Celebrating Culture and Health Awareness
September 15th marked the beginning of Hispanic Heritage month, a time to celebrate one of the biggest cultures in the United States; a culture full of love, family, community, and pride. Hispanic communities boast a variety of unique foods, practices, cookware, and tools that help to highlight family histories and stories of migrating to the United States.
As a new intern here at NvCLPPP, and a first generation Mexican-American student at UNLV, I have not only been able to learn invaluable knowledge about health sciences and the environment, but also used it to reflect upon my home life and upbringing. Hispanic communities in the United States in particular are heavily burdened by lead poisoning, and during this month of celebration, we can learn more about this issue and help educate our families and communities.
Lead is an element that is rooted in the planet, but it is not unavoidable for our communities. Many beloved foods, cookware, and other items are central to Hispanic heritage and culture in the household, but they may also be sources of lead exposure. Preserving culture while also prioritizing the health of our community during this month of celebration will help in fighting against dangers such as lead poisoning.
“Preserving culture while also prioritizing the health of our community helps us fight against dangers like lead poisoning.”
Cultural Traditions and Hidden Risks
Hispanic households are often adorned with unique items such as cookwares, remedies, and fabrics that have long been within families for generations. My own household would feel incomplete without seeing some of the old oilas and ceramics my grandmother has had with her for years, or the handmade tablecloths that I’ve known since I was six. These items not only remind us of people, but also stories and memories made in the home. Reflecting on this, it was quite the shock in learning that some of these ceramics that had been in my house for decades were a potential danger to us, as they may have contained excess lead.
Families like mine are not aware of the potential dangers of these items we use regularly, or of the broader challenges that make lead poisoning a persistent issue in our community. It is already so difficult to navigate healthcare in the United States, especially when there are language and financial barriers, which makes it even harder to detect lead poisoning in Hispanic children. Hispanic children, in comparison to other groups, are tested less frequently for lead poisoning or exposure than other demographics (Whitehead and Buchanan, 2019). This lack of testing and awareness means families may not realize where lead exposure can occur. Three common sources of lead exposure in Hispanic households include:
1. Food
The consumption of foods with high amounts of lead is more frequent than many realize in the community. Common products that have been noted to contain lead include packaged rice, cereals, spices such as pepper and turmeric, and tamarind-based candies (1). Many of these products are elements of household dishes in the community, which means they often are imported to local markets, or are brought home between families.
2. Cookware
While most of the cookware produced locally has been regulated, some households still use cookware that is a major source of lead exposure (3). Certain traditional dishes that are bought at local markets or were brought over/passed down through generations often contain high lead levels. Children that eat food cooked with these dishes, or children that touch them frequently, are at very high risks of poisoning.
3. Lead-based paint
Until it was banned in 1978, lead based paint was present in houses in the United States. Houses that were built before this year often still have coats of these paints on the walls, and as this paint chips over time, children are at risk of consuming them and poisoning themselves. Older houses also are more likely to have lead piping, which can leach and contaminate water in the household (4). Hispanic and black neighborhoods have been noted to have elevated blood lead levels while also living in pre-1978 housing compared to white populations that live in more updated homes (4).
These three sources of lead poisoning are ones that everyone in the community should be on the lookout for, and also spread awareness about. Although it may not be possible to stop all production of lead-based products, preventing children from interacting with them and being exposed is 100% possible.
Taking Action to Protect Our Communities
Preventing lead poisoning in the Hispanic community is something that every single one of us is able to do, whether it be through direct action or through everyday conversations with our friends, family, and neighbors! One of the most important first steps to take is to ask your pediatrician or primary care provider about a simple blood test for lead, as early testing for children can increase opportunities for treatments and addressing issues in the household (4). NvCLPPP works with a variety of clinics and providers here in Nevada in an effort to increase testing among families, and asking your pediatrician/provider about testing is a great first step. Along with testing, being advocates for our children’s health and safety involves talking with the people around us about all things lead and health! One single conversation is enough to bring awareness in our communities or neighborhoods about the presence of lead and the need to address it in the household. Having this knowledge allows us to move forward with solutions such as alternative products or functional replacements. Shopping for lead-free foods and dishes at the market can remove a potential lead poisoning source from the home (1). Moving ceramics and cookware that are potential sources of lead from the reach of children while also preserving them safely can help to limit contact with lead, while also keeping the memories and value these items bring you (3).
Celebrating Safely and Looking Ahead
Lead poisoning can impact anybody, and children in particular are the most vulnerable to it. During this month of celebration, Hispanic communities can come together to celebrate our culture and community, while also discussing health dangers such as lead poisoning in efforts to protect and empower our children.
Also, National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week will take place on October 19-25, a week that is all about spreading awareness of lead poisoning among our communities.
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References
Cantoral, A., Betanzos-Robledo, L., Collado-López, S., García-Martínez, B. A., Lamadrid-Figueroa, H., Mariscal-Moreno, R. M., … & Téllez-Rojo, M. M. (2024). Lead Levels in the Most Consumed Mexican Foods: First Monitoring Effort. Toxics, 12(5), 318.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, April 10). Lead exposure symptoms and complications. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/lead-prevention/symptoms-complications/index.html
Hore, P. (2023, May). Lead exposure through traditional Mexican ceramic ware. https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2023-05/Ceramicware_PEHSU_NYCDOHMH_May_2023.%20508.pdf
Winter, A., & Sampson, R. (2020, January 2). Is lead exposure a form of housing inequality?. Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University. https://www.jchs.harvard.edu/blog/is-lead-exposure-a-form-of-housing-inequality
Whitehead, L. S., & Buchanan, S. D. (2019). Childhood lead poisoning: a perpetual environmental justice issue?. Journal of Public Health Management and Practice, 25, S115-S120.