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Re: 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 to Dave Zaber and Conan Smith for addressing my (very honest) question.  I did not understand that public health issues are closely related to environmental issues. I thought Charles Simmons was saying that lead paint was somehow ruining the soil or something, and I was just too dumb to make the connection, so I asked.

Frankly I still think humans killing our earth and humans killing ourselves are two very different topics,  but now I'm interested enough to actually read these emails without deleting them.

Chris "Greenbean" Greene

>>> "David Zaber" <dzaber@chorus.net> 07/11/01 11:33PM >>>
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 ----- 
  From: Chris Greene 
  To: enviro-mich@great-lakes.net 
  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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