by Joey Clavijo, Deacon Postulant, St. George’s, New Orleans,
Schedule on Sunday, July 17 (weather permitting):
8:00 AM Holy Eucharist at St. George’s, 4600 St. Charles Ave, New Orleans
After Eucharist: Brief meeting to train volunteers
9:00 AM Leave church to go to the Gentilly Neighborhood of New Orleans
Something in the Drinking Water
The Problem
Reported cases of childhood lead poisoning are growing across the country. The recent national news coverage of the drinking water problem in Flint Michigan has shed light on the role that drinking water plays in lead exposure.
Lead is a toxic metal that can be found in old plumbing used in houses constructed prior to 1970. It can cause developmental delays, learning disabilities, and behavior problems in children. It affects children and women below the age of 45, especially during pregnancy. It affects the elderly.
Testing
The LSU School of Public Health is in the midst of a three year study in which they are investigating the levels of lead in New Orleans drinking water. Last year, tests identified high lead levels in several New Orleans neighborhoods. This summer, LSU plans to test an additional 160 homes, many in lower social economic areas of the city.
The Need
LSU Health Sciences professor Dr. Adrienne L. Katner is the principle investigator for the study. She has compiled the list of homes and ordered the test kits which are ready for distribution. She needs a volunteer network to deliver the test kits to the 160 homes, train the participants on how to administer the water testing in their homes, and follow up to make sure the tests have been completed and sent in for analysis. After analysis is complete, the volunteer network will return to the homes with the results and train on remediation. Remediation could be as simple as installing water filters on kitchen sinks.
Education
Dr. Katner believes the biggest need is education. The ability for volunteer networks to gather the community in to educate and work along with them until total remediation is completed in these neighborhoods. I believe our churches are well suited for this work.
Something in Our Baptismal Water
Our baptism has joined us together in Christ and forged a connection between us that nothing can destroy. The need for us to connect with our neighbors in these high risk neighborhoods, to provide education and remediation from this health risk connects us back to our baptismal covenant:
- “Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself”?
- “Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being”?
- We answer… We will with God’s help.
Join With Other Episcopalians in the LSU Lead Testing Volunteer Network
Testing begins July 18. There will be one meeting (not scheduled at this time) just before that date to train volunteers. If you and/or your church are interested in volunteering some of your time and talent to participate in this study, please contact:
Joey Clavijo
St Georges Episcopal Church
jclavijo@cox.net
504-914-6673
More information about the LSU Lead Study can be found here.