The Collapse of Western Metal Mining: An Historical Epitaph

Malone, Michael P.

doi:10.2307/3639707

Cited by 4 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…In fact, regulating the lead health threat from smelters was not a priority for EPA and some smelting states like Missouri at least until the 1990s, by which time the majority of primary smelters had closed and the industry's political power at the state and federal level had diminished. 100 Regulatory efforts, when they occurred, were often spurred by environmental organizations, community members, and public health advocates who pushed for environmental standards to be both set and enforced. Independent science, which advanced knowledge of health risks from smelters, lead, and the particular vulnerability of children, helped to inform the actions of environmental organizations, community members, and public health advocates.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reducing Lead in Air and Preventing Childhood Exposure Near Lead Smelters

Sullivan

2015

New Solut

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Childhood lead exposure and poisoning near primary lead smelters continues in developed and developing countries. In the United States, the problem of lead poisoning in children caused by smelter emissions was first documented in the early 1970s. In 1978, Environmental Protection Agency set National Ambient Air Quality Standards for lead. Attainment of this lead standard in areas near operating lead smelters took twenty to thirty years. Childhood lead exposure and poisoning continued to occur after the lead National Ambient Air Quality Standards were set and before compliance was achieved. This article analyzes and discusses the factors that led to the eventual achievement of the 1978 lead National Ambient Air Quality Standards near primary smelters and the reduction of children's blood lead levels in surrounding communities. Factors such as federal and state regulation, monitoring of emissions, public health activities such as blood lead surveillance and health education, relocation of children, environmental group and community advocacy, and litigation all played a role.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%