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Re: E-M:/ Re: Is lead paint an environmental issue?
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Enviro-Mich message from "Pam Ortner" <ortpam@mediaone.net>
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Traditionally, the environmental movement has been about the protection of
the natural resources and habitat. Conservation issues have traditionally
been championed by those concerned with those protections. Public health
and social justice advocates have worked to ensure the protection of
vulnerable populations. Union activists have worked on issues to protect
worker health and safety. Air pollution affects all of the above. Perhaps
the most impacted are those who work in polluting facilities and communities
that live near the area. We all (communities, workers, plants and animals)
need the same basic things, clean air, clean water, uncontaminated soil,
uncontaminated food. We can focus on our commonalities, while working on
the issues dear to us.
There is strength in numbers.
Chris, people are part of the environment as well.
Pamela Ortner, R.N.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Chris Greene" <crgreene@med.umich.edu>
To: <enviro-mich@great-lakes.net>
Sent: Wednesday, July 11, 2001 1:51 PM
Subject: E-M:/ Re: Is lead paint an environmental issue?
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Enviro-Mich message from "Chris Greene" <crgreene@med.umich.edu>
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Thank you for elaborating. I still do not understand:
when I talk about "environmental issues," I am speaking of the air
(outdoors), the water (outdoors) the plants and animals (outdoors). I agree
that lead paint, closed air systems, old water pipes and domestic animal
abuse are very real problems and should be addressed. But to my
understanding, that is not the purpose of this list.
If somehow you feel that lead paint (or the NAACP) are affecting the
(outdoor) environment of Michigan, please elaborate. I do not see the
direct connection.
Chris "Greenbean" Greene
>>> <CSim592951@aol.com> 07/11/01 01:39PM >>>
Dear friend,
Your question about the relationship between lead paint and the environment
is an important one and may demonstrate the relationship the crucial
connection between urban and rural community environmental issues as well.
I
am not an expert on this issue so I hope others will join in the discussion.
Until about 20 years ago, --experts please correct me--most of the houses
built in this area--Detroit--were subjected to paint which had a lead base.
Most of our housing stock is much older than 20years or the specific cut off
time. The lead paint and the dust from the paint are often inhaled, picked
up
in paint chips, or otherwise ingested when children play in the area or
crawl
around on the floor in these houses, schools and other buildings.
The lead base has terrible effects on children including brain damage
depending upon the child's age and stage of development. Studies show that
the lead also contributes to the child's agressive behavior. There are
other
important burdens on the impacted population by lead poisoning.
Since the danger is now widely recognized by the scientific and medical
community, some communities have initiated lawsuits against the lead paint
industry with arguments very similar to that of the people who sued the
tobacco industry and now the gun industry. Simply stated, If you
manufacture,sell or distribute a hazardous substance, then you bear some of
the responsibility for the harm that is caused.
Thanks for asking. I will try to locate more information for you.
Charles Simmons
Detroit
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ENVIRO-MICH: Internet List and Forum for Michigan Environmental
and Conservation Issues and Michigan-based Citizen Action. Archives at
http://www.great-lakes.net/lists/enviro-mich/
Postings to: enviro-mich@great-lakes.net For info, send email to
majordomo@great-lakes.net with a one-line message body of "info enviro-mich"
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