Indiana Lead-Safe & Healthy Homes Newsletter

December 2005 Edition

Version in pdf

Improving Kids’ Environment (IKE) and the Indiana Lead-Safe Task Force publish this newsletter

every two or three months at no charge for anyone interested in issues and  events involving lead

poisoning prevention and healthy homes in Indiana.   Distribution is by email or fax – preferably by

e-mail.   Contact the editor, Janet G. McCabe, at mccabe@ikecoalition.org or 317-902-3610 if you

want to contribute articles, edit the draft newsletter, contribute an article, or want to get on or off

the distribution list.  All editions are available on IKE’s web page at

http://www.ikecoalition.org/publications.htm.

2005 Lead Safe and Healthy Homes Conference Provides Opportunity

for Learning and Networking

189 attended this year’s Lead Safe and Healthy Homes Conference at the Marten House

in Indianapolis.  With plenary speeches by Commissioner Judith Monroe, MD, of the Indiana

State Department of Health, ISDH Assistant Commissioner Loren Robertson, Paula Staley

of CDC and Senator Beverly Gard of the Indiana General Assembly and breakout sessions

by a host of experienced speakers, attendees had many opportunities to learn about ongoing

and upcoming activities and, importantly, be energized by spending two days with colleagues

similarly committed to reducing childhood lead poisoning and other environmental threats. 

We are currently compiling the results of the evaluations and will post them soon, but copies

of most of the presentations are posted to this website. Thanks to our sponsors, exhibitors,

and the many, many people who helped make this year’s Conference a success!

In order to avoid Halloween and Election Day, next year’s conference will be held on

October 24 and 25, again at the Marten house.  Save the dates now!!  It’s never too early to

send suggestions for the conference, including topics for breakout sessions or speakers. 

Send any suggestions to mccabe@ikecoalition.org.

EPAC Accepts Recommendations of Housing and Environmental

Subcommittees with few changes; ISDH and IDEM Respond

In July 2005, the Housing and Environmental Subcommittees made a number of

recommendations to EPAC for steps that would further Indiana’s efforts to eliminate childhood

lead poisoning by 2010.  Both ISDH and IDEM responded to the recommendations, and the

EPAC discussed each one at its September 15 EPAC meeting.  EPAC accepted all the

recommendations, with a few changes.  Most notably, EPAC supported the following actions:

·                              The agencies and other stakeholders should work together on a model

                Risk Assessment template, to reduce the types of quality errors

                discovered by IDEM in its review and to ensure that all information needed

                by state and federal agencies is provided in an easy format; 

·                              Copies of all risk assessments funded with public funds (the vast majority)

                should be provided to ISDH  and the agencies should develop a plan to

                ensure submittal of all risk assessments in the future;

·                              IDEM should consider its approach to identifying and dealing with risk

                assessors who do not comply with the regulations and include

                enforcement options as well as education.

·                              ISDH should on a regular basis evaluate the progress being made toward

                the 2010 elimination goal and provide the results of that information to

                EPAC.  EPAC retained language about consideration of whether other

                “measures, including proactively requiring wider testing and remediation

                of lead hazards,” should be considered, although it dropped the specific

                reference to the potential need for additional legislative authority.

Lead-Safe Indiana Task Force – Recent Activities and Next Meeting

The Lead Safe Task Force met on December 6 to review this year’s conference and to discuss

next steps.   One issue discussed was whether the Task Force should expand its mission

beyond lead issues to include other healthy homes issues, as other groups have done.  What is your view on this?  Let Janet McCabe know at mccabe@ikecoalition.org. 

Following the EPAC recommendation mentioned above, a group of Task Force members is developing a model form for Risk Assessors to use and spent several hours working to refine a draft form.  With the help of the best parts of forms that have already been developed by public and private agencies, the goal is to provide a template Risk Assessors can use that will provide uniformity, assure that critical information is included, and provide essential information to state and federal agencies—ultimately in a way that can be easily downloaded into a database.  The group includes representatives from local Health Departments, IDEM, ISDH and the private sector.  Participation is welcomed—contact Dave McCormick of the Marion County Health Department at dmccormi@hhcorp.org, Joan Ketterman of the Environmental Management Institute at Joan.Ketterman@envtlmgmt.org  or Wayne Syvinski of the Indiana State Department of Health at Wsyvinsk@isdh.state.in.us.

Please join us for the next Task Force meeting and an EPAC Housing and Environmental Subcommittee meeting on March 7, 2006 at the Environmental Management Institute on Indy’s Westside. – 5610 Crawfordsville Road, Suite 15. The Task Force will meet from 10:00 to 12:00.  The EPAC Housing Subcommittee will meet from 12:30 to 2:30.  We will order pizza for those who want to participate in both meetings.  The meetings are open to all. 

EPA Issues Draft Renovation and Remodeling Rule; Groups File Lawsuit

On December 28, 2005, USEPA issued proposed rules to address lead hazards caused by renovation and remodeling activities—rules that were required by law in 1996.  USEPA announced its intent to move forward with rulemaking after several national and local groups, including IKE, filed a Notice of Intent to Sue the agency for failure to adopt the required rules.  By law, this rule goes beyond abatement, federally funded projects, and target housing to reach all renovation and remodeling activities that could threaten children in housing, public buildings and commercial buildings.  On December 20, the groups filed their lawsuit.  This will help keep the pressure on EPA to move the rulemaking forward.  Information about the proposed rule is available at http://www.epa.gov/oppt/lead/pubs/renovation.htm.  Comments will be due 90 days from publication in the Federal Register, likely to be in early January.  Some highlights of the proposal are that renovators would be required to be trained and certified, similar to the current licensing requirements for abatement contractors and that the requirements would not apply to work done in owner occupied units where no child under 7 currently resides (potentially creating problems for future residents).

EPA is also planning to revise its requirements for the National Lead Laboratory Accreditation Program (NLLAP) at any time, probably in connection with the Renovation and Remodeling Rule.

OSHA asked for comments as to whether it should revise its Lead in Construction Rule.  This rule was adopted in the early 90s without an opportunity for public input.  Most of the comments called for revision. 

 ISDH and FSSA Sign MOU for Local Health Department Reimbursement

On July 21, ISDH Commissioner and Medicaid Medical Director Dr. Judy Monroe announced that ISDH and FSSA had entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to provide reimbursement to local health departments for their case management and environmental investigations of lead poisoned children covered by Hoosier Healthwise.   Hoosier Healthwise is Indiana’s Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).   

Marion County Health Department Receives $2.9 Million Grant from HUD to Clean Up Rental Housing 

Only one of Indiana’s local agencies submitting applications for HUD’s Lead Hazard and Demonstration Grant Awards was successful this year, despite very worthy applications.  We are very pleased, though, with the Marion County Health Department’s receipt of $2.9 million that will be used to clean up more than 800 units of rental housing.  MCHD secured a $3.75 million match primarily from contributions of landlords.  The next round of grants, with approximately $125 million available (hopefully more), will be due in spring 2006.  Dave McCormick of MCHD reports that henceforth HUD will require full lead paint inspections, not just risk assessments, of any units proposed for cleanup using grant funds.

Congress Passes 2006 Budget for HUD

On November 19, Congress passed the appropriations bill containing the FY06 budget for HUD and its Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control.  In addition to the $125 million for Lead Hazard Control Grants and Demonstration Grants mentioned above, the budget includes $9.5 million for healthy homes grants, $8.8 million for Operation LEAP, and $8.8 million for technical assistance.  The total budget of $152 million is $15 million less than last year’s budget.

Marion County Health Department Adds Spanish Text to Housing Orders

MCHD has taken a simple but important step to improve Marion County’s Spanish speaking tenants’ ability to understand housing code enforcement orders.  The addition of a simple text box on the front page of the order briefly explains what the document is and who to call for a translation.  Thanks to Dana Reed Wise and Dave McCormick--one more positive step to protect kids at risk!

ISDH Rules – Where Do They Stand? 

ISDH is working hard on draft rules to respond to the mandates of SEA-538, which addresses blood lead test reporting and case management for lead poisoned children. A draft should be submitted to the ISDH Executive Committee in early 2006.  The ISDH Executive Committee sets the rules implemented by the ISDH for Indiana.

Elkhart County Creates Lead Task Force

The Elkhart County Health Department will be forming an Elkhart County Lead Task Force for strategic planning to eliminate lead poisoning as a childhood preventable disease, as part of the nationwide Healthy Homes 2010 program.  The Task Force will work to identify lead hazards in the community through blood lead screening, environmental risk assessment, information on rehabilitation of lead poisoned homes and education.  This will take collaboration and financial support from but not limited to our local community agencies, retailers, local housing authorities, governmental agencies, medical providers and private individuals.  During National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week in October, the Elkhart County Health Department conducted free lead screenings and Lead Walkabouts in neighborhoods to do lead swab testing in high risk homes.  31 staff members from the Health Department participated.  414 addresses were visited and 48 of these homes were tested for lead, 16 children were screened & approximately 100 families educated on lead poisoning.  All supplies were donated by local merchants including the lead t-shirts that said:  “Get the Lead Out”. Contact Linda Plummer for more information (lplummer@elkhartcountyhealth.org).

New Resource for Healthy Homes

The National Healthy Homes Training Center and Network is funded by a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to develop the infrastructure and resources to help states, cities, and community-based organizations effectively identify and address housing-related hazards.  The Training Center will help build capacity and competency among health, environmental and housing practitioners and promote cross-disciplinary activities. One of the first steps in meeting this goal was the development of a two-day training program. For further information contact Bill Menrath at bill.menrath@uc.edu or go to www.healthyhousing.org or for details on the training courses go to www.healthyhomestraining.org

FDA Issues Proposed Guidance on Lead in Candy

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has published a draft guidance for candy manufacturers regarding lead in candy, powdered snack mix products, and candy wrappers. The guidance covers recommended maximum lead content and a discussion of the agency's enforcement policy.  FDA is asking for written or electronic comments and suggestions on the guidance by March 13, 2006.  The proposed guidance is available at www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/pbguid2.html.

Changing Faces

·         ISDH brings on lead epidemiologist and lead educator.  Dr. Anil Mangla has joined the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program at ISDH as epidemiologist.  He is also an adjunct professor at the IU Medical School in the Department of Public Health where his focus is on international health crises in developing countries.  Dr. Mangla has a distinguished resume with respect to HIV/AIDS and has hit the ground running in Indiana.  He can be reached at amangla@isdh.in.gov or (317) 234-2273.  ISDH also welcomes Del Anderson to help with lead poisoning prevention education. 

·         HUD’s Tara Jordan returns to Enforcement Division.  Tara Jordan has returned to her previous position in the Enforcement Division at HUD.  She is the person to contact for information on cases that have been referred to HUD for enforcement, and encourages local health departments both to refer violations of the disclosure rule and to let her know about known landlords with problem properties.  Tara can be reached at tara_l._jordan@hud.gov or 202-755-1785, ext. 151.

·         Indianapolis HUD office welcomes Lawrence Jones to lead role.  Lawrence Jones has replaced Mary Ellen Burke at HUD as the Public Housing Specialist responsible for lead programs.  Lawrence can be reached at (317) 226-6303, ext. 6023.

·         Marion County Health Department appoints Dana Reed Wise to head the Bureau of Environmental Health.  Dana has been active for many years in Indiana’s environmental issues in several positions at the Indiana Department of Environmental Management.  She has recently joined MCHD as the Bureau Chief of Environmental Health, and is overseeing the Childhood Lead Prevention Program as well as other public health programs.  You can reach her at dwise@hhcorp.org or (317) 221-2290.

·         IHFA gets new name.  IHFA is now known as the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCD).  As of now, the website address remains http://www.in.gov/ihfa/.

·         Change of mailing address for IKE.  IKE’s new mailing address for snail mail is 1201 N. Central Avenue, #9, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202.

Mark Your Calendars

§         Lead-Safe Indiana Task Force Meeting in Indy.  All are welcome to attend these meetings to discuss lead poisoning and healthy homes issues across Indiana.  It is a great networking and planning opportunity.  Contact Janet G. McCabe at mccabe@ikecoalition.org or at 317-902-3610 for details.  All meetings will be at the Environmental Management Institute, 5610 Crawfordsville Road, Suite 15.  We will try to coordinate the meetings with Indiana EPAC’s Housing Subcommittee meetings.

o        March 7 – 10:00 to 12:00

o        June 6 – 10:00 to 12:00

o        September 12 – 10:00 to 12:00

o        December 5 – 10:00 to 12:00

§         Indiana Lead Elimination Plan Advisory Committee (EPAC) in Indy.  The committee is charged with advising ISDH on the state’s implementation of the state lead elimination plan.  The meetings are open to the public.  The 2006 meetings are as follows, all at HUD’s Offices at 151 N. Delaware St., Suite 1200, unless otherwise noted in future newsletters.

o        Thursday, February 16 – 10:00 to 12:00

o        Thursday, June 15 – 10:00 to 12:00

o        Thursday, October 19 – 10:00 to 12:00

§         Training

o        Free EPA & HUD-Approved Lead Safe Work Practices Course.  Contact Masimax at leadsafetraininginfo@masimax.com or go on-line at www.leadsafetraining.org 

§         Detroit on January 13

§         St. Louis on February 17, contact Trina Schaefer at 812-429-1395

o        Accredited Lead Training at the Environmental Management Institute in Indy.  Contact EMI at 800-488-8842 or www.envtlmgmt.org.

§         Mold Remediation –  February 1 to 3

§         Lead Abatement Supervisor Initial – January 17 to 20

§         Lead Inspector / Risk Assessor Initial – February 6 to 10

§         Mold Awareness – January 27

§         Lead Inspector / Risk Assessor Refresher – April 17 & 18

§         Lead Abatement Supervisor Refresher – April 19

§         Conferences

*     2006 Indiana Lead Safe and Healthy Homes Conference—October 24 and 25;  Indianapolis

Thanks for improving kids' environment!  If you have any questions or comments about this newsletter, IKE, or the Indiana Lead-Safe Task Force, contact Janet G. McCabe at mccabe@ikecoalition.org, 317-902-3610 or 1201 N. Central Ave, #9, Indianapolis, IN  46202.  If you need more information on national events, check out the Alliance Alert Newsletter at www.afhh.org and click on newsletter.

IKE publishes a newsletter on a regular basis that describes IKE’s efforts beyond healthy homes and lead hazard control.  Contact Janet G. McCabe at mccabe@ikecoalition.org if you want to subscribe to either of those newsletters.