International Expert Warns ‘There Is No Safe Level Of Lead Exposure’
by Julie Hayden
The Hancock Administration’s aggressive development projects don’t just endanger the City’s parks, open spaces and quality of life in its neighborhoods. Some worry they also put the health of the City’s most vulnerable residents — children and the elderly — at risk.
“Denver has a lead problem,” says community activist Bridget Walsh. “Just like in other cities like Flint, Michigan, the lead in Denver’s water in homes and schools, in our air and soil, has been quietly poisoning our children and us for decades.” Walsh is co-founder of CATE — Colorado Advocates for Toxin Education, a not-for-profit group of concerned citizens focusing on promoting education about toxins in our air, water and environment, and engaging in collaborative efforts to reduce the impact of toxins on Colorado residents.
To help get the word out and educate the community, CATE partnered with the Vasquez/I-70 Superfund Site Community Advisory Group (CAG) and sponsored a series of events featuring Dr. Bruce Lanphear. He is an internationally recognized expert on the destructive , cumulative impacts of even low levels of environmental contaminants and pollutants on all of us.
Forget everything you thought you knew about lead exposure and poisoning. Dr. Lanphear emphasizes, “There is no safe level of lead exposure.” He says 20 years ago, doctors mistakenly believed that low levels of toxins found in the blood were safe. But he says all of the current research makes it clear that “low levels of toxins cause irreparable harm and long-term effects.” He notes even the CDC, Centers for Disease Control, now states there is no safe level of lead in children’s blood.
Lanphear explains lead has been linked to physical and cognitive problems in children and impacts IQ. Lanphear cites studies that show even tiny doses of toxins like lead cause irreversible damage to children’s brains and bodies. It’s not just children who are harmed. Lead exposure is also linked to heart disease. Lanphear points out the common mythology is to blame everything on the individual and focus on lifestyle choices like smoking, obesity and exercise. But the truth is, Lanphear says science shows there is an undeniable connection between low level lead exposure and premature death from cardiovascular disease. Yet, he says, we aren’t doing enough to hold our institutions accountable for cleaning up lead and other toxic pollutants.
Walsh points to a study released in 2018 that revealed almost all Denver Public Schools tested positive for lead in the water. The District addressed the issue when the levels hit a high or “actionable” level but Lanphear notes again, “No level of lead exposure can be considered ‘safe.’”
CATE members additionally worry about lead impacting tens of thousands of Denver residents whose homes still have old lead water pipes.
The I-70 expansion is also stirring up the lead issue. Lanphear addressed the Globeville community about that. The I-70 expansion includes a drainage project involving the I-70/Vasquez Superfund site. Lead and other toxins have been found in the soil there. Neighbors and others like Walsh fear the development will stir up lead, metals and other contaminants. “Lead and other toxins like air pollution impact all of us,” Walsh says, “especially residents who live in heavily industrialized sections of Denver, close to highways and around big construction projects.”
CATE and CAG members hope Dr. Lanphear’s message about the cumulative impacts of toxins on our children will encourage policy makers to adopt what Lanphear calls population strategies that target lead and other pollutants. “We and our children are being exposed to unhealthy levels of lead and other toxins in our environment,” Walsh asserts. “It’s time for Denver residents to arm themselves with the latest scientific facts and demand that Mayor Michael Hancock and Governor Jared Polis not only recognize this public health emergency but immediately allocate sufficient funds to define the extent of the problems and clean it up.
No Safe Level Of Lead In A Child’s Body: International expert Dr. Bruce Lanphear addresses Globeville residents about the dangers of even low levels of lead exposure to children and others in the community.