April will mark the 10-year anniversary of Freddie Gray’s death in police custody that ignited protests in Baltimore and across the country. What some might not know about Gray is that years earlier, he was found to have 35 micrograms of lead in his blood as result of exposure to dust from chipping lead paint in his childhood home in Baltimore.

There is no amount of lead exposure that is considered safe, and in Gray’s case, the amount of lead in his blood is far above what can impair brain development among other serious health problems. Lead exposure can also dramatically impact school achievement and even lifetime earnings.

The paint that was in Gray’s childhood home had been recalled, and yet this was one of many homes that were not properly remediated. In 2008, Gray and his siblings ultimately took a settlement with the property owner, but the damage had already been done.

Gray’s story is just one example of the lead crisis that many low-income families in Baltimore and across the country have grappled with. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates there are nearly 31 million homes across the United States that still have lead paint. Baltimore is especially prone to lead exposure with a large number of older deteriorating properties and the city’s high poverty rate, which is a risk factor.

The 10-year anniversary of Gray’s death is a tragic reminder of the environmental injustice that he and millions of other Americans have faced — especially those from low-income communities and communities of color. It is also an opportunity to recognize the importance of putting our support behind leaders who are committed to solving these environmental challenges.

Whether it’s protecting families from lead exposure or addressing the climate crisis that is fueling deadly storms, we need leaders at every level of government who are serious about finding solutions.

Just last week, the Biden-Harris administration finalized a new rule that identifies any reportable level of lead paint dust as hazardous and requires stronger standards for cleanup. The rule is expected to reduce exposure for over 1.2 million Americans every year, including over 320,000 children under six. Lead exposure is preventable and this step will help keep children and families safe.

It is also a reminder that then-President Donald Trump’s Environmental Protection Agency officials proposed ending critical programs focused on reducing lead-based paint exposure, including training workers to safely remove it from properties. We must continue making progress on ending lead exposure and ensure that these policies are not rolled back under any leader or administration.

As we remember Freddie Gray’s life and the millions of Americans who have suffered from our nation’s environmental and public health crises, let’s work together to put the safety of our communities first and defend environmental justice and civil rights.

Christopher Round is an expert on environmental and climate issues with a Ph.D. in environmental science and policy from George Mason University. He is an adviser to the DNC Council on the Environment and Climate Crisis.