Background Information

After the publication of the Reid Hillview Airport Lead Study, the community came together to demand Santa Clara County to take action to keep the public safe from lead exposure.

Therefore, the County took steps to address and bring awareness to lead exposure around the Reid Hillview Airport (RHV). Part of the effort included:
  • Need for a lead study (done by experts)
  • ​Need to inform the community
  • Need to work with community organizations
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In July 2022, LUNA and the County partnered to take these steps. From July to October 2022 LUNA and a team of Promotores door knocked 14,481 households 1.5 miles around the RHV airport.

October 2022-Dec 2022 LUNA held House Meetings with community members to inform them of the findings of the RHV lead study and to provide lead exposure education.
Nov 2022-January 2023 LUNA invited and prepared community members to participate in the EPA public hearing related to leaded aviation fuel and the 90 day public comment period.
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LUNA staff alongside Promotores and Dr. Bruce Lanphear
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Community alongside Dr. Bruce Lanphear

Where we're at:

As of March 2023, LUNA's work with Santa Clara County around RHV has slowed down. We have fulfilled the partnership's intentions: informing the community about the findings of the RHV lead study, lead exposure education and actions community members can take to protect themselves, and connected residents to the EPA hearing and 90 day public comment process.

While the campaign's primary areas of focus have come to a close, we will spend the next few months reassessing our work to identify potential meaningful opportunities to engage the community around this issue. Additionally, due to a shortage in staffing, LUNA does not currently have the capacity to work intentionally with the community. 
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​However, this should not discourage community members from continually connecting and fostering a relationship with each other. We would also like to encourage you to reach out to LUNA for information/resources around lead exposure/testing (see below), how to connect with your neighbors, etc. You may reach us at: [email protected]

For More Information On Lead Study

Get Your Child Tested 

Children who are at risk of being exposed to lead should be tested at one and two years of age. Some children who are older than two years also need to be tested. If your child has an elevated level of lead in their blood, a doctor or someone from the health department will help you. The blood lead test is free when your child has a medical exam under: Medi-Cal, Child Health and Disability Prevention Program (CHDP), and Head Start. Other health insurance plans also pay for this test.

Talk to your pediatrician, general practitioner, or local health agency about what you can do.

Example:
"Hi Doctor, I would like to have a lead test done for my child because…I live near an airport that possibly uses lead based gasoline”

Just by doing a blood test, your doctor can check if your child is exposed to lead.

​If you or your child do not have health insurance, we can help refer you to Community Health Partnership (CHP) who can help get you connected with affordable health care options.


​County Resources To Get Your Child Tested

LUNA Resources On Lead Exposure

LUNA Slideshow
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