User Rating: 5 / 5

Star ActiveStar ActiveStar ActiveStar ActiveStar Active
 

Many years after removing lead from product, poisoning is still an issue.

Lead Was Phased out of gasoline in the U S beginning in 1976 Lead Was Phased out of gasoline in the U S beginning in 1976 For those who do not know of the name Freddie Gray, he was a 25 year old African American man from Baltimore, MD. On April 12, 2015, he was arrested by local police. One week later on April 19, Gray died from injuries to his spinal cord while in police custody. Six Baltimore police officers have been brought up on charges in connection to Gray’s death. The aftermath has been a highly controversial and debated topic with heated reactions and speculations surrounding the incident. Riots also broken out in the aftermath, resulting in arrests, injuries, looting, and buildings burned. Other cities followed Baltimore’s lead with their own protests including Washington D.C., New York City, and Chicago.

Amongst the many speculations that came out after the incident included Gray being in a car accident and receiving spinal fusion surgery. Further investigation revealed that Gray and his sister had a history of lead poisoning.   As children, toxic levels of lead had been found in their blood that was double what the state deems as poisoning. According to a 2008 lawsuit filed by the Gray family, the home they rented had lead paint peeling off the walls leading to educational, behavioral, and medical problems.

Incidents like Freddie Gray and his sister are not isolated. An estimated 535,000 children (1 in 38) in the United States has a level of lead in their blood that is deemed harmful. According to the Centers for Disease Control, a concentration of 5 micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL) or greater is considered lead poisoning.

Dust from lead based paint in contaminated buildings and homes are the most common source of lead poisoning in children. Despite being removed from paint in 1978, many older houses and buildings still have lead based paint lurking on their walls, especially those built before 1960. Soil and water can also contain traces of lead especially in areas where old factories and manufacturing occurred. Toys, batteries, and many household items can contain traces of lead.

Lead Based Paint Chipping off Walls is a Leading Source of Lead Poisoning Lead Based Paint Chipping off Walls is a Leading Source of Lead Poisoning Lead poisoning does not occur with a single exposure to a contaminated product, it builds up over long term exposure. Lead is fairly common in the environment and it is not hard to find someone with levels of it in the blood. Adults can even tolerate low levels in their blood where below 20 µg/dL is considered normal. Low blood/lead levels in children however are much more critical as the heavy metal can be detrimental to growth and development. Delays in development, irritability, learning disabilities, slowed growth, and weight loss are just some of the symptoms associated with lead poisoning. There is not a clear blood level threshold in which children are not at risk although many believe that blood/lead levels of 10 µg/dL and above are considered detrimental to the development of children. That is why the CDC lowered its level of concern from 10 µg/dL to 5 µg/dL 2 years ago in order to more closely monitor at risk children.

water contaminantswater contaminantsThe Lead Contamination Control act of 1988, passed by the US Congress, was a measure to eliminate lead from drinking water and give the CDC control over grants that would allow treatment for children with unsafe blood-lead levels. The goal was to eliminate lead poisoning in children by 2010. In the minds of many, including U.S. government officials, lead poisoning is a problem of the past. It is hard to argue with the numbers when in the early 1980’s, 88% of children were believed to have elevated levels of lead in their blood. In recent years, funding for the CDC Lead Poisoning Prevention Program was severely slashed like in 2012 which saw a drop from $29 million to $2 million.

Freddie Gray is seen being taken into custody by Baltimore Police on April 12 in this still from a cell phone video. (Baltimore Sun)Freddie Gray is seen being taken into custody by Baltimore Police on April 12 in this still from a cell phone video. (Baltimore Sun)The incident involving Freddie Gray continues to be filled with controversy and speculation, but it did bring to light an issue that effects many people but has very little awareness. With an estimated 38 million homes in the United States that still have lead paint on the walls, poisoning is still an issue. The CDC and the Department of Human and Health services both still aim to eliminate lead poisoning in children as they view it as one of the most preventable environmental diseases. Despite over a half a million children with toxic levels of lead in their blood, these rates continue to drop. A simple blood test is all it takes to determine exposure to a substance that can have permanent impact.

If you would like to make any comments on this article please contact Daniel at

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.Daniel J. Steiger

By Daniel J. Steiger

 

News - General News - Environment

  • Flint Water Plant
    May 13, 2016

    The Flint Water Crisis

    How a failure in government led created a tragedy. By Daniel J. Steiger “I’ve got your…
    3795
  • Satimat swatch
    Nov 20, 2015

    Satimat Swatch Updated

    Antalis produces new Satimat swatch. Antalis UK has produced a new Satimat swatch. The…
    3424
  • In 2015 wildfires have burned over 8 9 million acres of land in the United States
    Sep 25, 2015

    Fighting Fires

    Wild fires are raging out of control in the Western U.S. As a wildfire raged through…
    3773
  • Cecil the Lion
    Sep 11, 2015

    Africa’s Big Game

     The killing of Cecil the Lion is a small piece of a huge issue. Walter Palmer quickly…
    3526
  • Great White Shark
    Jul 31, 2015

    When Sharks Attack

    Do swimmers have to be afraid to enter coastal Carolina waters? The very mention of…
    3506
  • Currents of the Atlantic Ocean
    Jun 19, 2015

    The Atlantic Ocean Is Cooling Down

    Temperatures in the Atlantic Ocean will alter weather conditions around the…
    3757
  • Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang
    May 29, 2015

    All Aboard the Amazon Express

    China Announces Plans to Build a Railway Through the Amazon Rainforest Chinese Prime…
    4438
  • Mimaki Inks attain GREENGUARD GOLD Accreditation
    May 25, 2015

    Mimaki Inks Receive GREENGUARD GOLD Accreditation

    The benefits of original Mimaki inks further emphasised by latest GREENGUARD GOLD…
    3781
  • Lead Was Phased out of gasoline in the U S beginning in 1976
    May 15, 2015

    Get The Lead Out

    Many years after removing lead from product, poisoning is still an issue. For those who…
    4073
  • limbitless solutions
    Apr 24, 2015

    Is 3d Printing Environmentally Friendly?

     This technology is making an impact, but is it all positive? Limbitless Solutions is a…
    4415
  • 9 8 billion K-cups were sold in 2014
    Mar 27, 2015

    A Conveniently Growing Problem

    *K-Cups have experienced explosive growth but not all is great with the popular…
    4482
  • A view of the sunrise on top of Mount Haleakala
    Mar 18, 2015

    The Aloha State

    Hawaii may seem perfect, but it is not problem free! It is an exhilarating experience…
    3990
  • Earthquake damage on a roadway
    Feb 06, 2015

    Earthquakes That Are Man Made?

    Earthquakes are occurring in areas where they were once rare. When the topic of…
    4427
  • Jan 09, 2015

    The NHL Has The Mumps

    The virus gains attention as it spreads through hockey. While the National Hockey League…
    4685
  • A roof collapsed at Schmidt's Collision and Glass after taking heavy snowfall
    Dec 05, 2014

    How Much Snow Is Too Much?

    Even snowy Buffalo, NY gets challenged by winter weather. There are not too many things…
    4529
  • Power Plant
    Nov 24, 2014

    Let’s Make A Deal (on emissions)

    Can an agreement work between the world’s leading carbon emitters? As we progress toward…
    5393
  • cat & coyote
    Oct 31, 2014

    While The Coyotes Away The Cats Will Play

     What happens when the coyote adapts to city life? Do you know where your cat goes at…
    4795
  • Symptoms of Ebola
    Oct 17, 2014

    Ebola in America

    Is this deadly disease a real threat, or just sensationalized! Thomas Eric Duncan arrived…
    4719
  • climate summit march New York September 2014
    Oct 03, 2014

    The Peoples Climate March

    Massive numbers of people gather for climate change. Driving in Manhattan is a fun…
    4708
  • Tesla Model S
    Sep 16, 2014

    Tesla's Announces New Battery Plant

    Can Tesla produce a more affordable electric vehicle? Tesla Motors Inc made headlines on…
    4647
  • the look of a curious mind Daniel Steiger
    Aug 23, 2014

    Ladies And Gentlemen: The Beetles

    Nauseating little creatures that can impact the future. Beetles are very impactful in…
    4890
  • The Look of a Curious Mind
    Aug 08, 2014

    Yeast Rising

    A tiny microbe capable of amazing things. Many people in the United States have taken to…
    4318
  • the look of a curious mind
    Jul 18, 2014

    Turtle Crossing

    A very unusual reason for flight delays. John F Kennedy international airport sits 12…
    12780
  • The Look of a Curious Mind
    Jun 27, 2014

    All About Coral.

    Small organisms that carry a lot of weight. The warmer months provide me with a great…
    4938
  • L - R Jacinta Sullivan, Project Hangup with David  Borrington from Dekkle Printmaking Studio
    Jun 06, 2014

    Project Hangup

    Antalis lends support to latest design-led ‘Project Hangup’ environmental…
    5135
  • Two Sides Logo
    May 30, 2014

    Is Greenwashing Returning?

    Are Banks reneging on promises to move away from misleading environmental marketing? It…
    6079
  • The Look of a Curious Mind
    May 09, 2014

    A Whale Of A Tale

    The World’s Largest Animal is Quite Intriguing. One of my favorite exhibits at the…
    5085
  • the look of a curious mind
    Apr 25, 2014

    Yellowstone: Is it going to blow?

    Recent activity at Yellowstone National Park has people wondering.I saw a video recently…
    5303
  • the look of a curious mind
    Apr 04, 2014

    Oil And Water Don’t Mix

    The Galveston Bay oil spill looms large in a region still recovering from a previous…
    4838
  • the look of a curious mind
    Mar 14, 2014

    Everything Is Drying Up

    California’s Record Drought may only be just beginning. California has grabbed many…
    4448
  • the look of a curious mind
    Feb 21, 2014

    Microbes Are The Good Guys

    Extreme organisms that are not only important, they may change science. The nature of…
    5569
  • the look of a curious mind
    Feb 01, 2014

    Maintaining Balance

    Simple changes can have a profound effect on ecosystems. The Leeds Pond Preserve sits…
    4941
  • the look of a curious mind
    Jan 10, 2014

    Shaping Our Future

    Advances in technology will change the way we get energy It seems very easy to get…
    4788
  • the look of a curious mind
    Nov 29, 2013

    Preserve The Preserve

    Educating youth plays an important role in the environment. At a recent holiday event at…
    4959
  • Daniel Steiger - the look of a curious mind
    Nov 15, 2013

    Watch Out! There’s A Hurricane Coming Through

    Is global warming causing tropical activity to increase? It was pure luck that I was able…
    5675
  • The look of a curious mind
    Oct 25, 2013

    Who’s Afraid Of A GMO?

    Engineered food product debate continues in the US. It was interesting to see a group of…
    5405
  • Shelf of nappies
    Sep 14, 2012

    The Nappy Mountain

    Parents anxious to reduce their children’s carbon foot print and are looking for…
    9032
  • NatureNetting at London Olympics 2012
    Sep 07, 2012

    New Environmentally Friendly Material from CERES MEDIA INTERNATIONAL

    A Compostable Screening Material Currently Approved and Available Commercially. UK based…
    5581
  • Petrol-tank
    Aug 03, 2012

    The environmental cost of diesel laundering

    Multi-million euro business costs the exchequer over 100m a year in lost tax revenue. It…
    9615
  • Old style garden
    Jul 06, 2012

    The vanishing gardens of suburbia

    What is the result of this cementing over of once green earth? When my family came to…
    9141
  • Green-Room-garden---Bloom-2012
    Jun 20, 2012

    Blooming gardens

    Great to look at but do they pose environmental difficulties The typical Irish urban…
    11078
  • Jun 08, 2012

    The case of the disappearing bees

    Each spring, the pear farmers of Sichuan province in China get out their ladders and…
    10512

Newsletter Signup

Signup to our newsletter