Assistance is available for qualifying families to control lead-based paint in their homes. The grant was awarded to the MRPC (Meramec Regional Planning Commission) from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for homes in Dent, Phelps, Crawford, Maries, Gasconade, Pulaski, Osage and Washington counties.
The program addresses helping people who are at risk for lead poisoning, such as children under six years old. At this age, major organs are still developing and lead-based paint is a danger, both physically and cognitively.
There is no safe level of lead, for children especially. Even low levels of lead in the blood of children can result in behavior and learning problems, lower IQ and decreased abilities to pay attention.
Young children typically get lead poisoning by putting their hands on objects that contain or are contaminated by lead dust and then putting their hands in their mouths.
All houses built before 1978 are likely to contain some lead-based paint. It is the chipping and peeling of paint over time that causes problems. Lead-based paint and lead contaminated dust are the most prevalent sources of lead poisoning for children in the United States.
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services recommends that children be tested for lead poisoning every two years.
The above-mentioned public health concerns are what lead to the $15,000 grant through HUD.
The process is simple. A certified lead risk assessor will test for lead paint hazards throughout a given home and identifies all areas that may be dangerous.
Both owner occupied and rental properties may be eligible; however, owners of a rental property will be responsible for 15% of the lead hazard control work completed on their property.
All children under the age of six who reside in a property suspected of lead contamination will be referred, at not cost, to a local county health department for blood lead level testing at no out of pocket cost to the family. In some cases, vacant properties may also be eligible.
Subsequently, for qualifying homes, the MRPC will hire a certified lead abatement contractor to repair lead hazards found in homes.
