Monday, April 15, 2013

Environmental Justice and Lead Poisoning in San Diego

Recently, I posted an article from Anne Lowe on the lead poisoning page of this blog. Her research on this issue, and the fact that I live in a house that was built in 1960, inspired me to do a little research on my own to find out what other communities are doing to prevent and remediate lead poisoning.

Lead poisoning is a giant environmental justice issue, largely because it tends to affect children of color more than anyone else. Even in comparable-age homes, it tends to affect african american and hispanic children more broadly. Lead poisoning is associated with lower iq and learning disabilities.

I fully believe that the best way to attack environmental justice issues is through collaboration across different levels of governement. And, so, when I came across this article, http://www.environmentalhealth.org/index.php/en/media-center/press-releases/178-lead-poisoning-prevention-task-force-to-receive-national-achievement-in-environmental-justice-award, regarding an organization in San Diego receiving an achievment award in environmental justice from the EPA, I thought it deserved more attention.

The award was presented to San Diego's Lead Poisoning Prevention Citizen's Advisory Task Force honoring their achievements in lead poisoning education and prevention. The task force, made up of local and city organizations, serves to empower residents and businesses in the active clean-up and testing for lead in the community and its members. This is a prime example of procedural justice at its best; the coming together of leaders, organizers, and community members to make a difference and take action to improve the lives of those affected by environmental injustices.

At the beginning of 2012, the task force had attracted more than $18 million, tested hundreds of children for lead poisoning, and remediated 1000 homes of lead contamination.

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