A test of 500 children in the Fruitvale neighborhood of Oakland has revealed dangerously high levels of lead that rival even that of Flint, Michigan’s at the apex of its water crisis. Examinations of the children’s blood put the levels at 7.57 percent. By comparison, the nationwide average is just 2.5 percent and Flint had a high of 5 percent.
Unlike Flint, contaminated water isn’t the issue in Oakland. The city’s lead problem lies in paint from aging buildings that winds up in the atmosphere. That’s a major problem because even small amounts can have resounding effects on a community, ranging from learning problems to behavioral difficulties.
Federal law requires homeowners of properties built before 1978 to disclose lead to tenants. But in a city where affordable housing is so scarce, that may not do much good. Landlords get little help with remediation efforts and tenants are desperate for space, so they’re less likely to complain. Add to that the greater number of people cramped in small, older housing and it’s a recipe for disaster.
The San Francisco Chronicle has more on this disturbing development.