{"id":86917,"date":"2019-04-01T17:43:50","date_gmt":"2019-04-01T21:43:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/?p=86917"},"modified":"2019-04-01T17:43:50","modified_gmt":"2019-04-01T21:43:50","slug":"allentown-addressing-lead-poisoning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/?p=86917","title":{"rendered":"ALLENTOWN ADDRESSING LEAD POISONING"},"content":{"rendered":" <\/p>\n
Allentown\u2019s federally funded Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control Program is entering the home stretch having remediated 32 homes since its inception.<\/p>\n
The city was awarded a nearly $1.4 million U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development Lead Based Paint Hazard Control Grant in July 2016.\u00a0 At an average cost of $15,000, including relocation, the city hopes to clear an additional 13-to-18 units of lead hazards by this fall.<\/p>\n
Due to older housing stock, the presence of lead paint on interior and exterior finishes is more common in the city than in other areas.<\/p>\n
Exposure to lead by children under the age of 6 and women who are pregnant are most at risk. A blood test is required to determine an elevated blood lead level (EBL). Lead exposure may cause learning disabilities, slow growth, fatigue, joint pain, vomiting and other problems.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a problem that is causing serious harm to the young children of Allentown,\u201d said Mayor Ray O\u2019Connell.\u00a0 \u201cBy implementing this program through funding from HUD, we are improving the health of our residents and creating safer homes in the city.\u201d<\/p>\n
Allentown Director of Community and Economic Development Leonard Lightner says \u201cour staff is working together with our community healthcare partners to identify cases where the elevated blood lead levels in children are present.\u00a0 We work on a confidential basis to reach out to the families and schedule a home visit.\u00a0 At this point we can use specialized equipment to identify potential lead sources in the home.\u00a0 Our staff is highly trained to identify lead paint hazards and work with the family on a plan to reduce the hazards.\u201d<\/p>\n
Allentown is one of few cities that has enacted an ordinance requiring testing and remediation in homes where a child has been poisoned by lead paint.\u00a0 Headed by the city\u2019s Department of Community & Economic Development through the Community Housing Department and the Bureau of Health, Allentown\u2019s Lead Based Paint Hazard Control Program allows this work to take place free of charge to income qualified families.<\/p>\n
The city also utilized a portion of the HUD grant funds for contractor training to increase the supply of licensed professionals to perform the work.\u00a0 Lead hazard control work must be done by a contractor that is certified and licensed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am proud of the work our city staff is doing to address this disturbing problem,\u201d added Mayor O\u2019Connell.\u00a0 \u201cWe must protect our residents, especially our youth, from lead exposure and its debilitating effects.\u201d<\/p>\n
For more information on the City of Allentown\u2019s Residential Lead Remediation Program, please call Community Housing Coordinator Heidi Westerman at 610-439-5997.<\/p>\n
Information provided to TVL by:
\nMike Moore
\nCommunications Manager
\nMayor’s Office
\n435 Hamilton Street
\nAllentown, PA 18101
\nMike.Moore@allentownpa.gov
\nhttp:\/\/www.AllentownPA.gov<\/p>\n
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