Supporting statement: In July 2023 The Wall Street Journal published a major report stating that telecommunications companies “have left behind a
sprawling network of cables covered in toxic lead that stretches across the U.S., under the water, in the soil and on poles
overhead.” The story continued: “As the lead degrades, it is ending up in places where Americans live, work and play.”
The Journal noted that the former AT&T laid lead‑sheathed cables up until the 1960s, when the industry began using plastic
sheathing and then fiber optic cables. However, the lead‑sheathed cables remained in place.
These disclosures sparked public health and environmental concerns as to employees who worked regularly with
lead‑sheathed cables and as to communities where lead, a toxic metal, can contaminate soil and water.
A former EPA official said the Journal findings suggest that buried cables could pose a significant problem “everywhere,” and
“you're not going to know where it is in a lot of places.” An environmental public health professor stated that this “new
uncontrolled source of lead” may help explain “why children continue to have lead in their blood,” adding: “We never knew
about it so we never acted on it, unlike lead in paint and pipes.”
The revelations prompted action by federal and state regulators and demands for action from elected officials. Verizon's
responded that “[w]e take the matter seriously,” that lead‑sheathed cables are “a small percentage” of our copper network,
and that the likelihood of lead exposure was “low.” Verizon added that records on the extent of lead sheathing are
“incomplete,” but the Company was investigating sites identified by the Journal and when the results are in, Verizon will “work
with our industry and others to address concerns and issues.”
Apart from the public health and environmental concerns, this issue raises significant cost concerns for investors. An analyst
for New Street Research estimated remediation costs between $10-$26 billion, although government programs may play a
role.
In the first months after the story broke, Verizon has said little publicly on this issue. We acknowledge Verizon's rather vague
claims it is “investigating,” but believe that the potential scale, public health risks and cost of this matter warrant the sort of
comprehensive and independent examination recommended here.
This issue is too important to be allowed to slip from public sight. Lead remediation efforts in other industries have dragged
on for years, and we believe it is important for Verizon to be ahead of the curve.

Filed by The Association of BellTell Retirees Inc.