KDKA News – CONTROLLER CALLS LEAD IN CHILDREN A CRISIS: HEALTH DEPT. STICKS THEIR HEADS FURTHER IN THE SAND
Families in Pittsburgh can get Zero Water Filter Systems here.
and coupons for Zero Water Filters from the Mayor’s Office here.
RELATED: Allegheny County Board of Health Flops on Pittsburgh Water Lead Issue
ACHD’s Karen Hacker is still missing the point. The presence of tens of thousands of lead service pipes and homes with lead bearing premise plumbing (interior pipes, fixtures, solder, flux and faucets) are a source of health threatening amounts of lead in the water that folks in Allegheny County use to cook with, to drink and to mix with formula. According to USEPA a developing fetus or a bottle fed baby gets about 90% of their lead from water. For all kids under 6 years of age the contribution of water to lead in our children is between 10% and 40%.
Controller Chelsa Wagner’s report is following the peer reviewed science while the health department’s Hacker is stuck repeating tired old nostrums and canards that can’t hold up to the indisputable evidence based reality that is clear from any review of the widely accepted literature on this subject.
I understand Hacker’s defensive posture. I know that ACHD is focused on lead in paint, soil, dust and jewelry, yet she seems to have a tin ear on this issue. The Controller can lead the ACHD to water but Hacker has to choose to drink from the well of knowledge that is staring her in the face.
Paul Schwartz
Campaign for Lead Free Water
Washington, DC
(202) 279-0438