9.4 - Heavy Metals

Article # 1 - Lead Poisoning - Herbert Needleman

After the removal of lead from gasoline, the amount of lead in our environment dramatically decreased but the lead issue in paint remains at large as many older buildings are full of lead based paints. Lead’s toxicity can be attributed to distortion of enzymes and structural proteins, and affects neuronal signaling.  Lead affects children a lot more than adults and can have developmental effects.
We need to continue to prevent lead poisoning, and because it is still present in many of our manufactured products, and make-up we gotta take a stand and really be careful with what we are around.

Article #2- An environmental health response to a severe outbreak of childhood lead poisoning in Nigeria - Casey Bartrem

It makes me sad to think that in just 2010, a major incident in Nigeria took place where over 400 children under the age of 5 died from lead poisoning. It breaks my heart to know that in some 3rd world countries, the quality and basic needs of life (food and water) are unavailable. Those children died from their environment. Something has to change. I am curious to know if organizations or mission groups have thought about going around to survey poor areas like Nigeria and make sure lead levels are checked, monitored and recorded. I would hate to hear another story like this with all the technology and resources we have.


Comments

  1. Ayla EvinsOctober 29, 2018 at 1:26 PM

    I agree - it is so shocking that lead poisoning is still an issue today when we know so much. That article was heartbreaking to find out that over 400 children died from lead poisoning. But lead poisoning is still an issue in the US today (Flint, MI) - more needs to be done across the globe to ensure this does not continue to happen

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  2. Terrianne GNovember 5, 2018 at 9:46 PM

    I agree it is unfortunate to watch these (still) developing countries struggle for basic essential needs such as proper water filtration and access systems, and uncontrollable chemical exposure . I'm sure there are a lot of co-ops and organizations that spend time making wells and creating safer access to these developing countries, but the problem still remains the upkeep once the help is gone. I watched a lot of videos on how medicine and health awareness are brought to these villages, but if someone doesn't upkeep the advocation, everything goes back to normal.

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