Environmental Science & Public Health - Lead

Studying Potential Lead Ingestion in Children During Outdoor Play

Unlock your potential as an environmental research scientist! Our comprehensive training equips you with essential skills in data analysis, laboratory techniques, and scientific writing.

As an Environmental Science & Public Health Research participant, you will participate in research that investigates the impact that exposure to lead contaminated soils has on children. In this program you will design and organize a research study, use state of the art equipment to measure lead concentrations in collected soils, analyze data, calculate lead ingestion concentrations among young children exposed to contaminated soils, and write a mini manuscript.

Most urban environments contain lead concentration levels that exceed healthy limits set by state and federal agencies.  This is largely the result of the addition of lead in consumer products including gasoline and paint prior to the 1980s.  Unfortunately, in many locations this particular additive has left a toxic legacy that puts children at risk of lead poisoning.  For example, published reports indicate that every year more than 250 children are poisoned by lead in Alameda County, many sustaining neurodevelopmental injuries that will affect them for the rest of their lives.