Background: Lead is an environmental contaminant that disproportionately impacts communities of color across the United States. There is increasing national attention given to lead poisoning from multiple instances of community-wide lead exposure due to aging infrastructure, past land use, and issues surrounding lead remediation. The purpose of this study was to establish research priorities for a subsequent lead risk exposure assessment in a primarily Latinx community.

Methods: We conducted four, community-based focus groups in Norristown, PA, to establish research priorities for a lead exposure risk assessment. Multiple key stakeholders were invited to participate in these planning efforts. Each focus group was recorded and subsequently transcribed. Transcripts were open coded to identify the community’s research priorities.

Results: We completed n=4 focus groups with a total of n=73 discrete participants across the four focus groups. Research priorities identified included testing for possible lead risks in homes through water and paint; in the community through soil lead testing; and personal blood lead level testing for all members of families participating in this lead exposure assessment. Additional concerns were the impact of occupational lead exposure and resistance of landlords to rectify lead sources in homes.

Conclusions: There was broad community support for a lead exposure risk assessment. Community members were engaged in the initial planning and decision-making process for this study. The results of these focus groups highlight the necessity for multiple lead exposure assessment methods when conducting a community-based exposure assessment.