Written by: Carrie Meyer
The National Library of Medicine produced This Lead Is Killing Us: A History of Citizens Fighting Lead Poisoning in Their Communities, guest curated by historian and educator Richard M. Mizelle, Jr, PhD (University of Houston).
For over a century, citizens have confronted lead industries, housing authorities, and elected officials to protect their health against the dangers of lead poisoning. When people ingest lead—by breathing contaminated air, drinking contaminated water, or accidentally eating leaded paint chips—they can become very sick. Lead poisoning causes neurological problems and sometimes even death. Today, researchers believe that no amount of exposure to lead is safe for children.
The traveling banner exhibition located on Level 6, McGoogan Library, Wittson Hall and companion website explore the story of citizen action taken against an environmental danger. Lead exposure can cause neurological problems and sometimes even death; yet this metal has been pervasive in many aspects of American life for over a century.
Historically, mining, battery manufacturing, smelting, and enameling industries included lead in their production processes, impacting factory workers and consumers. Manufacturers added lead to household paints and gasoline, endangering the health of families and polluting the air through exhaust fumes. To protect themselves against the dangers of lead poisoning, scientists, families, and individuals opposed industries, housing authorities, and elected officials.
This Lead Is Killing Us: A History of Citizens Fighting Lead Poisoning in Their Communities is on display now through March 21st on Level 6, McGoogan Library, Wittson Hall.