A healthy environment is a crucial component for ensuring healthy people and communities. Every day, the air we breathe, water and food we consume, and the indoor and outdoor spaces we inhabit have the potential to promote or threaten human health. Many Tribal communities are taking action to improve environmental health. The Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians recently participated in an education and environmental testing program to address lead contamination in their community.
Lead is one example of an environmental exposure that has the potential to harm human health. Lead is a naturally occurring element found in the earth’s crust – where it is not harmful. However, due to human activity, lead contamination in the environment is widespread. Air, water, soil, and even the dust particles inside our homes can contain lead and threaten human health. While lead can cause harm to almost every organ or system in the body, it is well-documented to cause adverse health effects on the brain and nervous system. Adverse health outcomes include slowed growth and development, learning and behavior problems, and hearing and speech problems (CDC). Therefore, it is essential to understand what lead is, where it can be found, and how to prevent lead exposure to keep us and our families healthy.
Common sources of lead exposure include homes built before 1978 when lead-based paint was used, drinking water that passes through lead pipes, cosmetic and other consumer products that contain lead, and living near airports due to leaded gasoline use (CDC). Although some uses of lead have been banned, past and current uses of lead still pose a threat to human health.
Lead is particularly dangerous for children, especially children under the age of 6. Children’s smaller bodies absorb more lead than adults. Additionally, their brains and nervous systems are still developing, so they are more sensitive to lead’s damaging effects. Younger children also tend to put their hands in their mouths, increasing the amount of lead exposure. Specific adverse health outcomes in children include lower IQ and decreased ability to pay attention (CDC).
Lead poisoning is often difficult to see. If you are concerned that you or your child has been exposed to lead, speak to a healthcare provider about getting a blood lead test and ask your Tribe about lead abatement programs.
Thankfully, there are actions we can take to minimize our contact with lead. Education is the first step to fully understanding how a community is affected and to come up with solutions that will be successful. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) created a curriculum providing resources and tools to prevent lead exposure. The Lead Awareness in Indian Country: Keeping our Children Healthy curriculum is a great way to start having conversations about lead in your community and learn how to reduce potential lead exposure through home and personal hygiene, nutrition, or getting in contact with lead mitigation professionals. For additional information, check out CDC’s Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program.
Lead testing is another crucial action item to better understand the level of risk for lead exposure. It is also an excellent opportunity to build partnerships with other environmental groups. Turtle Mountain partnered with the National Indian Health Board, Badlands, Inc., Minnesota Valley Testing Laboratories, Inc., and the state of North Dakota to perform multiple lead tests in water, soil, and wall paint in priority locations around the community to keep children and elders safe.
If you want to learn more about Lead Awareness in Indian Country: Keeping Our Children Healthy or get lead testing done in your community, contact NIHB’s environmental health team at [email protected].
References:
“Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 9 Jan. 2024, www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/default.htm.
“Tribal Lead Curriculum.” United States Environmental Protection Agency, 1 Mar. 2024, https://www.epa.gov/lead/tribal-lead-curriculum#:~:text=The%20Curriculum%20was%20designed%20with,health%20 and%20cultural%20practices%3B%20and.