Imagine living in a city where the air, the ground, the walls of your house and the food you eat slowly poison you.  Your heart, kidneys and mind are failing, and your children are unable to fully develop.  They cannot learn as well as the average student, and are prone to a life of crime and impulsive action.  For 240 million people affected by lead poisoning, this requires no imagination.

On Monday, Perry Gottesfeld, founder and president of Occupational Knowledge (OK) International, spoke to students, faculty and community members about the problem of lead poisoning, and solutions.  

His presentation, entitled “The contribution of U.S. foreign investment to environmental pollution and health impacts,” specifically explored what role the United States plays in this issue, from investing in lead mining to the production and recycling of lead batteries.

Lead is one of the oldest known workplace hazards, but due to its affordability and sustainability, it continues to be used in batteries.  If handled properly, lead is a safe and efficient choice.  However, Gottesfeld says that is largely not the case today.

“This is a very hazardous industry that is impacting millions of people in our world,” he said.

For many in the audience, this was the first they had heard of the widespread damage done by lead poisoning.  However, in environmental health fields, it is a top concern.

“If we look at children, it is the most important environmental issue, both in the U.S. and around the world,” Gottesfeld said.  

Although most of the people affected by lead poisoning live in developing countries, there are still over half a million children in America who have lead poisoning.

“With the way it affects their development, it ultimately affects their ability to succeed for the rest of their lives,” he said. 

With more money being invested in lead mining, production and recycling in developing countries than ever before, Gottesfeld recommends countries implement and enforce more stringent regulations, as well as developing a third-party certification board for the lead industry.  He also recommends lead businesses in developed countries monitor their supply chain for unsafe practices.  Although progress is being made, change is coming slowly.

“There’s a lot of difficulty around the world putting in any kind of regulation because governments are slow and they don’t have the resources.  But even where you have regulations they don’t often have the capacity to enforce them,” Gottesfeld said.

OK International exists to be the driving force behind these changes through raising awareness, spreading information and coming up with innovative solutions to the problems of lead poisoning.

Gottesfeld and OK International worked with Dr. Jeffrey Weidenhamer, a professor of chemistry at Ashland University, along with several AU students, on a project involving the usage of lead paint in Cameroon. 

Gottesfeld’s presentation was a part of the College of Arts and Sciences’ Symposium Against Indifference.  The presentation was co-sponsored by the College of Nursing.