About Operation Paydirt
Lead-contaminated soil is an issue in most major U.S. cities and contributes to the detrimental effects of lead-poisoning. The health of children across the nation is being threatened by the very ground they play on.
In New Orleans alone 86,000 properties are estimated to have unsafe levels of lead in the soil. At least 30% of the inner city childhood population is affected from lead-poisoning.
Operation Paydirt offers a scientifically-proven method to neutralize hazardous lead (Pb). Operation Paydirt provides the science to transform lead so that it is no longer harmful and a citywide implementation strategy with the potential of creating a model for all cities facing a similar threat. A team of scientists, architects, community groups and city officials are developing this strategy. The estimated cost to
treat New Orleans soil is $300,000,000.
The Fundred Dollar Bill Project supports Operation Paydirt by symbolically raising the $300,000,000 needed to create a lead-safe New Orleans!
See more on Operation Paydirt, click here.
Where Does the Lead Come From?
Although the use of lead is now limited, residual lead (primarily from gasoline and paint) contaminates soils and continues to be a significant public health problem in many cities. Lead particulates (airborne in dry seasons), flaking house paint, gasoline and other industrial emission all compromise the soil.
Even more lead facts, click here.
Why is Lead a Problem?
Children have a high sensitivity to lead and are at risk to blood poisoning due to exposure from playing in contaminated soils as well as through breathing airborne lead dust. There are serious consequences resulting from children exposed to lead-contaminated soil. Many studies indicate a direct connection between lead-poisoning and poor performance in the schools, learning disabilities, juvenile delinquency and violent crime.
For an in-depth report, see this article by Scientist Howard Mielke: Children's blood lead and standardized test performance response as indicators of neurotoxicity in metropolitan New Orleans schools.
For a one page summary and map of the correlations between soil lead, blood lead, and student achievement, see this report: Metal Toxicity in New Orleans: Soil Pb, Blood Pb and Student Achievement by 4th Graders.
A growing body of literature is detailing the societal costs of lead-poisoning. Lead poisoning is related to attention deficit-hyperactivity disorders and the need for special education. The correlation between early lead-exposure to adult-onset health problems is proven. The financial impacts are evident when considering lifetime earning potential and the direct costs of crime and its related costs.
For information: see this brochure about Lead Poisoning Risks and Controls, created by the New Orleans Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program
How is Operation Paydirt Making a Difference?
Test sites in New Orleans are evaluating methods of mineral stabilization that neutralizes the hazards of lead vs. the traditional methods of removing and/or covering the contaminated soil. This methodology, called Treat-Lock-Cover (TLC) by Operation Paydirt, will lock the lead in stable, bio-unavailable mineral formations that cannot be absorbed into the bloodstream. This approach has been successfully implemented in heavily polluted industrial sites. Operation Paydirt seeks to establish the effectiveness of the TLC method in New Orleans as a model for all other U.S. cities.
As part of its implementation strategy, Operation Paydirt will deliver a citywide plan that takes into account practical engineering, landscape design, and community development to make New Orleans a lead–safe city. This plan will be delivered to Congress along with the 300,000,000 Fundred Dollars. In the end, it will be up to Congress to support making New Orleans, and cities across the United States safe for children!
Do you want to meet the scientists behind Operation Paydirt?
Howard Mielke: Toxicologist/Urban Environmental expert Howard Mielke has been working on lead contamination issues for 30 years and has done extensive research in New Orleans. Mielke and Lead Lab conducted a pilot treatment on 25 properties in New Orleans for lead contamination and serendipitously noted significant drops in the blood lead levels of the children living there. His work with this project, ReCover, formed the basis for Operation Paydirt’s mission to make every single property in New Orleans, and across the country, lead-safe for the people.
Andrew Hunt: Dr. Andrew Hunt is a research scientist who has worked on environmental lead exposure in relation to pediatric lead poisoning for over 20 years. His work with phosphate amendment of lead contaminated soil in various field and laboratory trials is the basis for the Operation Paydirt protocol. He is currently teaching in the Department of Earth and Environmental Science at the University of Texas at Arlington.
