The History of Residential Segregation: The Story of Lead

Where you live influences many facets of life. Access to transportation, safety, economic stability, quality of education, and health can all boil down to which zipcode you call home. This is especially true in Omaha when we consider the role of environmental hazards like lead (Pb). Historical residential segregation in eastern Omaha increased lead hazards and ensured their long-lasting consequences into the present. To better understand the effects of residential segregation on lead exposure, we track the deteriorated/dilapidated housing stock in Omaha between 1950-2000. Refining our understanding of how lead and residential segregation are related opens a door for accountability and intentional solutions for all communities to thrive, no matter your zipcode.