Omaha’s Lead Crisis Persists | Omaha News

In Omaha, decades of lead contamination from a former smelter still puts kids at risk—even as the EPA struggles to respond. New testing reveals dangerous levels spread across historically Black, Hispanic, and even wealthier neighborhoods, despite cleanup efforts since the 1990s. The current EPA standard, based on outdated science, ignores newer research showing harm from lower lead exposure. Residents like Natalie Thorpe, who moved into a home she believed was safe, now live with constant fear. While the EPA offers tools like lead-testing websites and home visits, blood lead levels in the Superfund zone remain higher than national averages. This summer, the agency is retesting soil—and could soon decide whether to expand cleanup or lower the threshold for action, with results expected by October 2027. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/10a96869a90adee9