(As lead paints chip away, the chance for residential lead exposure increases. Photo PxFuel)
Lead across the US
Lead contamination is one of the most pressing public health issues facing the US population today. Much of the incidents of lead exposure originate from historical manufacturing and construction. Prior to regulations in the 1970’s, homes were constructed using lead-based paints. As paint begins to chip, it creates pathways for exposure through air (dust) and settles in the surrounding soils. Most importantly, from Oakland to Philadelphia, lead disproportionately affects low-income communities, occupying older homes. Without testing or funding to address these systemic issues, community members are left to occupy homes under hazardous conditions. To address these inequalities, community led organizations have been instrumental in catalyzing policy changes. Since 1986, the Green and Healthy Homes Initiative (GHHI) have been mobilizing communities to advocate for more testing, remediation, and policy changes. While GHHI began in Baltimore, the group supports local chapters across the US. Their organizing model is centered around connecting groups with funding sources.
In Southern California, Orange County Environmental Justice (OCEJ) developed a community science model to address lead contamination in the City of Santa Ana. One distinction between the OCEJ and GHHI models is OCEJ is focused on developing new knowledge to influence policy decisions. So far, OCEJ has been successful in sounding the alarm by increasing community testing. In 2021, OCEJ also fought to increase project funding to address lead contamination in the City’s most recent climate Resolution. The Director of GHHI recently praised the Resolution in a recent interview, calling it an important model for other communities to address lead contamination. What is a community science model? How does it help to catalyze civic action?
Community Science Organizing
Community science involves the mobilization of individuals to create research that is driven and controlled by the community. Therefore, the first step in the OCEJ organizing model is to (1) establish relationships with local communities. Secondly, identify (2) issues related to environmental justice (EJ) in the local community. Initially, an investigative report revealed soils in the City of Santa Ana exceeded save levels set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This action served as a catalyst, informing residents about the dangers of lead in their local community. Through a series of focus groups, residents began to demand more action from city officials, thus completing the 2nd step of the organizing model. Residents began attending City Council meetings to vocalize their grievances. However, more rigorous studies were needed to fully mobilize government officials.
To increase the validity of lead testing results from the first study, OCEJ began (3) to investigate issues with academic partners. OCEJ collaborated with the University of California, Irvine (UCI) to conduct soil lead testing using the most advanced methods. In 2020, the Journal of the Total Environment published the research findings, showing that lead did exceed EPA standards and was concentrated in low-income areas. From focus groups with residents in the first lead study, to the second study conducted with UCI, community involvement was critical. Without focus groups to inform residents, the collective movement to push for more rigorous studies would not have occurred.
Community Involvement
With increased knowledge of lead issues in Santa Ana, the next step was to influence policy decisions. One of the ways OCEJ, facilitated community involvement was by hosting monthly subcommittee meetings focused on lead advocacy. This gave community members an opportunity to (4) develop an action plan. Information was relayed on from OCEJ staff to subcommittee members, allowing them to develop solutions as a group. Members were also encouraged to attend City Council meetings that were discussing the City’s Climate Action Plan. Initially, funding to address lead contamination was missing from the plan, however, community activism propelled the adoption of a Resolution that included funding for lead remediation. With the recognition of lead in the Climate Action Plan, OCEJ helped to (5) mobilize the community and change policy. One of the overarching goals of OCEJ is to help other communities with EJ issues. By developing a community science model, it provides a roadmap for other organizations to influence policy decisions. While the model may not happen lineary, each step provides an important tool to help mobilize the community.
David Bañuelas is a PhD student in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at UC Irvine. He was a 2020-2021 Newkirk Fellow with the Research Justice Shop, working with OCEJ. You can reach out to David on Twitter @DavidBanuelas. For more information regarding the Research Justice Shop please visit the website or contact researchjustice@uci.edu or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
Follow us