brie zeltner: "beyond flint: tracking lead’s toxic threat" 4.19.16

TOXIC NEGLECTCovering lead poisoning in Cleveland

The Plain Dealer

Why tackle lead poisoning? • Is it an issue where you are

reporting? • In most major cities, soil and

deteriorating paint are the primary sources of poisoning

Obstacles to reporting on lead poisoning

• Apathy, misinformation and myths• Procuring and understanding data• Public records requests • A litany of excuses/need to find

solutions

Apathy, misinformation and myths• No longer an issue• Bad parents• Only poor kids affected• Only high levels are

dangerous, etc.

Getting, and understanding, data• City, county and national data

are available on lead poisoning rates

• Local sources– universities, school districts, non-profits

• The problem of screening and underestimates of scope

• Data collection isn’t uniform– CDC doesn’t give out national data for analysis

CDC Ohio Lead Poisoning data, 1997-2014

Public records requests• Know what to ask for, and know

FOIA• Expect delays– we still have about

a dozen outstanding requests, some of them dating to July/August of 2015• HIPAA as an excuse for

delay/refusal• HUD’s records

Finding Solutions/Removing

Excuses• Litany of excuses from

public officials: not enough money, enough staff, problem not unique to our city, “legacy issue” that we didn’t cause, we’ve made progress, etc.

• Providing examples of other places doing it right removes the excuses

• Even partial solutions are helpful

What’s next?

… Stories still to tell

• Nothing changes long term without consistent attention/pressure

• Follow up-- ask questions, hold public officials, funders, landlords and contractors accountable for their role in prevention and clean up

• In Ohio, paint manufacturers have largely gotten a pass, but it’s not the case in other states. Find out.

• Lead paint isn’t banned from production, just not used here. Where is it still harming children, workers?

• SOLUTIONS– remove the excuses.

Questions? Brie ZeltnerBzeltner@plaind.com@BrieZeltner

Rachel DissellRdissell@plaind.com@RachelDissell