Ms. Vance

Crystal Vance, a 35-year-old mother from Southside Chicago, shares her experience of living in a neighborhood with lead pipes. After her son tested positive for high levels of lead, Vance expresses guilt and calls for a resolution to this issue. Consuming lead can lead to health risks, including lower IQ and behavioral disorders in children. Vance's concerns highlight the need for awareness and action regarding lead contamination in water. Earlier, we spoke with Crystal Vance, prior to recording this podcast, that she was not able to join us today, but we think her story needs to be heard. Ms. Vance is a 35-year-old mother who lives in the Southside Chicago neighborhood that still has lead pipes installed. Ms. Vance said, ìI felt like my body was poisoned, and I was feeding my kid with poison.î After her 5-year-old son tested for high levels of lead as a baby, she talked about how the guilt that she has felt has had a huge impact on her life, and she pleads for this issue to be resolved. Just think of all the different households being affected that have to constantly worry about the water their children are drinking or the water theyíre using to prepare food. Consuming lead is linked to many different health risks. When lead enters the blood, lead can cross the blood-brain barrier and affect your nervous system. Yeah. Links to lower IQs and behavioral disorders have been found when this happens. Obviously, this shows how dangerous this can be for children, and why many parents are extremely concerned in Chicago, including Ms. Vance. Itís crazy to think that no one I know has ever mentioned having to worry about their water being contaminated with lead, and so there are so many people that do. And youíd think something this serious would, you know, everyone would be aware of it. Should more of us be worried about lead in our water? Itís obviously a problem in other areas as well.