Abstract: Pediatric lead poisoning is one of the most studied and persistent issues of environmental and racial injustice facing the United States. Great strides have been made at lowering pediatric blood lead levels in the aggregate since the NHANES began systematically tracking the problem in the late 1970’s but disparities continue to compound. Lead poisoning in children continues to take a disproportionate toll on African American, Hispanic, and poor neighborhoods. A successful Green New Deal must address environmental, racial, and economic justice. Confronting lead poisoning provides this opportunity while providing a robust return on investment (Gould 2009). This paper closes with 11 programs related to addressing this injustice and environmental problem. 1) restorative justice for adult survivors of pediatric lead poisoning. 2) Universal testing and tracing for pediatric lead poisoning. 3) Comprehensive lead-soil testing. 4) Provide necessary and ongoing support services for children identified as lead poisoned. 5) Safely removing lead paint from the exterior and interior of pre-1978 housing. 6) Lead service line replacement and the overhaul of ageing municipal water infrastructure. 7) Remediation of lead in soil. 8) Develop effective and safe recycling strategies for lead loaded products. 9) Prevent the continual poisoning of children through closer oversight of consumer products. 10) Continued development of alternative-to-lead battery technologies. 11) Adequate nutrition for children and expectant mothers. If the Green New Deal does not build the equity in disadvantaged communities, it will fail.
Keywords: Jobs, Equity, Health, Environment, Lead Poisoning, Green New Deal, Public Policy
JEL codes: I14, Q5, D63
