In a recent episode of The Wall Street Journal's podcast, "The Journal," Kate Linebaugh interviews former telephone line worker Tommy Steed and Shalini Ramachandran, an investigative reporter from The Wall Street Journal. The discussion revolves around Ramachandran's report on toxic lead cables used by telecom companies and the subsequent health risks faced by their employees. 

Steed, who began working as a cable splicer for New York Telephone in 1971, details his role in maintaining and installing telephone cables in various neighborhoods. He recalls his routine medical check in 1988 that surprisingly revealed his lead levels were dangerously high, and discusses the health issues that he has suffered. Steed represents tens of thousands of workers who've been exposed to lead through their work at telecom companies like AT&T and Verizon.

According to Ramachandran, telecom companies have known about the health risks posed by lead-covered cables for decades. She explains how these companies, including Bell System (a predecessor of AT&T and Verizon), used lead-covered cables since the late 1800s to keep the water out of the copper wires transmitting signals across the country. The installation and maintenance of these cables were done by workers like Steed, without proper protective gear or adequate safety training. Ramachandran reveals that current telecom workers are still interacting with and potentially being exposed to these lead-sheathed cables. They frequently have to repair these cables, especially in heavy rain, which could result in lead exposure. Ramachandran and Linebaugh discuss the health implications of lead exposure, which can include kidney, heart, and reproductive problems, as well as neurological disorders like Parkinson's disease.

Despite the companies claiming to follow safety guidelines, including offering lead level testing for their employees, many workers claim that they were never provided a mask, respirators, or safety training. 

The Wall Street Journal investigation team uncovered that Bell Systems, in the late 1970s, conducted studies which showed high lead levels among their workers. However, it does not appear that the company took significant action on this knowledge, with safety manuals published occasionally, but not necessarily well-known or widely read. 

The discussion also includes an interview with Brad Allenby, a former vice president of environment health and safety for AT&T. He affirmed the ubiquity of lead in the telecom industry but suggested that the main danger arises when the lead is "mobilized," such as when a soldering iron melts the lead, creating gaseous lead which can be inhaled. However, the level of protection provided to workers in such scenarios remains unclear. Allenby admits that if there were exposure issues during his tenure at AT&T, they should have been addressed in compliance with OSHA guidelines.

Ramachandran's report highlights the potential health dangers and negligence in the telecom industry related to the use of lead-covered cables. It emphasizes the need for proper safety measures and more transparency from these companies about the hazards faced by their employees.

Listen to The Journal episode "What AT&T and Verizon Knew About Toxic Lead Cables" here.