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IKE Establishes Lead-Safe Homes Fund

Too many children in Indianapolis are at risk of lead poisoning from the one place they should be safest—their own home. 

Improving Kids’ Environment has established a Lead-Safe Homes Fund to help low-income homeowners participate in Marion County Health Department’s Lead Hazard Control program to clean up lead contamination in their homes.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has declared childhood lead poisoning the No. 1 preventable childhood disease in the United States.  In Marion County in 2006, 1.4 percent of the children who were screened had an unacceptably high level of lead in their blood—40 percent higher than the national average. 

Even at very low levels, studies show an elevated blood lead level can permanently impair a child’s brain, causing behavior problems that can include antisocial and criminal behavior in later life.  New research indicates that children can lose IQ points at very low levels of lead in blood.  The effects of lead poisoning on a young child’s brain cannot be reversed, and will impact him or her throughout childhood and adult life.

The population most at risk of lead poisoning is low-income and minority children younger than 7, especially at ages 1 and 2. During the baby and toddler years, neurological systems are highly sensitive to neurotoxins such as lead. Typical behaviors at this age, such as hand-to-mouth activity and lots of time spent on the floor, increase their exposure to lead dust and chips.

Deteriorating lead-based paint and dust are the primary sources of exposure to lead.  Lead-based paint was banned for residential use in 1978; the older the house, the more likely it is to contain lead-based paint.  In Marion County, 43 percent of homes were built before 1960 and are very likely to contain lead hazards.  Most of these homes are located in low-income communities.  Often, a few relatively simple steps or repairs can be taken to reduce or eliminate lead hazards in these homes, such as repainting, window replacement, and other methods to remove or encapsulate lead paint. 

To the extent funds are available, IKE will provide the financial resources necessary for low-income home owners in Marion County to qualify for federal assistance to fix lead hazards in their homes.  Under a federal grant, the Marion County Health Department will fund 75 percent of the cost of lead remediation for qualifying low-income home owners.  For low-income homeowners who qualify, IKE’s fund will help pay for the required $2,000 match.

Each $2,000 we raise will leverage an additional $6,000 in federal funds for lead remediation work.  Help us today by clicking on the “Donate” button and designating your donation for IKE’s Lead-Safe Homes Fund.