Quick Links
Lead Paint Testing Free
By Ellyn Moran Santiago
WESTERLY – Of the roughly 500 Westerly children screened for lead-paint poisoning last year, five tested positive.
In Charlestown , Hopkinton and Richmond none of the children tested showed lead levels in their blood.
Some experts say that the Westerly percentage, just three-tenths of a point lower than the state average, is not surprising. Eighty percent of the housing stock in town – and statewide, for that matter -- was built before 1978; the year use of lead-based paint in the home was banned. And that means there are still many, many houses, particularly ones with multiple families/apartments -- walls are covered in layers of lead-based paint.
Chipping, cracked, flaking paint, and the dust from lead paint during a renovation, all are potentially harmful to kids, especially when ingested or breathed in and cause, among other health issues, damage to the brain and nervous system, slowed growth and behavior and learning problems (the latter schools and by extension the greater community will have to deal with and pay for later.)
Lead poison is also dangerous for adults and causes high blood pressure, nerve disorders, memory and concentration problems and reproductive problems for men and women.
Most think this is common knowledge.
So why, advocates for child health area asking, are opportunities for free lead mitigation classes for landlords (and tenants), free of charge kid blood screening, no cost home inspections and other free classes and information not being accessed as often as they might be.
“We believe that once people know we can help, they’ll ask,” said Charles Marchand, case manager for the Westbay Community Action Lead Hazard Education and Outreach Program.
Funded by the $12 million in settlement money in the state case against paint manufacturer DuPont, the lead hazard program offers all of these services free of charge.
“The first part of our grant is about education and outreach. That’s what we’re doing here,” Marchand said recently when he and case manager Courtney McCourt visited Westerly. Frustrated by the lack of response locally for recent advertised free lead hazard mitigation classes, they have come back and hope the community, especially landlords of pre-’78 rental housing stock, to take advantage of the free class. The state’s Lead Hazard Mitigation Act requires that many of those people with rental property built before 1978 take the class.
The Healthy Kids Collaborative, a partnership with the state Attorney General and the state Children’s Health Forum is working with the Rhode Island Housing and Mortgage Corporation and CAPS around the state on the outreach and education project.
“We will come to your house and do a free lead assessment. We’ll come wherever you are. We’ll tailor any kind of program to fit needs, say like a PTO, for example, because we have to get the word out there. There should be no kids testing positive for lead. None,” said McCourt. “Hundreds and hundreds of kids were lead poisoned (last year). That cannot continue.”
One of the programs offered is a ‘Lead 101’ seminar tailored for childcare centers, parent groups, schools, neighborhood groups, contractors and realtors. It’s all free.
A free lead hazard mitigation class is scheduled for Saturday, June 14 at the Westerly Public Library from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The class offers information for property owners (and tenants) on how to control lead paint hazards in apartments and other rental units. Pre-registration is required. For more information on lead programs, the class or to register call (401) 732-4660, ext. 144. Or visit www.westbaycap.org. For more information on childhood lead poisoning and the state Health Department report, visit www.healthri.gov/lead.
The Westerly Sun, June 2, 2008