Will we see leadership on this lead problem?

It should be a concern to all citizens when a government agency that is trusted to protect and serve the public fails to do the same for its workers. The Dec. 20 article by Don Hopey concerning the Allegheny County Health Department's own offices having extremely high lead levels is another sad example of government failure to take care of its own problems ("High Lead Levels in Office for Lead Prevention").

That the county lead prevention office and others are contaminated with very high lead levels and nothing is being done is troubling. Lead poisoning is a serious threat to children and adults. Dr. Bruce Dixon, the executive director of the county health department, appears to be saying there is no problem, yet other doctors with expertise in this area present a different response.

Our county executive, Dan Onorato, is running for governor and if successful will be in charge of our state Department of Environmental Protection. I hope the Post-Gazette follows this issue, as it will be an interesting test case to see how Mr. Onorato and his executive staff deal with trouble under their own roof. I hope as public servants they do what it takes to get the lead out.

 

RICK (ROCKY) WICE
Squirrel Hill

 

 

The writer is an environmental professional for a local consulting firm.