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Erie County snags $1.65M for lead paint removal

July 22, 2016
By: Andy Ouriel, The Sandusky Register
July 22, 2016
SANDUSKY — Erie County literally took the lead in landing lead abatement money.
The county health department on Friday received noticed it secured $1.65 million in federal funds to:
  • Remove lead in 80 area homes
  • Implement other proactive strategies to keep these homes safe from other toxins, such as radon and asbestos
Work on homes should begin in October and take about three years to complete.
Dozens if not hundreds of other municipalities nationwide applied for a portion of these funds. Only Erie County and 22 other communities, however, received money from a pot totaling almost $53 million.
Local officials credit U.S. Marcy Kaptur, D-Toledo, for helping obtain the money.
The federal award “for Erie County to help combat lead hazards for our families and children, who should not have their health threatened because of where they live, is welcome news,” Kaptur said in a statement.
At least 4 million U.S. households have children today who are exposed to high levels of lead, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“Lead hazards are particularly prevalent in low-income communities,” Kaptur said. “Even small amounts of lead can cause serious health problems.”
Erie County health commissioner Pete Schade seemed thrilled with the award.
“We thank Marcy Kaptur and the other folks in our federal government that recognize the need here in Erie County for us to continue to abate lead hazards in homes,” he said.
The community’s aging housing stock is one reason for the prevalence of lead being present in many homes. The federal government outlawed toxic lead-based household paints in 1978.
“We feel, as a health department, it’s of paramount importance that people have a clean, safe place to live, and we feel that this program will continue to improve the quality of life for our residents,” Schade said.
Schade said his staff is well versed in lead abatement and removal.
“We know how to administer the program, and we have great people working here,” he said. “We won’t spend this money on getting trained. We are ready to hit the road running and get that money into our neighborhoods and get this problem turned around for as many people as we can.”
Erie County residents can apply for the grant. To inquire, call 419-626-5623.
Looking at lead
The federal government outlawed toxic lead-based household paints in 1978.
Millions of U.S. homes, however, are still covered in lead-based paints today.
Research shows ingesting or inhaling the toxin may cause developmental problems in children up to age 6.
Lead is also concerning because:
  • Any exposure can harm young children and babies before they are born.
  • Children who seem healthy can have high levels of lead in their bodies. It can negatively impact intelligence and possibly cause stunted growth, impaired hearing, kidney damage, learning disabilities and even death.
Q&A on lead
Q: How can your child be exposed to lead paint?
A: Lead is invisible to the naked eye and has no smell. Children may be exposed to it from older homes or by consumer products through normal hand-to-mouth activity, which is part of their development. They often place toys, fingers and other objects in their mouths, exposing themselves to lead paint or dust.
Q: How do you test a toy for lead?
A: Only a certified laboratory can accurately test a toy for lead. Although do-it-yourself kits are available, they do not indicate how much lead is present, and their reliability at detecting low levels of lead has not been determined.
Q: What should you do if you are concerned about your child’s exposure to lead?
A: If you have any reason to suspect your child has been exposed to a toy containing lead, remove the toy immediately. If you believe your child has been exposed to lead paint or dust, remove the child from the area and have your home tested and treated. Most children with elevated blood-lead levels have no symptoms. The only way to tell is to have a blood test. Your health care provider can help you decide whether such a test is needed and can also recommend treatment if your child has been exposed.