s children suffer from elevated levels of lead poisoning, and this could lead to stunted development and reduced IQ.

Determining the Problem

Most state-wide and country-wide data on lead poisoning is too broad to determine where kids face the greatest risk of lead poisoning. This is why Reuters sought for neighborhood level testing data in all 50 states. It discovered that as many as 2606 census tracts (county subdivisions with 4000 residents each) and 278 zip codes (population of 7500 each) had levels of lead poisoning that are at least two times of Flint.

Co-chair of CDC’s Lead Content Work Group, Robert Walker, analyses the case of lead poisoning. “I hope this data spurs questions from the public to community leaders who can make changes,” says Walker. The findings will help educate the public about the risks posed in and around their homes and allow officials to seek grants for the most affected areas. The average levels of lead may have dropped by as much as 90% since lead was phased out from gasoline and paint in the 70s, but that really doesn’t make a difference to kids from one of these areas suffering from lead poisoning, does it? Especially at a time when lead substitutes are easily available!

The Vicious Cycle of Lead

As many as four million children in the US fall into a vicious cycle that involves cognitive deficits which lead to high dropout rates, lesser job opportunities, poor performance in school and problems with the law. Baltimore’s Freddie Gray is an example of what the fate this toxic substance leads to. Gray lived in an old house with lead paint and was exposed to developmental problems at an early age. Gray’s home lies in an area that is subjected to shocking levels of lead. His cycle met a sad end with a spinal cord injury in the back of a police van, which caused even more problems, fueling the debate of harsh policing in black neighborhoods. And Baltimore isn’t alone. States like Cleveland and Pennsylvania have similar problems as well.

The Need for Funding

Kids around the US go untested for lead poisoning, especially in the high-risk areas. Places like South Bend, Indiana witness a sharp cash crunch, which means that lead testing is on a serious decline, even when data points otherwise. In one particular track, as much as 31% of the kids tested between 2005 – 2015 had high levels of lead, which as 6 times that of Flint in the same period. Obviously, the area also has one of the highest poverty rates in town. “We are the lowest of the low in terms of public health funding,” says Dr. Luis Galup, the county health officer. “It’s an eye-opener,” Mayor Pete Buttigieg notes of Reuters study. “The county health department does everything they can just to keep up with child immunizations and restaurant inspections,” he adds.

What’s needed is an integrated approach to tackle the case of lead poisoning, focusing on high-risk areas and trying to eliminate this issue with the help of lead replacement methods and lead substitutes. It needs a coordinated effort between federal and state officials, and that is easier said than done. That said, with increasing public awareness, and thanks to the Reuters study, new avenues of funding should open up as more and more people are made aware of lead poisoning and its dangers.