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Re: E-M:/ Re: Is lead paint an environmental issue?
On the matter of lead paint and environmental
issues:
In addition to the totally legitimate consideration of indoor
pollution as a topic for this list, we should also remember that the mining,
processing and use of lead based materials has caused numerous pollution
problems. A short trip to the Mark Twain National Forest in Missouri would
help one to understand the environmental stakes associated with mining lead in
that area. However, on the way back to Michigan, one could stop in at some
of the toxic waste sites in the E. St. Louis area, including some that are
considered very dangerous because of the lead contamination at those sites
(there are lead smelters in the area that have contaminated the towns they are
in).
However, much more importantly, the idea that we can somehow
parse exposures to toxic chemicals inside the house from those that occur
outside of the house is really only splitting hairs. Total exposure to
toxins matters. And with lead, exposures in the home are high can be high
for children and must be reduced. Eliminating children's exposure to lead,
particularly in the inner cities, would be a major step towards improving the
environment for all people, regardless of where they live.
Regards,
Dave Zaber
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Wednesday, July 11, 2001 12:51
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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