CHEMICAL OF THE MONTH - Lead
By Caitlion O. Hunter, Esq.
A service program of RISE St. James; Caitlion O. Hunter, Esq.; Tim Schütz, PhD Researcher, Anthropology University of California, Irvine; and The Community Scientist (TCS) Research Team
This series of the next three Chemicals of the Month will focus on heavy metals. Heavy metals are defined as metallic elements with a density at least 5 times that of water. Exposure to heavy metals, especially during childhood, can result in long term or even lifetime health issues. While their individual health effects vary, exposure to heavy metals can cause damage to multiple organs and systems of the body, and several are carcinogenic (cancer-causing). Some heavy metal particles are small enough to also be classified as PM (particulate matter) pollution, and also cause the health effects associated with breathing in PM (for more information on PM, see our previous Chemical of the Month.)
Lead is perhaps best known for its former use as an ingredient in paint and gasoline. Generations of children and adults were exposed to paint dust and car emissions as a part of everyday American life. The EPA mandated a phaseout of leaded gasoline that began in 1973 and resulted in a total ban in 1996, and lead was banned in new residential paint sales in 1976. However, heavy metals like lead linger in the environment without decaying, meaning that old lead paint inside homes and the soil where paint chipped into continue to pose a great danger today. In fact, about 30% of housing in the United States has some level of lead contamination. According to an environmental analysis prepared by Koch Methanol ahead of its proposed expansion, the area within a 3 mile radius around its facility ranks in the 82nd percentile statewide for lead paint presence in homes.
This old paint in homes can become part of dust or dirt that children touch, breathe, or get into their mouths. Children absorb, on average, 50% of the lead contamination that they eat or drink, and up to 100% if the lead is eaten on an empty stomach. Breathing in fine lead particles as PM may have even greater absorption. If the lead is not excreted from the body, it can become part of the bones of the human body or exist deep in soft tissues of the liver, brain, and kidneys. Exposure as a child can become a generational tragedy. If a lead-exposed child becomes pregnant as an adult, even if she is not being currently exposed to lead, lead in her bones can become part of the fetus’s own skeleton and organs as her developing fetus draws calcium from her body. Fetal exposure to lead in this way can cause low birth weight, premature birth, brain damage, lifelong learning disorders, or even miscarriage. Lead stored in the body can also enter into the breastmilk.
Lead exposure can often be asymptomatic, but a simple blood test can note the blood concentration of lead. Blood testing is crucial for small children when lead exposure is suspected. Exposure can happen from living in older housing with lead paint present, living in an area with high industrial lead emissions, or through a contamination issue like the recent discovery of lead being added intentionally to ground cinnamon powder in order to increase profitability for the cinnamon seller.
LDEQ’s ERIC tool, available at https://business.deq.louisiana.gov/Eric/EricReports, allows anyone to search for industry-reported emissions of a certain chemical at the parish level. From 2020 through 2023, industry-reported emissions of lead and lead compounds in St. James Parish averaged 122 pounds per year. In comparison, in 2023, lead emissions in Calcasieu Parish were just over 2000 pounds, were 553 pounds in Rapides Parish, and 537 pounds in East Baton Rouge Parish. Unlike some other chemicals which will decay over time into more harmless compounds, lead stays in the environment nearly permanently.
Lead is also present in pipes for drinking water in many areas of the USA. Despite a scientific consensus by the mid-1800s that lead had harmful human health effects, the lead industry worked throughout the 1930s to put out junk science claiming that lead was safe, get laws passed across the country requiring lead pipes, and convince plumbers that keeping lead pipes in use would be good for business. Now, as many cities struggle to deal with the huge costs of replacing toxic lead pipes that were forced on them by the lead industry years ago, it seems shocking that such a toxic industry was able to exert so much influence. We see much in common with the actions of the fossil fuel industry today. Instead of making the switch to clean, renewable, non-polluting industry and energy, fossil fuel and petrochemical companies are fighting dirty, sowing doubts about fossil fuels’ role in climate change, building new pipelines to transport hazardous chemicals, and spending millions on lobbyists and local elections to stay relevant in a world that is ready to move beyond them.
HOW TO REDUCE YOUR EXPOSURE TO LEAD
If you purchased ground cinnamon in 2023 or 2024, especially from a discount retailer like Dollar Tree or Family Dollar, this cinnamon may be contaminated with lead. For safety’s sake, discard the ground cinnamon if you are unsure. Pre-ground spices are some of the most chemically contaminated foods on the market. Consider purchasing whole spices and grinding them as needed- not only does this taste better, but whole spices are far less likely to have been intentionally contaminated.
If you are pregnant, several studies have shown that taking calcium supplements during pregnancy can help prevent your fetus from being exposed to lead from your bones. Talk to your doctor about a calcium supplement if you know or suspect you had lead exposure as a child.
Wear a safety respirator and eye protection when doing home repairs or other construction in buildings where lead paint was used.
Wash your hands after touching lead paint or contaminated soil, especially before eating.
If you live in older housing, and are unsure whether lead paint was used, an EPA-certified lead detection kit is available for sale at https://dleadpainttestkit.com/. If the test kit shows a positive result, you can find a certified lead abatement specialist. The Louisiana Department of Health runs a lead testing program.
Lead blood tests are available through your doctor or pediatrician. These tests are FREE if you have Louisiana Medicaid, and are usually covered by other insurance. More information is available at https://ldh.la.gov/lead-poisoning-prevention
If you formula feed an infant, be careful about the water you use to make the formula. The Water Collaborative has made a list of some at-home filters that will remove lead, available here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YwBCteZWcbnrA0msWZPWc72vAISi3Zxo/view
Lead that gets into the soil can be taken up by plant roots. Consult this kid-friendly guide to see which foods are lowest in heavy metals to help prevent your child’s exposure through food: https://hbbf.org/sites/default/files/2024-05/The%2040%20Baby%20Foods%20Menu.pdf