Jackson Free Press

Since the nation began learning about Freddie Gray and the circumstances that led to his death, stories about his life and upbringing have come into focus. Some have speculated that this 25-year-old black man had somehow set himself up for a tragic life and premature death. This argument has provoked an examination of the home Mr. Gray grew up in, and how his environment may have limited his opportunities in life.

One fact stands out to me: The Baltimore Sun reported that Gray had childhood lead poisoning and related medical and behavioral conditions, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that more than a half million U.S. children have elevated blood-lead levels (greater than 5 micrograms per deciliter), but lead absorption at any rate can cause harm to a child. Lead exposure can affect IQ, focus, memory and academic achievement.

In the Sandtown-Winchester/Harlem Park neighborhood of Baltimore, where Gray lived, the lead-paint violation rate is triple the city average. David Zucchino and James Queally reported in The Los Angeles Times that only 25 percent of adults over 25 in the same area have a high school diploma. Half the neighborhood's high school students were listed as chronically absent in 2012.

Research shows that lead poisoning is linked to aggressive behavior and violence. Mother Jones released an extensive report in 2013 that showed a correlation between childhood blood-lead levels and adult rates of violent crime, as well as a relationship between lead poisoning and neighborhood poverty, where poorly maintained housing stock built before 1978 is common. (Lead-based paint was banned in 1978 in the United States.) Because of related health conditions, lead-poisoned children are seven times more likely to drop out of school and six times more likely to become involved in the juvenile-justice system than average.

What can be done to eliminate lead poisoning from our communities? It's important to know the risk factors for lead exposure and support efforts to remove lead and other unhealthy elements from our nation's housing stock. The fields of housing, urban development, environmental regulation and public health are coordinating more than ever before in cities like Baltimore and Jackson to eliminate the burden that lead poisoning creates for our communities.

The Mississippi State Department of Health considers 16 counties in the state to be high risk for lead exposure, including Hinds County. That means that one in three Mississippians lives in a county considered to be high risk for lead exposure.

Common sources of lead exposure are: (1) peeling and chipping paint in older homes and buildings built prior to 1978; (2) lead dust from deteriorating surfaces (such as friction created in window and door frames); (3) soils in yards and playgrounds that contain flakes of exterior lead-based paint from houses or buildings, or contamination from industrial sites; (4) products such as antique toys, leaded glass, crystal or glazed pottery; and (5) drinking water in homes built before 1986, which are likely to have leaded plumbing fixtures.

Anyone who is potentially vulnerable to lead poisoning should be tested, especially those with high-risk characteristics, including children under age 6 and pregnant women. In Mississippi, any Medicaid-eligible child can receive a free screening as part of the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment program. Many private insurance companies also cover the cost of screening and treatment.

If you live in an older home, it's best to assume that any chipping and peeling paint in your house could be lead-based, so I recommend becoming familiar with some basic lead safety practices:

• Regularly wet clean floors, window sills and other surfaces ("cleaning wet" reduces movement of dust).

• Remove shoes or wipe soil off shoes before entering your house.

• Keep painted surfaces in good condition to minimize deterioration.

• Wash children's hands, bottles, pacifiers and toys often.

• Ensure children eat healthy, low-fat foods high in iron, calcium and vitamin C.

• Talk to your landlord about fixing surfaces with peeling or chipping paint.

• When renovating, repairing or painting, hire only Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality Lead-Safe certified firms or contractors.

For more information, visit the Green & Healthy Home Initiative's website at greenandhealthyhomes.org.

Catherine Lee joined Green & Healthy Homes Initiative in October 2014. Lee has previously served as Director of Housing and Community Development for Midtown Partners, Inc., and as a special projects officer at the City of Jackson for Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr.