Saturday, February 06, 1999
Lead-paint grants: Study, yes; clean up, no
HUD rejects city abatement plans
BY TIM BONFIELD
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Cincinnati will receive about $1.2 million in federal grants this year to study ways to reduce lead paint hazards, but the city will not receive more money for actually cleaning up homes.
Cincinnati's grants are among $56.3 million in lead-control spending to be shared by 46 programs in 16 states, announced Friday by Housing and Urban Development Secretary Andrew Cuomo.
For years, HUD has been spending $50 million to $60 million annually to reduce the health and developmental problems caused when young children suffer lead poisoning.
“There is no reason why children should still be poisoned by a mistake we made three decades ago,” Mr. Cuomo said.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 5 percent of all American children under 5 years old have elevated blood lead levels that can reduce IQ, stunt growth, damage hearing and cause behavior problems.
Among low-income children, however, the percentage with elevated lead levels rises to 16 percent. Among low-income African-American children, the rate climbs to 22 percent.
HUD rejected an application from Cincinnati's Department of Neighborhood Services for $2.7 million. The money would have continued a $6 million program (from a grant awarded in 1993) that is slated to end this year.
“We probably will apply again in the next funding round,” said Susan Utt, a spokeswoman for neighborhood services.
City health and neighborhood services officials have been working under the as sumption that federal money would run out in 1999. Later this year, city council is expected to debate using local funds to continue the abatement program.
Meanwhile, research money will continue to flow. The University of Cincinnati will receive $1.1 million for projects to test two lead-dust sampling methods, a post-cleanup testing method and risk factors for lead-control workers. Children's Hospital Medical Center will be given $102,578 for a database project that seeks to predict blood-lead levels in children who live in homes with lead-paint hazards.
Over-the-Rhine residents: What about us?
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Ex-school official's case baffles neighbors
Lead-paint grants: Study, yes; clean up, no
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