Lead Quote by Matthew Desmond
““When there wasn’t a speaker, he often organized round robins. One such evening, a woman from Lead and Asbestos Information Center, Inc., had started off by announcing, “There is money to be made on lead,” to a room of landlords who more often lost money trying to abate it. One landlord asked whether he would have to report the presence of asbestos to the city or the tenants if he tested for it. “No, you don’t,” the woman had said.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: The Upside of Rent Control, The New York Times, 2022
A speaker organized informal discussions where a woman claimed profit in lead, while landlords worried about costs and reporting asbestos, but she dismissed reporting obligations.
In simple terms: Informal talks highlighted profit claims and dismissed reporting requirements.
Key Takeaway
Question reporting obligations and seek accurate information.
Themes
housing
public health
regulation
communication
risk management
Mood
cautious
critical
inquisitive
Type
advisory
informational
When to use this quote
- landlord meetings
- environmental health seminars
- policy workshops
- community forums
Key Concepts
environmental health
policy
information asymmetry
Questions to Reflect On
- Are reporting obligations truly optional?
- How does profit motive affect health decisions?
A Different Perspective
The claim may oversimplify legal responsibilities and health risks.
