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After Kansas Republican Attorney General Kris Kobach claimed studies about how lead is poisonous for humans are "entirely speculative," Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg sounded off on X, formerly Twitter, to lay out some basic science.
Kobach launched a strong critique against federal initiatives aimed at replacing lead pipes, specifically referencing a statement from President Joe Biden's State of the Union Address regarding the desire to address lead pipes.
He wrote:
"Biden wants to replace lead pipes. He failed to mention that the unfunded mandate sets an almost impossible timeline, will cost billions, infringe on the rights of the States and their residents – all for benefits that may be entirely speculative."
An X Community Note below Kobach's post points out that not only is Kobach wrong about the dangers of lead exposure but that his claim the mandate is unfunded is also incorrect because the infrastructure legislation Biden signed in 2021 "provides $15B toward lead service line replacement projects."
You can see the post below.
Buttigieg later issued the following response:
“The benefit of *not being lead poisoned* is not speculative. It is enormous. And because lead poisoning leads to irreversible cognitive harm, massive economic loss, and even higher crime rates, this work represents one of the best returns on public investment ever observed.”
You can see his post below.
Many appreciated Buttigieg's response and joined him in criticizing Kobach's blatantly false claim.
Lead poisoning is a health concern that develops over an extended period as lead accumulates in the body. Even minimal exposure to lead can lead to severe health issues, particularly affecting children under the age of 6. This exposure can significantly impact mental and physical development and, at elevated levels, may even be fatal.
Common sources of lead poisoning in children include lead-based paint and lead-contaminated dust in older buildings, as well as contaminated air, water, and soil. Adults working in certain occupations, such as battery-related work, home renovations, or auto repair, may also face lead exposure.
Detecting lead poisoning can be challenging initially, as symptoms may not manifest until dangerous levels have accumulated, even in outwardly healthy individuals.
Recognizable signs and symptoms in children include developmental delays, learning difficulties, irritability, loss of appetite, weight loss, sluggishness, fatigue, abdominal pain, vomiting, constipation, hearing loss, seizures, and engaging in pica (eating non-food items like paint chips).
Newborns exposed to lead before birth may experience premature birth, lower birth weight, and slowed growth.
While children are more susceptible, lead poisoning poses risks to adults as well, with symptoms such as high blood pressure, joint and muscle pain, memory or concentration difficulties, headaches, abdominal pain, mood disorders, reduced sperm count, abnormal sperm, and potential complications like miscarriage, stillbirth, or premature birth in pregnant women.