Dwindling federal funds for lead paint abatement are putting local communities in a bind. The city of Springfield's funding is set to be depleted next year and Dayton's program has already run out of cash.
"Funds are tightening up and requirements are getting a little bit more restrictive," said Ed Leinasars, Springfield Lead Safe program manager.
The problem is at its worst in older neighborhoods where homes were built prior to 1950 and have lead paint on doors, windows and siding. The federal government made lead paint illegal in 1977 but the health threat from it continues. Dr. Maria T. Nanagas, Director of the Lead Poisoning Clinic at Dayton Children's Hospital, said in higher concentrations lead can be fatal if it is ingested into the blood, lungs or through the skin. Nanagas said children are the main concern with lead because exposure causes brain damage and other serious medical problems, especially in children age six and younger.
"The way to protect children is to prevent lead from getting into their bodies in the first place," Nanagas said.
One of Dr. Nanagas' patients at Children's Hospital is six-year-old Keng Martin of Dayton. His grandmother, Jerri Hollis, said Keng was becoming lethargic for no apparent reason, starting about three years ago.
"He would get really, really tired," Hollis said.
Then a screening at Keng's day care turned up the problem, lead poisoning. Hollis had her 100-year-old house tested for lead paint and then had it dealt with. Abatement can range from complete removal to covering the area so that flaking or chalking paint no longer sends lead dust particles into the air. Keng's lead levels are greatly reduced and he is feeling much better.
"He's fortunate. We caught it early and now it is almost gone. But how many kids really do have lead that we don't know about?" Hollis said.
The Ohio Department of Health has created an interactive map showing the communities in each county with the highest concentration levels of lead.
