Let’s build on recent progress to eliminate childhood lead poisoning from food, paint and water

In an op-ed for the Pennsylvania Capital-Star, Ruth Ann Norton and Jill Rosenthal explain why childhood lead poisoning is a modern American crisis we can’t afford ignore.

Strengthening Health, Public Health

Lead is all around us—in our food, our water and even the paint in our homes. It’s also a poison, with lifelong ramifications for children exposed at a young age. Lead and other toxic chemicals pose persistent threats to children’s health, damaging their bodies and brains and robbing them of their futures. In the U.S., one in every 38 children between the ages of one and five has elevated blood lead levels that require action.

The above excerpt was originally published in Pennsylvania Capital-Star. Click here to view the full article.

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Authors

Ruth Ann Norton

Jill Rosenthal

Director, Public Health

Departments

Economic Policy

We work to address the deep inequities in our economy to ensure that all Americans can live secure and stable lives.

Health Policy

The Health Policy department advances health coverage, health care access and affordability, public health and equity, social determinants of health, and quality and efficiency in health care payment and delivery.

Topics

States

Let’s build on recent progress to eliminate childhood lead poisoning from food, paint and water