ABSTRACT
Understanding and eliminating pollution exposure pathways to communities is part science, part awareness, and part activation. We have been developing and implementing a host of citizen science programs in partnership with communities, particularly revolving around eliminating lead poisoning. Science needs new approaches, and willing partners, to help inform and begin to solve many of our current challenges. One way we have overcome these challenges is by developing clear messaging provided to citizen scientists to understand the sources and risks of lead exposure in homes. We also embrace community engagement and co-creation to address the massive public health challenge of continuing lead exposure in many cities from legacy lead contamination, which permanently impacts the brain development of children. We find that when community partners are brought into the team from the conception phase, they bring their heritage of place, and new approaches that are relevant and effective within the community context emerge.
