Environmental Services Program

Lead

What is Lead?

Lead is a heavy metal that can exist as a solid or in the form of lead compounds in the air, water, and soil. It is a persistent environmental pollutant that can accumulate in living organisms over time. Lead is not naturally present in significant concentrations in the air but is primarily released through human activities.

How is Lead Formed or Where is it Found?

Lead is primarily found in the environment due to human activities, particularly from industries such as lead smelting, battery manufacturing, and fossil fuel combustion. In the past, lead was commonly used in gasoline, paint, and plumbing, but many of these sources have been reduced or eliminated. However, lead continues to be emitted through activities like construction, mining, and waste incineration. For some communities, lead pollution can also come from legacy contamination in older buildings, water pipes, and soil, especially in areas with historical use of lead-based products.

Health Effects of Lead

Lead exposure is harmful to nearly every organ and system in the body, particularly affecting the nervous system. It can cause cognitive impairments, developmental delays in children, and hypertension in adults. Chronic exposure can lead to kidney damage, anemia, and reproductive issues. For LTBB community members, lead exposure is particularly concerning for children, the elderly, and pregnant women. It can exacerbate health disparities in the community, impacting not only individual health but also the ability to engage in cultural practices that depend on a healthy environment.

Environmental Effects of Lead on LTBB Lands

Lead contamination can harm the environment by polluting water, soil, and air. Lead in soil can affect plants and animals, disrupting ecosystems and reducing biodiversity. Aquatic species are particularly vulnerable, as lead can accumulate in sediments, affecting the health of fish and other aquatic organisms that are vital to traditional fishing practices in the LTBB community. In addition, lead contamination can affect the ability of community members to engage in traditional land-based activities, such as harvesting plants and hunting, potentially contaminating food sources and impairing cultural practices.

What Can Be Done to Reduce Lead Pollution?

Both individuals and governments play a role in reducing lead exposure. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets regulations to limit lead emissions and reduce its presence in air, water, and soil. Tribal governments, like LTBB, can help by enforcing policies and promoting education to reduce lead exposure in the community.

To reduce exposure to lead, LTBB community members can:

• Avoid activities in areas with high levels of lead contamination, such as old buildings or contaminated soil.
• Use water filters certified to remove lead if there is concern about drinking water.
• Support efforts to reduce industrial lead emissions and advocate for the clean-up of contaminated sites.
• Educate children and families about the dangers of lead poisoning and ways to minimize exposure, such as avoiding old painted surfaces in homes or public spaces.

Checking local air quality reports and water safety data is crucial for taking protective actions, particularly in communities that may still be dealing with legacy contamination.

APA Reference List

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (2021). Lead in air. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. https://www.epa.gov/air-quality-management-process/lead-air-quality

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (2022). Ground-level ozone pollution. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. https://www.epa.gov/ground-level-ozone-pollution

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2021). Lead poisoning prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/prevention.htm

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (2020). The benefits of reducing lead emissions. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. https://www.epa.gov/air-quality-management-process/benefits-reducing-lead-emissions

World Health Organization (WHO). (2018). Lead exposure and health. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/lead-exposure-and-health