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Group Examines Durham County Lead Poisoning Hazards

Group members have begun drafting an action plan that will be discussed at a communitywide "Lead Summit" in late March

Recent water samples with high lead levels from a number of Durham residences have raised public concern about the safety of the county's drinking water. To address these concerns, members of Duke University's Children's Environmental Health Initiative, community advocates, city officials and county public health officials have formed the Durham Environmental Lead Collaborative (DELC).

 

 "DELC's mission is to protect Durham County residents from lead poisoning hazards from all sources," said Marie Lynn Miranda, director of the Children's Environmental Health Initiative and associate research professor at Duke's Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences.

 

 DELC members met for the first time on February 14 and have begun to draft an action plan that will form the basis for a communitywide "Lead Summit" to be held in late March, said Miranda, who serves as facilitator for the group.

 

 In addition to water, other potential sources of lead exposure include deteriorating lead-based paint in dust and soil; lead-containing vinyl miniblinds; traditional medicines or cosmetics; imported food; batteries and hobby materials; and some ceramics and pottery.

 

 The new group will focus its efforts on especially vulnerable populations such as pregnant women and children, she said. It also will place a priority on identifying and testing houses that are considered at risk of exposure from household plumbing and lead paint.

DELC members identified four areas critical to protecting public health: water testing; public education; coordination of blood lead testing; and coordination of testing for lead paint, dust and soil. The group will seek community input on its action plans in each of these areas through a variety of venues, including the March summit.

Miranda believes DELC will serve as a model for other communities who wish to bring together diverse stakeholders and establish a common mission and meaningful action plan. "I was very impressed with the many talented and capable people from our community who participated in the meeting today. The commitment to working collaboratively toward a common mission is absolutely critical to protecting public health," she said.

Participating DELC members include the Durham City Manager's Office; Durham Water Management; the Durham County Health Department; the Partnership Effort for the Advancement of Children's Health; Community Partners Against Lead; the Durham Affordable Housing Coalition; the Durham People's Alliance; the Durham Department of Community Development; the Durham Department of Neighborhood Improvement Services; the North Carolina Children's Environmental Health Branch; and the Children's Environmental Health Initiative.