The finding and interdiction of a battery factory with high lead emission got massive media coverage in the city of Bauru (SP), in 2002, given the relevance of this issue to public health. Aiming at evaluating the publications in the press related to lead environmental contamination in a residential area, its repercussion on infantile health and the initiatives of government to face this subject, the present study has been delineated. The analysis of the press discourse is accomplished by the reading of news published in the year of 2002, using tools of qualitative analysis. Starting from the approach of the press on this sequence of events, this reflection represents a contribution to the elaboration of educational programs that focus on the care of the environment and its impact on public health.
Lead poisoning; Environment; Children; Printed media; Intersectorial action
