Introduction
Silent consequences and possibly lethal; lead poisoning is a top environmental health issue for children. Picher, Oklahoma fell victim to the devastation that can be caused by lead poisoning. Zinc and lead were major resources available in Picher making it a booming mining city. During the early 1920’s, lead exposure was not a high priority concern. Consequently, miners were dumping the waste from mining in the form of hills on the streets. When miners were digging up the lead and zinc, they were digging so close to the surface that the houses and the ground would cave in. These holes filled with contaminated lead water. When it would rain, the waste drained into the ponds and the water supply, thus contaminating the water. People …show more content…
At least 4 million households today that have children in them, have had some lead exposure (CDC, 2016). Children are exposed to lead because lead cannot be tasted, seen, or smelled (OSDH, 2016). With that being said, families and individuals may not even be aware that lead is in their homes. Numerous sources of lead include lead-based paint in older housing, old plumbing systems, soil, and dust (OSDH, 2016). The most common one is lead-based paint, although it is no longer used. Twenty-four million housing units have deteriorated lead-based paint with toxic dust. Lead-based paint still remains in older housing all across the United States. Seemingly, houses that are built before the 1950’s and until 1978 are more likely to have remnants of lead-based paint. After many years of the paint being left on the walls, it starts deteriorating. It turns into dust that is toxic with lead. Another common source is the lead in old plumbing systems. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (2016), homes are more likely to have lead pipes and fixtures if they were built before 1986. When the old pipes begin to corrode, the lead off the pipes would enter the water. Thus, creating contaminated water in the …show more content…
Children and fetuses are at the most at risk of lead poisoning. When they have been exposed to lead poisoning, they show a variety of signs and symptoms. Lead poisoning can be prevented and easily treated. There are various community programs and organizations that can help with lead in the homes and in the water. In order for programs and communities to have knowledge that it is a problem, advocacy must be put into action. Leaders must be recognized and influenced. To further help the problem of lead poisoning, it should become better known to the public. It should also be offered that low-income housing should be remodeled after so many years. There should be more services and programs that are available to Americans to help with lead poisoning because low-income and minorities are not privileged and more than likely cannot get help. Programs should be made more available for these populations. Nevertheless, lead poisoning and its harm is more known today than it was, and individuals are more likely to know lead poisoning is a
Silent consequences and possibly lethal; lead poisoning is a top environmental health issue for children. Picher, Oklahoma fell victim to the devastation that can be caused by lead poisoning. Zinc and lead were major resources available in Picher making it a booming mining city. During the early 1920’s, lead exposure was not a high priority concern. Consequently, miners were dumping the waste from mining in the form of hills on the streets. When miners were digging up the lead and zinc, they were digging so close to the surface that the houses and the ground would cave in. These holes filled with contaminated lead water. When it would rain, the waste drained into the ponds and the water supply, thus contaminating the water. People …show more content…
At least 4 million households today that have children in them, have had some lead exposure (CDC, 2016). Children are exposed to lead because lead cannot be tasted, seen, or smelled (OSDH, 2016). With that being said, families and individuals may not even be aware that lead is in their homes. Numerous sources of lead include lead-based paint in older housing, old plumbing systems, soil, and dust (OSDH, 2016). The most common one is lead-based paint, although it is no longer used. Twenty-four million housing units have deteriorated lead-based paint with toxic dust. Lead-based paint still remains in older housing all across the United States. Seemingly, houses that are built before the 1950’s and until 1978 are more likely to have remnants of lead-based paint. After many years of the paint being left on the walls, it starts deteriorating. It turns into dust that is toxic with lead. Another common source is the lead in old plumbing systems. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (2016), homes are more likely to have lead pipes and fixtures if they were built before 1986. When the old pipes begin to corrode, the lead off the pipes would enter the water. Thus, creating contaminated water in the …show more content…
Children and fetuses are at the most at risk of lead poisoning. When they have been exposed to lead poisoning, they show a variety of signs and symptoms. Lead poisoning can be prevented and easily treated. There are various community programs and organizations that can help with lead in the homes and in the water. In order for programs and communities to have knowledge that it is a problem, advocacy must be put into action. Leaders must be recognized and influenced. To further help the problem of lead poisoning, it should become better known to the public. It should also be offered that low-income housing should be remodeled after so many years. There should be more services and programs that are available to Americans to help with lead poisoning because low-income and minorities are not privileged and more than likely cannot get help. Programs should be made more available for these populations. Nevertheless, lead poisoning and its harm is more known today than it was, and individuals are more likely to know lead poisoning is a