Interview: Queen Shabazz on Climate Change, Lead Poisoning and Her Mission to Protect Children

Image generated with AI

by T.H.E. EJ Lab (UMD-SPH) The Health, Environmental, and Economic Justice Lab

Published Jan 29, 2025

Childhood lead poisoning is a silent but devastating health crisis that affects countless families, particularly in underserved communities. Queen Shabazz, a dedicated advocate and mother, brings this issue to the forefront in her book, A Child Is a Terrible Thing to Waste. Drawing from her own deeply personal experience as she navigated her son’s life-threatening battle with lead poisoning, Shabazz combines powerful storytelling with actionable insights to inspire change and equip others with the tools to address this preventable health issue.

We spoke with Shabazz about the book, the environmental injustices that exacerbate childhood lead poisoning, and how climate change intersects with this critical issue.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity. 

What inspired you to write A Child Is a Terrible Thing to Waste, and how does this new edition address the changing challenges families face today?

Queen Shabazz: Back in 1996, when over 400 children in Richmond, Virginia were poisoned by lead, there was little to no information or support for families like mine. Parents seeking answers had nowhere to turn, so we formed a support group which became United Parents Against Lead (UPAL). We became a liaison for families navigating this unchartered territory. 

But the challenges have evolved. As laws change and become less protective, we must equip ourselves to be safe from environmental harm. The fight against lead poisoning is far from over, and this book is a call to action—we can no longer tolerate the systemic disregard for our children’s safety, which I termed childrenism. 

Climate change is accelerating environmental risks like flooding, which can release lead into soil and water, and extreme heat can make deteriorating lead-based paint even more dangerous.

This updated edition of A Child Is a Terrible Thing to Waste is my way of continuing the mission against these challenges. It includes Gray Lives Matter, a visual representation of sources of lead poisoning, to help raise awareness about where the dangers lie.  

Your book highlights the preventable health issue of childhood lead poisoning. Can you explain the scope of this problem and how climate change makes the problem worse in our communities?

QS: When communities were redlined in the 1930s, Black families were relegated to living in the oldest and poorest housing stock. That still holds true today for families with low to moderate incomes. The push for equity in housing, healthcare, and education has not corrected the harm caused by redlining. As a result, lead poisoning, which is a silent killer, continues to rob children of their full potential. The damage caused by lead exposure lasts a lifetime.

Climate change amplifies the risks of lead exposure, particularly for low-income communities and communities of color. Flooding caused by stronger storms can stir up lead-contaminated soil, and rising temperatures speed up the breakdown of lead-based paint in older homes, turning it into hazardous dust.

When you combine these environmental risks with redlining and housing discrimination, the burden of lead poisoning becomes a perfect storm—one that climate change is only intensifying.

What are some of the biggest misconceptions about childhood lead poisoning that you hope to challenge with this book?

QS: Rather than challenge misconceptions, I chose to highlight the realities of childhood lead poisoning, particularly the places where we find lead exposure. For example, in examining lead exposure among law enforcement officers, UPAL calls for mandatory periodic testing of all police officers exhibiting violent aggression. The current blood lead reference value is 3.5 µg/dL (micrograms per deciliter). That’s like a grain of sugar dissolving into a swimming pool - even that tiny amount of lead causes permanent and irreversible damage to a child’s developing brain.

You’ve written about your son’s life-threatening battle with lead poisoning. How did that experience change your understanding of the health system?

QS: The health system can be an effective ally, but its potential is often hampered by systemic racism and medical apartheid. Lead poisoning is frequently portrayed as a problem affecting Black children, creating a lack of urgency that results in our children suffering disproportionately, being labeled, and often misdiagnosed. As mothers, we are our children’s first teachers and nurses, and we have the power to turn life-altering despair into triumph and purpose. My family’s journey is one of triumphing over lead. 

What are some actionable steps parents, advocates, and health organizations can take to prevent childhood lead poisoning and support affected families? 

QS: Health organizations must be present and accessible. For instance, in Petersburg, VA, there is no longer a lead clinic due to budget cuts and the consolidation of local health departments under the authority of the Virginia Department of Health. The focus seems to have shifted away from local healthcare initiatives, leaving many our jurisdictions with meager resources and creating healthcare deserts. We must advocate for locally controlled, community-based measures while leveraging available healthy homes initiatives.

As a parent and an advocate, what do you believe is the most significant barrier to eradicating childhood lead poisoning? 

QS: The most significant barriers are political will, financial resources, and education. As the saying goes, "The people perish for lack of knowledge." While progress has been made with the EPA’s updated Lead and Copper Rule and billions of dollars invested in drinking water upgrades and lead pipe replacements, meaningful change is slow. There is also a risk that the current administration could gut or redirect those resources. Real impact will come from politicians who stand up and vote for children’s health and safety. Sustained impact will come from us recognizing that lead poisoning is deeply entwined with climate change and acting accordingly. 

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Queen Shabazz’s A Child Is a Terrible Thing to Waste is available now. Order directly from the UPAL (United Parents Against Lead) store.