The West Ohio Community Action Partnership (WOCAP) is once again working to help families prevent lead poisoning from happening to them. As part of their Lead Safe Program, they can provide services to homeowners or renters to get rid of lead in their homes. It's financed through a federal grant from the Ohio Department of Health. Lead comes from a variety of sources, but a big one is paint found in homes built before 1978. If you feel you may have lead-based paint in your home, contact WOCAP to start the process.
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The City of Lima is finishing up phase one and heading into phase two of its lead service line replacement program. Letters are being mailed to water customers that may have lead water service pipes. The EPA requires that those pipes be replaced. The city has received grant money to replace those lines free of charge to the residents. Phase one had 500 hundred letters sent out with 200 lines being replaced. There will be several phases with letters being sent out as the city has around 25,000 water customers. Not all of them have lead pipes and the department is trying to find out who still has them.
March 27, 2024 Press Release from Allen County Public Health: Childhood lead poisoning is considered the most preventable environmental disease among young children, yet thousands of children get lead poisoning each year across the United States.
Pediatricians say when a child is actively being exposed to lead, they may not show any symptoms or they might be vague. For example, trouble sleeping, behavior problems, and feeling tired. But as time goes on, the long-term effects tend to become more noticeable. Doctors say a child may have GI issues, decreased academic performance and IQ, and in severe cases – seizures and even death.
Allen County is one of four counties in the state of Ohio that has been identified with elevated lead levels according to the Ohio Department of Health. The number of older homes in the region could partially to blame. Public Health Consultant Lisa Salyers from the Ohio Department of Health speaking to members of the Family and Children First Council today.