Cleveland experiences some of the highest lead poisoning rates in the U.S., particularly among children, who show the most elevated lead levels in major urban centers. Despite this alarming reality, many children and their families continue to live in environments with lead exposure, often unaware of its dangers. To address the serious and urgent threat posed by lead poisoning, this project aims to implement city-wide testing and educational initiatives to identify children at risk and assist families in reducing exposure. More generally, other communities around the U.S. would benefit from a ‘packaged’ approach that they can tailor to their own circumstances, which we will co-create in Cleveland—with design input from other communities—as a project outcome.
CCOAL (Collective Citizens Organized Against Lead) is a local non-profit based in Cleveland, Ohio with a commitment to address the high levels of lead poisoning that stem from the extensive presence of lead in the environment—found in old paint, soil, water sources, and the air. They have successfully launched educational programs in schools and developed workshops, carried out lead screenings with licensed nurses and have even worked with legislators to pass a lead safe certification program. Despite these efforts, CCOAL recognizes ongoing gaps in community coordination about anti-lead initiatives and recognizes that many children continue to be poisoned and many others remain at risk.
As demonstrated by recent White House announcements regarding lead in homes and water supplies, the anti-lead movement – and more generally, the environmental justice movement – is ever changing, which means community coalitions need the type of capabilities that match their dynamic environment. Our priorities include two practices of interest: community-based lead education and lead sampling. CCOAL has a long, successful track record of providing its community with information on lead pollution through its education and outreach program. Looking forward, its new aim is to provide scientifically proven solutions for citizens to have safe, lead-free homes.
To achieve these objectives, CCOAL will be working with community partners at Case Western Reserve University to bring systems dynamics and environmental scientists together to tailor a social marketing strategy for each practice of interest, as well as our faith-based community leaders who will bring lead education and our findings from this project to the community. The project is centered around educating the community on lead poisoning through CCOAL’s expertise in the field and plans to bring a solution to lead pollution in soil through the use of biochar. Since individuals spend significant time in their homes, testing will be conducted at volunteer residences. The project’s findings will be shared with the community, at follow-up workshops at the same churches, published in academic journals, and used to inform future policy discussions with legislators. Ultimately, this project aligns with CCOAL’s mission to ensure the community is adequately informed about lead poisoning and to explore evidence-based lead remediation solutions.
Robin Brown is the Founder and CEO of Collective Citizens Organized Against Lead (CCOAL), formerly Concerned Citizens Organized Against Lead. As a parent whose child was severely affected by lead poisoning, she is deeply committed to addressing the widespread impacts of lead exposure, particularly in historically marginalized communities. With over two decades of experience, Robin has dedicated her personal and professional efforts to developing and supporting programs focused on lead remediation and prevention.
Throughout her career, Robin has built successful collaborations with local and national stakeholders, working alongside organizations and agencies to create effective interventions for lead poisoning. A sought-after keynote speaker and subject matter expert, she has presented at local and state conferences and to graduate students, raising awareness about the dangers of lead and its disproportionate effects on underserved populations.
Brian Biroscak – In December 2021, Dr. Biroscak relocated to Cleveland, Ohio and joined Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine’s Center for Community Health Integration. He researches, writes, and lectures on marketing-driven systems change, particularly as applied to injury prevention (e.g., lead poisoning).
Prior to joining Case Western, Dr. Biroscak was the first-ever Senior Research Scientist at Weitzman Institute within Community Health Center, Inc., a federally-qualified health center headquartered in Middletown, Connecticut. Previously, Dr. Biroscak worked as Research Director for Yale School of Medicine’s Department of Emergency Medicine. Prior to pursuing his doctoral degree, he worked as an Epidemiologist—first at a state health department and then at a local health department.
Dr. Biroscak obtained his undergraduate degree in Applied Biology. He holds Master’s degrees in Epidemiology as well as Health Communication. He completed his Doctor of Philosophy degree in Public Health with a focus on Social Marketing. He subsequently earned a Graduate Certificate in System Dynamics.
Dr. Biroscak has published articles in multiple peer-reviewed journals. He is a member of the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Collaborator Network. He serves on the Editorial Board for Social Marketing Quarterly and the Board of Directors for the Social Marketing Association of North America (SMANA). He is Associate Editor for the Journal of Social Marketing.
Cheryl Kam graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University receiving a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics with Summa Cum Laude honors in 2020. She is a research assistant and is also working with NASA GeneLab in their ALSDA, animal, microbes and multi-omics analysis working groups. She is interested in aviation medicine, human factors, extreme environments (zero-G, high-G, hypobaric environments). She serves as the Fundraising Chair and the Media Chair on the leadership board of Women in Aerospace Medicine (WAM) and the Diversity Committee of the Aerospace Medicine Students and Residents Organization (AMSRO)
The project team is looking for two additional experts, an environmental scientist to support soil testing and remediation as well as a medical professional to connect soil testing results to human health.
Desired Skills and Qualifications
Desired Skills and Qualifications
Thriving Earth Exchange asks all scientific partners to work with the community to help define a project with concrete local impact to which they can contribute as pro-bono volunteers and collaborators. This work can also position the scientists and communities to seek additional funding, together, for the next stage.
Center for Community Health Integration (Case Western Reserve University)
The mission of the Center for Community Health Integration is to advance relationships, action, and scientific understanding of the systems underlying health and health equity.
Building Hope in the City
Building Hope in the City is our community partner, bridging C.C.O.A.L. to the local community in Cleveland. Partners at Building Hope in the City will be assisting us by providing venues for C.C.O.A.L.’s informative workshops on lead.
Creation Justice Ministries
Partnering with faith communities to address sustainability and environmental health concerns.
