Alameda County Healthy Homes Department Lead Poisoning Prevention Program

03/21/2020

Alameda County Public Health has prepared this flyer with information on COVID 19 for Older Adults.

03/17/2020

Early results from 174 Flint children exposed to lead during water crisis shows 80% of them will require special education services

‪Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha is our hero Her superpower is identifying and treating lead poisoning! https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/flint-water-crisis-effect-on-children-60-minutes-2020-03-15/‬

Five years ago, lead seeped into the tap water in Flint, Michigan, while state and local officials said everything was fine. Now, the same doctor who proved something was wrong is taking the first comprehensive look at the thousands of kids exposed to lead in Flint.

03/12/2020

California Department of Public Health

https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Immunization/ncov2019.aspx

California is responding to the spread of a respiratory illness caused by a novel coronavirus (COVID-19) first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. Cases of COVID-19 are also being reported internationally and in the United States. California is actively working with the White House, Centers....

02/29/2020

EPA doubles Atlanta area being investigated for lead poisoning

https://www.albanyherald.com/news/epa-doubles-atlanta-area-being-investigated-for-lead-poisoning/article_57887654-57d0-11ea-8cab-fbcae3316f74.html

ATLANTA -- The federal Environmental Protection Agency is doubling the area it’s probing for lead contamination west of downtown Atlanta, and residents and volunteer researchers say they want more help

02/29/2020

Make Lead Poisoning Testing Mandatory For Hawaii's Kids

https://www.civilbeat.org/2020/02/make-lead-poisoning-testing-mandatory-for-kids/

Lawmakers need to find the money to continue paying for the state's prevention program, too.

02/29/2020

AG Letitia James Sues Chestnut Holdings for Lead Poisoning - The Real Deal

According to a complaint her office filed today, Chestnut Holdings repeatedly exposed children to lead paint and fraudulently certified that it had complied with the law passed to prevent that.
Bronx-based Chestnut, which has more than 6,000 units across 134 buildings, mostly in the Bronx, repeatedly failed to conduct annual inspections or remediate apartments where young children lived, even when it was asked to do so, according to court papers. The investigation was initiated in 2017, according to a source familiar with the matter.

https://therealdeal.com/2020/02/27/attorney-general-sues-chestnut-holdings-for-lead-paint/

New York Attorney General Letitia James sued Chestnut Holdings for lead poisoning in its 6,000-unit portfolio.

02/29/2020

'It was everywhere': how lead is poisoning America's poorest children

'It was everywhere': how lead is poisoning America's poorest children

The toxin has endangered hundreds of thousands of kids. But parents in the hardest-hit neighborhoods may never be warned of the threat

02/25/2020

Today attending day one of @Cahealthyhousing Annual Meeting. Lots of insightful presentations on Lead, Housing Crisis, Air Quality as well as State legislation related to healthy housing!

02/22/2020

Concern Mounts For West Oakland Residents Following Discovery Of Chemical At McClymonds High School

https://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2020/02/21/west-oakland-residents-toxic-chemical-mcclymonds-high-school/

The discovery of a cancer-causing chemical at Oakland's McClymonds High School is causing additional concern for people living and working in the area around the school.

02/22/2020

Why So Few Kids In Hawaii Get Tested For Lead Poisoning

Cases of lead poisoning can go undetected for years until its effects on mental and physical development surface. Lead poisoning at any level is considered to be harmful because of the permanent damage it can inflict to the brain, nervous system, kidneys, and red blood cells. It can also lead to intellectual disabilities.
https://www.civilbeat.org/2020/02/why-so-few-kids-in-hawaii-get-tested-for-lead-poisoning/

Only 25% of kids between 1 and 2 years old get tested, in part because it's not required. A bill in the Legislature would require mandatory testing for the first time.

02/21/2020

New Legislation Protects Children from Lead Poisoning

This issue has plagued underserved communities, with some areas in the Central Valley experiencing lead rates double than those found in Flint, Michigan,” said Assemblymember Salas. “Today’s bill package will improve health conditions for our children by ensuring that everyone is tested and exposure to lead is eliminated.”
When the State Auditor's Office reviewed data maintained by the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), they found that the rate of eligible children receiving the proper lead tests was less than 27 percent. Without these tests, health care providers do not know whether these children are suffering from elevated lead levels and need treatment. Lead exposure and lead poisoning are associated with serious health impacts, especially to children.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/hanfordsentinel.com/new-legislation-protects-children-from-lead-poisoning/article_cc45028d-087e-51ab-8f81-078f2b0f27a6.amp.html

Sacramento – Assemblymembers Rudy Salas (D-Bakersfield), Bill Quirk (D-Hayward), Cristina Garcia (D-Bell Gardens), Eloise Gómez Reyes (D-Grand Terrace) and Senator Connie Leyva unveiled a package of bills to protect the

02/21/2020

Oakland high school shut due to cancer-causing chemical found in groundwater

Once air tests are completed, district officials said they would determine the next course of action. Typically, the goal is to purify the air with filters, fans or other efforts while the source is cleaned up. If the levels are very high, buildings are locked down until the air is safe, officials said.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/amp/Oakland-high-school-shut-due-to-cancer-causing-15071357.php

The existence of trichloroethylene in groundwater under the school raises concerns about the safety of the air and soil in the general neighborhood, which is largely residential. McClymonds High School was also the site of elevated lead levels found in drinking fountains and shower water in 2016.

02/19/2020

Bald eagles across the United States are dying from lead poisoning

https://www.cnn.com/2020/02/16/us/bald-eagles-dying-lead-poisoning-trnd/index.html

Bald eagles across the United States are dying of lead bullets -- but it's not because they're being shot.

02/15/2020

Carl Stokes and the River Fire
The environmental movement of the time stayed focused on air and water pollution. It did not broaden to encompass the other issues of the “urban environment” that Stokes prioritized. He voiced this concern at a press event for the first Earth Day in 1970. He said, “I am fearful that the priorities on air and water pollution may be at the expense of what the priorities of the country ought to be: proper housing, adequate food and clothing.” https://www.nps.gov/articles/carl-stokes-and-the-river-fire.htm

02/14/2020

U.S. National Library of Medicine: In 1959, the Bruco Battery Company illegally dumped 500 used battery casings in an African American neighborhood in Chicago’s West Side. Poor residents in need of fuel for their homes used the discarded battery casings as an alternative to coal and wood. Burning the casings released a smoky cloud of toxic lead sulphate that poisoned unsuspecting families. Local activists criticized the company for using this community as a toxic dumping ground.

For over a century, citizens have confronted lead industries, housing authorities, and elected officials to protect their health against the dangers of lead poisoning.
When people ingest lead—by breathing contaminated air, drinking contaminated water, or accidently eating leaded paint chips—they can become very sick. Lead poisoning causes neurological problems and sometimes even death. Today, researchers believe that no amount of exposure to lead is safe for children.
https://www.nlm.nih.gov/exhi…/thisleadiskillingus/index.html

02/14/2020

This Lead Is Killing Us: A History of Citizens Fighting Lead Poisoning in Their Communities | NLM

For over a century, citizens have confronted lead industries, housing authorities, and elected officials to protect their health against the dangers of lead poisoning.
https://www.nlm.nih.gov/exhibition/thisleadiskillingus/index.html

When people ingest lead—by breathing contaminated air, drinking contaminated water, or accidently eating leaded paint chips—they can become very sick. Lead poisoning causes neurological problems and sometimes even death. Today, researchers believe that no amount of exposure to lead is safe for c...

02/14/2020

Cases of children with lead poisoning drop 17% in CT

The DPH report said that every Connecticut child had at least one lead test before turning 3, but state law requires two tests, one annually. Connecticut has struggled to reach its testing goal, although its numbers inched up to 57.4 percent in 2017.
https://www.ctpost.com/local/article/Cases-of-children-with-lead-poisoning-drop-17-in-15052600.php#item-85307-tbla-5

A new state Department of Public Health report revealed cases of lead poisoning in children under 6 years old had the largest year-over-year drop in 2017 in five years.

02/14/2020

Local experts weigh in on reducing the risk of childhood lead poisoning

Corbett advised tenants in older buildings to keep an eye out for potential sources of lead dust, such as chipped paint on the inside or outside of the home. Keep children away from chipping or peeling paint.
The EPA also suggests regularly cleaning floors, window sills, and other surfaces, as well as children's toys.
https://www.richlandsource.com/thrive/local-experts-weigh-in-on-reducing-the-risk-of-childhood/article_77828a32-49dc-11ea-a32e-cfd458f8df96.html

Childhood lead poisoning can have serious health consequences, but it's also highly preventable.

02/14/2020

Guest opinion: Utahns need to be more proactive against lead poisoning

Blood testing is the only way to know if a child has been exposed. Unlike some states, Utah does not require blood lead testing of all children. While a federal mandate requires all children on Medicaid insurance to be tested at 1 and 2 years of age, Utah is far below the national average for testing children.

https://www.deseret.com/opinion/2020/2/14/21126852/guest-opinion-utahns-need-to-be-more-proactive-against-lead-poisoning

Lead poisoning is often discussed in the wake of an environmental emergency such as the Flint, Michigan, Newark, New Jersey, and the District of Columbia water crises. While these tragedies...

02/13/2020

Q&A: Mayor Lovely Warren on Rochester’s Leadership to Address Healthy Housing and a Call to Action

NLC: What has been your greatest, perhaps unexpected, resource in advancing healthy housing efforts in Rochester?
Mayor Warren: Our greatest resource in this area, by far, is the commitment of the men and women who drive our code-enforcement operation and our renewable certificate of occupancy rental inspection program, along with the collaborative spirit of our many community partners. Further, The New York State Department of Health has provided funding to assist in targeting the homes of our most vulnerable population and our oldest properties.

https://citiesspeak.org/2020/02/10/qa-mayor-lovely-warren-on-rochesters-leadership-to-address-healthy-housing-and-a-call-to-action/

Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren encourages mayors across the country to take the Mayor's Action Challenge on Lead-Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods.

02/12/2020

Brooks Jarosz

UPDATE: The City of Oakland has requested I provide the addresses of properties #2Investigates exposed for deplorable and unsafe conditions last week. They're all owned by a longtime landlord known to the city to be one of the worst -- for more than 20 years! While the city provided a statement and policies on the code enforcement process, no one would sit down and talk to me about specific problems. We found many of the complaints or issues still exist yet they're closed out or considered "abated" by the city. I contacted the mayor's office late last week and was forwarded back to the communications office. I'm told the city is "following up on the addresses" that I sent over. So far, none of the tenants we talked to have seen or heard from the city or the landlord...

ORIGINAL REPORT: https://bit.ly/2SiGnWa

02/06/2020

Oakland landlord rents deplorable properties for decades

“It needs to be investigated,” Larry Brooks, director of Alameda Healthy Homes Department said. “We really need to be more proactive in order to prevent those situations from occurring so that the burden isn’t on the tenants.”

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.ktvu.com/news/oakland-landlord-rents-deplorable-properties-for-decades.amp

In Oakland, a longtime landlord has had a history of dilapidated and dangerous properties and the city has failed to adequately follow-up. As a result, many people and families are living in deplorable conditions including mold, lead, rodents and safety hazards.

02/06/2020

Brooks Jarosz

Brooks Jarosz

DEPLORABLE CONDITIONS: Mold, rats, lead & safety hazards. $2,000/month in East Oakland. Longtime landlord with history of dilapidated and dangerous properties responsible. City has also failed to adequately follow-up. #2Investigates tonight at 10:30PM on KTVU Fox 2. Here's a preview. bit.ly/375ENeH

02/04/2020

Brooks Jarosz

This is not how families -- especially children -- should be living. But it's reality in some parts of Oakland. Renters describe rats running across their feet as they cook. Children are lead-sickened from peeling paint and other hazards. And mold from the floor to the ceiling, covering wall after wall, with kids sleeping just inches from it all. It's unhealthy. It needs to stop. Tomorrow night, #2Investigates is exposing a landlord who owns dozens of homes with these conditions. KTVU Fox 2 also looks at the lack of accountability by the city. Something needs to change. SHARE and spread the word. Everyone, regardless of income, race or economic situation deserves a healthy home.

02/04/2020

Brooks Jarosz

Rental housing must be routinely inspected to reduce health and safety risks. The best practice is for cities to have a proactive rental inspection program that includes inspecting for lead paint hazards.

For more than 20 years, an Oakland landlord has charged thousands of dollars for people to live with rats, mold and major safety hazards! It's all low-income families can afford considering the Bay Area housing crisis. The city has also failed to follow up, hold this landlord accountable and serve those living in our communities. Isn't it a problem when a local government only relies on complaints it receives to know what conditions are like inside rental properties?

01/30/2020

‘Party of Five’ season 1 review – episode 5: ‘Rafa’

The fifth episode of “Party of Five,” titled “Rafa,” revolves around the youngest Acosta, who suffers from lead poisoning in the wake of chewing the paint off an old crib,
https://dailybruin.com/2020/01/29/party-of-five-season-1-review-episode-5-rafa/

Warning: spoilers ahead. Inheriting parenthood overnight finally gets the best of Emilio this week. The fifth episode of

01/30/2020

Study links Detroit tax foreclosures, speculation, demolitions with lead poisoning

https://www.michiganradio.org/post/study-links-detroit-tax-foreclosures-speculation-demolitions-lead-poisoning

Living in homes purchased at the Wayne County tax foreclosure auction, or near demolitions, increases the risk of lead poisoning in Detroit children. Those

01/30/2020

Parents demand legislative action protecting children from lead poisoning

https://www.wishtv.com/news/parents-demand-legislative-action-protecting-children-from-lead-poisoning/

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Parents gathered at a community forum Tuesday night to demand legislative action protecting children from lead poisoning at Marion County schools. Elevated levels of lead were previously detected in drinking water samples from 161 local schools or school facilities that p...

01/28/2020

Removal of unsafe lead begins in contaminated Atlanta neighborhood

And now the EPA says that it’s considering expanding its investigation beyond the 368 properties currently under scrutiny.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.ajc.com/news/local/removal-unsafe-lead-begins-contaminated-atlanta-neighborhood/TOimfpBRinKWcH1KMBP8CI/amp.html

Work teams using heavy equipment began digging up soil contaminated with lead from an empty lot in w...

01/22/2020

Bald eagle treated for lead poisoning, released into wild

There, she was tested and officials found a lethal amount of lead in her system. Lead is extremely poisonous for eagles, and is a big problem around hunting season.
"Get the lead out. Lead is extremely toxic, a piece of lead less than the size of a grain of rice will kill an eagle," says Jerry Maynard, co-founder and president of the Chocolay Raptor Center. "There are good alternatives, and the price is coming down. Copper is the primary one for shots, steel for shotguns."
https://www.uppermichiganssource.com/content/news/Bald-eagle-treated-for-lead-poisoning-released-into-wild--567171661.html

A crowd gathered at the Superior Dome in Marquette to see the 10.7 pound eagle take flight once more.