LEAD

LEAD. Lead, the mineral upon which the mining industry of Dubuque was based, was originally used in the manufacture of pewter in cookware, pipes, weights, paint, and ammunition for firearms. (1) It was found years later to be a significant health hazard. Lead-based paints were banned nationwide in 1978 because of health concerns. In 1992 Iowa was the first rural state to receive funding from the Centers for Disease Control for child lead poisoning prevention. (2)

In 1994 health authorities announced that 9 of every 100 children in Dubuque had more lead in their blood than federal officials considered safe. This percentage was slightly higher than the 7% statewide because of the age of Dubuque's housing. City officials planned to use a $55,7881 state grant to help parents protect their children by helping to find sources of home lead poisoning. City health officials were planning to work with homeowners while city housing officials were working with landlords. Compliance in 1994, however, was only voluntary. (3)

It was perhaps the relationship of lead and gasoline that affected the most people. Automobiles dramatically changed life in the United States with their invention in the late nineteenth century. One of the negatives of automobiles, however, was a persistent and loud knocking sound from the engines.

In 1916 Charles F. Kettering, founder of Delco, hired Thomas Midgley, Jr. to eliminate the persistent knocking. Midgley discovered that the problem was caused by the gasoline being produced in the United States. Placing tetraethyl lead additives into the gasoline eliminated the knocking sound. Midgley patented this new version of gasoline, ethyl gasoline, on December 9, 1921.

Unfortunately, the lead caused deposits to form on engine valves, causing engines to quit operating. Midgley then added ethylene dibromide to ethyl gasoline, which prevented the lead deposits. This new version of ethyl gasoline was sold for the first time on February 2, 1923 in Dayton, Ohio. Leaded gasoline proved harmful for the environment; today leaded fuel is no longer used. (4)

Most adults with elevated blood lead levels are exposed to lead at work. Those in occupations related to mining, ironwork or welding, construction, renovation and remodeling activities, smelters, firing ranges, the manufacture and disposal of car batteries, automobile radiator repair, metal shop work, and the manufacture of pottery or stained glass are particularly at risk for lead exposure. (5)

In 2023, due to a decrease in anticipated state funding, city officials had to reduce their plan to replace lead service lines to more than 3,000 homes in the city. The reduced expenditure possible was $5.7 million for the project. This would address the need in 575 homes. The original project would have cost an estimated $32 million. To pursue the larger plan, water rates would have had to be raised, a decision not supported by the city manager or the council. (6)

In 2024 the city received another $5.2 million lead-mitigation grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. This grant allowed the city to continue hiring contractors to help residents living in older homes mitigate toxic lead paint. Homes that were painted before 1978 could qualify to receive up to $35,000 in lead mitigation. A special emphasis would be placed on homes where children younger than 6 lived or were frequently present. There were no restrictions based on neighborhood or owner-occupancy. Landlords were required fund 10% of the cost, which was to be used to replace old windows or repaint areas inside and outside a house where lead paint was chipping or peeling. (7)

See GALENA

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Source:

1. Klein, Robert F., Julien Dubuque--Portrait of a Pioneer, Dubuque, IA, Loras College Press, 2021, p. 15

2. "War on Lead Poisoning 20 Years Old," Telegraph Herald, April 1, 1994, p. 3A

3. Eiler, Donnelle. "City to Help Identify Lead Exposure Risks," Telegraph Herald, February 22, 1994, p. 1

4. "Ethyl Gasoline," Ohio History Connection. Online: https://ohiohistorycentral.org/w/Ethyl_Gasoline

5. "Lead..."

6. Kruse, John, "Dubuque Lead Line Project Downsized," Telegraph Herald, September 20, 2023, p. 1

7. Gray, Chris, "Dubuque Receives $5.2 million Federal Grant to Remove Lead Paint from Homes," THonline, December 14, 2024