Boston Public Health Commission’s Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program obtained funding from the National Association of City and County Health Officials (NACCHO) to identify ways to better address lead poisoning in Boston, and is conducting public conversations with the help of the creator of this website. Here are notes from the planning meeting and first stakeholder meeting, which both involved many with extensive expertise and experience working on the problem. Because of the coronavirus, meetings were put on hold for a while, but will resume in virtual form this Fall. For more information on our virtual second and third meetings, coming up on October 8 and November 5, please email [email protected]. Major points thus far:
- Current law permits too many opportunities to delay action.
- Lead safety should be a requirement in rentals.
- Funding for lead poisoning prevention should be increased, and the economic benefits of preventing lead poisoning far outweigh the
costs of taking action. - Those who put lead in products without precautions should be held responsible.
- Testing and deleading efforts should be increased.
- The unintended effects of discrimination against children should be addressed.
- Outreach, education, assistance, and enforcement should be stepped up.
- Adult lead poisoning prevention should be addressed.