Health

Advocates Intensify Focus on Eliminating Childhood Lead Exposure

Sam P.K. Collins WI Staff Writer

Earlier this year, the District branch of the NAACP launched a campaign urging D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) and the D.C. Council to reduce children’s exposure to lead, whether they’re at home or in school.

Since the turn of the century, based upon the D.C. Water and Sewer Authority’s initial efforts to replace lead pipes in the District, lead exposure has been a hot-button issue – especially in connection with school-aged children and expectant mothers. Both populations, when exposed to lead, remain at a high risk of developing health problems.

In an appeal to District leaders, NAACP Washington, D.C. Branch President Akosua Ali, along with nearly two dozen advocates, cited DC Water’s capital improvement plan that left 80% of lead replacement efforts in the hands of District residents who would be required to enroll in a government program.

The status quo, Ali said, places the administrative burden on lower-income and less-informed residents.

Ali has since championed legislation introduced by D.C. Councilmember Janeese Lewis George (D- Ward 4) and six of her council colleagues. If passed, the Green New Deal for a Lead-Free DC Amendment Act ramps up the removal of hazardous lead service lines on private and public land while expanding the District’s lead remediation workforce via the D.C. Infrastructure Academy.

In the interim, Ali continues to urge the District government to bring lead removal programs to residents and increase access to water filters.

“It would be a safe analysis to state that [some of the] lead service lines go into our schools,” Ali said. “The government would have to look into clusters, blocks and communities. Infrastructure aside, the government has to bring the programs to the people."

5 Projects initiated by DC Water involve main water replacement, emergency repairs and D.C. Department of Transportation-related projects. In areas without plans for construction, property owners can enter two D.C. Department of Energy and Environment programs to receive lead replacement services at a discount. (Courtesy photo/DC Water)

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LOOKING INTO DISTRICT SCHOOLS AND DAYCARES

Legislation approved by the D.C. Council in 2017 designates 5 parts per billion (ppb) as the threshold for filter replacement and lead remediation in District schools but many advocates cite any kind of lead exposure as dangerous.

Lead exposure can damage a child’s brain and nervous system, which slows growth and development and increases the likelihood of learning and behavior issues. Adults exposed to lead often experience high blood pressure and problems with their brain, kidneys and reproductive organs. In recent years, advocates have deemed partial lead service line replacement projects conducted by DC Water as insufficient in stopping lead exposure.

The District’s estimated to have more than 28,000 lead or galvanized-iron pipes, all of which DC Water intends to replace by 2030.

Projects initiated by DC Water involve main water replacement, emergency repairs and D.C. Department of Transportation-related projects. In areas where DC Water doesn’t plan to do construction, property owners can enter two programs through D.C. Department of Energy and Environment to receive lead replacement services at a discount.

Since the passage of the Childhood Lead Exposure Prevention Amendment Act, some District schools have undergone lead pipe replacement as part of capital improvement plans. A DC Department of General Services (DGS) representative said given the sporadic nature of high lead readings, the D.C. government has opted to collectively perform remediation across all District public school facilities.

Over the last five years, DGS has recorded 65 instances when drinking water in District schools had lead readings of more than 5 ppb. During the 2021-2022 academic year, only 10 devices in

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COVID-19 Vaccine Preparation Underway for Infants and Toddlers

Maryland Governor Hogan Announces Long-Term Plan to Battle Coronavirus

William J. Ford WI Staff Writer

The Biden Administration continues to prepare and begin distributing more than 10 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine nationwide for children ages 5 and younger at local hospitals, clinics, health departments, pharmacies and other locations.

An advisory committee with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will meet Saturday, June 18. If the committee grants a favorable recommendation that’s approved by the CDC and Food and Drug Administration, vaccines could be available as soon the week of June 20.

Danielle Anthony of Upper Marlboro said she won’t decide on whether to allow her 18-month-old son to become vaccinated until after she consults with his pediatrician.

Anthony, who mentors upand-coming teachers in the Prince George’s County public schools, received the vaccine while being pregnant. She received the vaccine booster after the birth of her son.

“When you get the flu shot, that carries over to your child. I’m curious to find out if the [COVID-19] vaccine does the same thing,” said Anthony, who has two older children, ages 8 and 15, both of whom are fully vaccinated.

“We didn’t do it right away with them,” he said. “I’m not a medical expert. I try to trust the science but I have my skepticisms as well.”

To alleviate doubts while educating the public, government and health officials continue to partner with community organizations including the NAACP as respected voices to inform residents why the vaccine remains the best tool against COVID-19.

Maryland health officials said the state remains one of the highest in the nation in terms of vaccinations which includes children ages 5 to 11 who’ve received at least one dose of the Pfizer vaccine. About 43% received two doses.

In the past two weeks, about 10% of the children in that age group had already received a COVID-19 booster shot, said Dr. Jinlene Chan, the state’s deputy health secretary for public health services, during a press briefing on June 9 in Annapolis.

About 358,000 children age 5 and younger live in Maryland and could receive the vaccine.

She said she’s spoken to some parents who question the need for children to be vaccinated because COVID-19 has had far fewer impacts on children compared to adults 65 and older.

“That’s true but this year alone we’ve had over 300 kids under 5 who have been hospitalized. That’s not a small thing,” she said. “Hospitalizations are something we want to prevent. Vaccines are still our greatest tool in the fight against COVID-19.”

In the meantime, the state released a “COVIDReady Maryland” plan to battle the ongoing coronavirus pandemic as a possible surge could affect the state when the weather gets cooler in the fall.

The plan encourages Marylanders to get vaccinated and receive a booster shot, additional outreach and public awareness, surge preparedness and increase and maximize use of therapeutics.

The state’s “Test to Treat” program has nearly 90 locations including a site in Baltimore. The locations allow people to get tested and if eligible, receive medications and vaccines during the same visit. Several dozen urgent care and ambulatory care locations offering testing and treatment are scheduled to open later this year.

The main goal: keep people out of the hospital.

“We continue to stand ready to adapt and respond just as we have over these last 2½ years,” Hogan said at the State House in Annapolis. “As the number of cases go up and down, is best to continue to be smart and to exercise personal responsibility so that together we will continue to be COVID ready and Maryland strong.”

For more information and to find a testing site, residents can still call 1-855-GO-MDVAX (855-6346829). WI @WJFjabariwill

BREAKFAST from Page 16

a second location of HalfSmoke at Montgomery Mall in the next few weeks. McCain has benefited from moving into spaces previously occupied by restaurants that shut down during the pandemic. That's a financial saving on start-up expenses. His business vision comes from understanding basic traditional survival instincts throughout history.

"African Americans have always been resilient and have overcome challenges," McCain said about the growth of Black-owned businesses. "I think we've seen more of that over the past few years." "Butter Me Up" at Montgomery Mall is open for in-house dining, carryout, and delivery Monday through Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information, visit the restaurant's website at https://buttermeupdc.com Instagram/Twitter: @bcscomm WI

5 Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (left) holds a press briefing June 9 to announce the state’s long-term plan to battle COVID-19. Joining Hogan (L-R) are Dennis Schrader, secretary for the state’s Health Department; Dr. Jinlene Chan, the state’s deputy health secretary for public health services; and Dr. Howard Haft, executive director of the Maryland Primary Care Program. (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)

PRENATAL LEAVE IS HERE!

If you work in DC and are pregnant, you may be eligible for up to two weeks of paid leave to receive medical care related to your pregnancy.