Lead contamination of soil in a low-income mobile home park adjacent to a former battery plant presented unique challenges. Since an earlier soil clean-up and monitoring of lead levels in the environment and in residents, the population of the community had changed from predominantly African-American to largely Hispanic, non-English speaking families who held a deep distrust of any official entity. The combined effort of the state health and environment agency, local government, voluntary organizations, faith communities, and the focus community itself achieved: -Removal of the risk of lead poisoning from contaminated soil. -Safety of residents during the clean-up operations. -No significant problem in blood lead levels of residents. -Education on risks of and protections against lead poisoning. -A beginning level of trust. -Lessons on collaboration. The project became an example of caring and trust-building collaboration across boundaries and resulted in what one voluntary organization leader called a community-changing experience.
Learning Objectives: 1. Gain insight into the value of community involvement in environmental issues. 2. Learn strategies for working across cultural, language, racila, and organizational boundaries. 3. Understand linkages between environment and health
Keywords: Lead, Advocacy
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.