Revealed: a toxic metal is in a US city’s air – and may be harming children’s brains

Lead is still used at some racetracks around the US, including in Portland, Oregon – and lead emissions can impair the cognitive development of children living nearby

When a neighbor mentioned to Kristy Lanciotti, a mother of two and pediatric nurse who works in environmental health, that toxic leaded gasoline was being used at a racetrack just down the road from her house in Portland, Oregon, she was taken aback.

She was well aware of Portland International Raceway – most summer weekends were punctuated by the roar of engines – but Lanciotti, like most of her neighbors, was surprised to learn that the cars in many of those events were powered by a fuel that could damage her children’s brains.