"Local filmmaker points lens at another public health crisis: lead poisoning in Oakland"

In the midst of the global pandemic, we can't forget about other urgent public health issues. For Berkeleyside, I interviewed artist and filmmaker Alex Bledsoe, who is working on a documentary titled OAKLEAD about the lead poisoning crisis in Oakland. Alex is this year's recipient of Berkeley Film Foundation's Jonathan Logan Elevate Award.

Here's an excerpt of the article:

"Bledsoe cites statistics that show as many as 500,000 children under 6 in the U.S. are currently lead poisoned, a condition that can result in permanent damage to the brain and kidney.

'It can lead to learning disabilities, lower IQ, behavioral issues and incarceration, coma, seizures and even death,' said Bledsoe.

Bledsoe believes awareness and prevention can help remedy the problem and hopes her film can offer a solution, however.

'Lead poisoning is 100% preventable,' she says. 'This film has the potential to cause people across the United States to rightfully question the safety of their own water and environment, and protect current and future generations of children.'"

Photo by Vincent Cortez

Read the full story here. Thank you to Alex for shedding light on this important issue. Let's fight for safe drinking water for all. Thanks for reading!