MDCH has $850,000 to remove lead paint hazards

The Michigan Department of Community Health recently announced $850,000 in funding for lead-based paint hazard control, through the Michigan Lead Safe Home Program, available to families to assist in testing and remediating lead risks within homes. Since its inception in 1997, the Michigan Lead Safe Home Program has made more than 1,900 homes lead safe and has prevented thousands of children from being lead poisoned.

Childhood lead poisoning is the most common yet preventable pediatric health problem in the United States, and these funds will go a long way toward ensuring that more Michigan children have safe, lead-free homes, said James K. Haveman, director of the MDCH.

The presence of lead in decaying paint and dust is the number one source of lead poisoning in children. In total, 90 percent of all elevated blood lead levels result from lead paint dust and surrounding soil in homes built prior to 1978. Elevated blood lead levels cause irreversible brain damage in children including reduced cognitive ability, neurological damage, endocrine system disruption, growth rate reduction, aggressive behavior and hearing impairment.

An estimated 6,786 children under age 6 across Michigan currently have lead levels above the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention action level.

The MDCH Lead Safe Home Program provides lead testing of homes and lead hazard control services through the use of a lead-certified contractor. Common work on homes includes window and door replacement, vinyl siding, painting, soil work and special cleaning. A family or property owner may be eligible for assistance if they meet the following criteria: a child under 6 years old or pregnant female resides in the home; the occupying family is low or moderate income; the home was built before 1978; and the home is located in the county of Bay, Calhoun, Hillsdale, Ingham, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Macomb, Oakland or the city of Detroit, or elsewhere if the child has an elevated blood lead level (five or above). Other certain criteria may apply, as well.

For homeowners or landlords interested in learning more about making their homes lead safe, or for more information about the Michigan Lead Safe Home Program, call (866) 691-5323 or visit http://www.michigan.gov/leadsafe for an application.

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MDCH has $850,000 to remove lead paint hazards