{"id":8747,"date":"2009-11-19T16:22:52","date_gmt":"2009-11-19T21:22:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/?p=8747"},"modified":"2020-12-06T10:38:30","modified_gmt":"2020-12-06T15:38:30","slug":"more-than-100-homes-cleared-of-lead-paint-hazards-under-hud-grant","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/2009\/11\/19\/more-than-100-homes-cleared-of-lead-paint-hazards-under-hud-grant\/","title":{"rendered":"More than 100 homes cleared of lead paint hazards under HUD grant"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"City<\/p>\n

Press release from the City of Fort Wayne:<\/p>\n

More than 100 homes cleared of lead paint hazards under HUD grant<\/strong>
\nHUD approves extension to allow more families to be assisted<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Mayor Tom Henry joined representatives from the City of Fort Wayne, the Fort Wayne-Allen County Department of Health and the St. Joseph Community Health Foundation today to mark a milestone in their combined efforts to reduce lead paint hazards in homes. They were recognizing a home that had undergone lead hazard clearance work after two children who live there were found to have elevated levels of lead in their blood. A $1.89 million grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) was awarded to the collaborative to address the issue of lead hazards in homes.<\/p>\n

Recently, the group finished clearing its100th house of lead paint hazards. Most homes built before 1978 contain some lead-based paint. Lead-based paint is more common and was used more extensively in homes built before 1950. Much of Fort Wayne’s housing stock falls into this age. Lead from paint chips, which you can see, and lead dust, which you can’t always see, can both be serious health hazards. The health concern is mainly for children under 7, whose brains are still developing and are particularly susceptible to long-term health issues if the exposure continues. They are identified through blood tests which can show elevated levels of lead.<\/p>\n

“All parents want to keep their children safe and healthy,” said Mayor Tom Henry. “In our city, many families live in older houses that may have some of these hidden dangers, like lead-based paint. We need to help address this danger to help protect the children who live in or visit these homes.”<\/p>\n

A child is identified as “lead poisoned” by a physician or through community outreach efforts by Allen County Healthy Homes Program, which is co-sponsored by the St. Joseph Community Health Foundation and the Fort Wayne -Allen County Department of Health.<\/p>\n

“Children’s bodies take in lead more easily, and even a small amount of lead can cause irreversible brain damage and lead to behavior problems,” says Allen County Health Commissioner Dr. Deborah McMahan. “Unfortunately, a child who is lead poisoned may not look or feel sick. The only way to know for sure is to have the child tested.”<\/p>\n

When a child has been identified as being “lead poisoned,” their home is targeted for remediation. The remediation may consist of removing deteriorated segments of lead-based paint in a lead-safe manner, and repainting with lead-free paint. More severe cases may require more extensive remediation, such as replacing doors, windows or trim, or covering a contaminated surface with drywall and caulking it to ensure no dust escapes.<\/p>\n

When the lead hazard control interventions are finished, a clearance test must determine if the home’s clean up is now completed or if more work is needed before children can live there safely.<\/p>\n

Rick and Dawn Mault and their two toddlers now live in a home that has been cleared of its lead-paint hazards. Their twin boys were tested by their family doctor during a regular checkup and one of them was identified as lead poisoned. Experts say if someone suspects their home has lead hazards, there are a few things they can do to reduce their family’s risk:<\/p>\n