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Indiana Lead-Safe & Healthy Homes Newsletter
March 2007 Edition
Improving Kids’ Environment (IKE) and the Indiana Lead-Safe Task Force publish this newsletter
several times a year 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.
SPECIAL NOTICE!!!!
The 2007 Indiana Summit on Children’s Health and the Environment (the first
ever!) will be held on Friday, April 13 on the IUPUI campus in Indianapolis.
Hosted by IKE, the IU Center for Environmental Health, the Hoosier
Environmental Council, and the IUPUI School of Public and Environmental
Affairs, this event will focus on three issues related to children’s health that
will be of interest to you:
· Environmental threats in the home
· Fine particulate air pollution
· Endocrine disruptors
Registration is free, and lunch and parking will be provided. Information and
registration information are available at http://www.ikecoalition.org/Environmental_Summit_2007.htm. The deadline
to register is March 23—don’t miss this opportunity to learn from national
experts and engage in constructive discussion about how Indiana can
improve the health of its children by addressing these environmental threats.
On the National Scene
COMMENTS DUE TO CPSC ON MARCH 12!!
Consumer Product Safety Commission Seeks Comment on Proposal to Ban
Lead in Toy Jewelry
Please consider sending a comment letter to the CPSC urging them to move ahead with a
rule to ban lead in toy jewelry. CPSC’s January 9, 2007 notice can be found at
www.regulation.gov. The National Center for Healthy Housing has drafted comments, which
are available at www.ikecoalition.org/Lead/CPSC_Comments_Signed_2-9-07.pdf.
Comments should be submitted to CPSC's Office of the Secretary at tstevenson@cpsc.gov.
In January and February, the Consumer Product Safety Commission issued recalls for
the following products due to lead hazards:
· Boy’s Outerwear Jackets (Samara Brothers)—lead on snap closures;
· Children’s “Ultra Gear” Bracelets (DM Merchandising);
· Children’s “Rachael Rose Kidz” Rings (Shalom International);
· Children's "Kidsite" Necklace and Earring Sets (Crimzon Rose Accessories);
· "Claudia Jublot" Children's Rings (Lari Jewelry Co.);
· Children’s Butterfly Necklaces (US Toy Co. Inc.); and
· Starting Out Shirt and Overall Sets (Samara Brothers).
Link to information about CPSC’s product recalls here.
Back Home in Indiana
New Deputy at ISDH Announces Agency’s Strategic Priorities for Lead in 2007,
Including Development of Comprehensive State Lead Legislation!
At the Lead Elimination Advisory Committee meeting on February 15, new Deputy
Commissioner Mary Hill announced Commissioner Dr. Monroe’s 2007 strategic priorities for the
State Department of Health. Included in the ISDH priorities is the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program Priority to develop legislation to address lead-safe housing!! ICLPPP’s priorities for 2007 include:
GOAL 1: Primary Prevention
· Development of legislation to address lead-safe housing, considering
o Requirement that all rental units built before 1978 be inspected for lead
hazards
o Requirement that all lead hazards be remediated
o Creation of statewide registry of rental units identifying their status with
respect to lead hazards
o Protection of tenants from retaliation for reporting lead hazards
· Increase resources for remediating lead hazards by assisting local agencies to apply
For HUD remediation grants
· Reduce the number of children being poisoned through renovation/remodeling projects by increasing the awareness of lead-safe work practices
GOAL 2: Secondary Prevention
· Increase lead testing of high risk Hoosier children
· Increase the number of children that receive case management and environmental investigation services
IKE applauds Dr. Monroe and the ISDH for these priorities, especially plans for comprehensive lead legislation—Indiana will only reach its goal of lead poisoning elimination with this type of proactive approach. You can see the full text of ISDH’s 2007 priorities here or at www.ikecoalition.org/Lead/2007%20ICLPPP%20Priorities.pdf.
New Risk Assessment Forms and Database Available for Beta Testing March 1
If you are a licensed lead risk assessor or inspector, ISDH and the Lead Safe Task Force would like YOU to try out the new forms and database. The latest drafts of the forms and screen shots of the web application are available for your comment by contacting Tom Reel (treel@isdh.in.gov) or Jeff Turner (jturner@isdh.in.gov) at the ICLPPP.
ISDH Case Management Rules In Effect; Agency to Provide Training and FAQ
Local Health Departments have started sending questions to ISDH about the new case management rules that went into effect on February 1. ISDH has said it will compile these questions (along with answers!) in a living document that will be available on the ISDH website. The agency is also planning training sessions on the new rule beginning in April 2007. ISDH will send notices in March for trainings which will be held centrally in Indianapolis in April. ISDH will then take the trainings across the state starting in May and throughout the summer.
Document to Help Local Government with Health and Housing Code Enforcement and Out for Comment.
At the recent EPAC meeting, ISDH provided a draft document intended to assist local governments interested in strengthening their local ordinances or enforcement programs for primary prevention of childhood lead poisoning. The document was prepared by Janet McCabe of IKE at ISDH’s request, and contains a variety of options for code provisions, primarily drawn from provisions in other states and cities. ISDH welcomes comment on the draft, which you can download here. Please provide feedback to Janet (mccabe@ikecoalition.org) and Maria Larson (mlarson@isdh.in.gov) by March 15. Once ISDH has reviewed the comments, the Model Code will be distributed to local governments and be available to anyone else who is interested.
Indiana Medicaid Office Implements Changes to Improve Lead Screening Rates
The Office of Medicaid has implemented several changes in recent months to help improve lead screening rates. These include:
· Adding questions on lead to standard health screening calls;
· Adding information on lead to the office’s “on-hold” phone message (nobody wants to be put on hold, but it’s a “teachable moment”)
· Producing a monthly “report card” on the Managed Care Organizations reflecting how well they are doing. The first report is available on the Office of Medicaid Policy and Planning website at http://www.in.gov/fssa/maternal/hoosier_healthwise/reportcard2004.html.
· Encouraging the use of filter paper test by Medicaid providers.
· Providing lead-specific sessions at annual and quarterly training sessions of Managed Care Organizations and Medicaid Providers.
Indiana Black Expo Gears Up for Major Outreach Effort—Many Partners Helping
The Indiana Black Expo has received a $350,000 HUD grant to implement “Getting the Lead Out,” a comprehensive Lead Outreach and Media Campaign in 8 Indiana cities over the next two years. IBE has great experience reaching the minority community with education on health issues. I feel as though I have died and gone to Outreach Heaven! The first year will focus on Indianapolis, Gary, South Bend and Ft. Wayne. In the second year, IBE will focus efforts on Evansville, East Chicago, Anderson and Elkhart. IKE will be helping with efforts to educate local paint retailers and contractors (Secret Shopper coming to a store near you!), and there are many other partners who will help IBE carry out this ambitious effort. If you want to know more about what the IBE campaign will be doing in your community, or want to help, contact the IBE project manager Kara Endsley (kendsley@indianablackexpo.com) or visit the IBE website at www.indianablackexpo.com/programs/leado.html.
EPA Proposes Cleanup Plan for Jacobsville Neighborhood Soil Contamination in Evansville
EPA has put out its proposed plan for a cleanup plan for the Jacobsville Neighborhood Soil Contamination Superfund Site in Evansville. This neighborhood is contaminated with both lead and arsenic due to a concentration of now closed industrial sites. The area EPA has designated as the cleanup area includes 508 homes. EPA is proposing to remove the contaminated soil, replace with clean soil and restore the neighborhood yards as much as possible. EPA also considered an alternative that would treat the soil in place, but prefers removal as a more reliable long term solution. IKE agrees, but great care must be taken to protect the residents of the neighborhood while soil is being removed.
South Bend Secret Shopper
The St. Joseph County Health Department carried out a Secret Shopper program at the end of 2006 and found, as IKE has found, that most stores are giving poor and dangerous advice about how to deal with lead-based paint without creating a hazardous situation. For more information, contact Becky Waechter at rwaechte@co.st-joseph.in.us.
Marion County Health Department Tries New Approach to Keep Housing Healthy
In an effort to make property owners more responsible for maintaining/managing lead hazards at their properties, the Marion County Health Department has started a new initiative with properties that are brought to court. Starting March 1, 2007, all court cases that involve lead will result with a permanent injunction being filed stating that the property owner is responsible for obtaining a risk assessment once a year and providing the health department with the results of that inspection/assessment within 30 days after completion. The permanent injunction goes on to state that if the health department determines that a child is poisoned after the property is released from court, the property must be abated of all lead.
Northwest Indiana Group Speaks Out About Outdoor Wood Boilers
Outdoor wood-fired boilers, which have been increasing in popularity in places where wood is plentiful, can make unhappy neighbors. Indianapolis and Evansville have recently adopted bans on new boilers in their jurisdictions. In February, Save the Dunes Council presented a resolution to the Northwest Indiana Regional Planning Commission urging that group to address the problem of both existing and new boilers in northwest Indiana communities. More details at http://www.savedunes.org/news/index.php?uid=c5ee528aa591. The Porter County Council is hearing about the issue as well: resident Jim Donnelly made a presentation to that group on [date]. NIRPC is considering developing a model rule to help local communities interested in addressing this public health and quality of life issue. For more information, contact Conni Clay at cclay@savedunes.org or 219-879-3937.
Maria Larson to Retire! Maria Larson, a true champion of children’s health who has headed the ISDH Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program after a number of years in the Weatherization Program, is turning in her State ID in May. Maria has pushed us all to do more and want more done. Her background in housing has helped direct the ISDH program towards inspection and remediation of housing as a key element in the lead elimination program. We will truly miss her and wish her all the best in her retirement!
Pat Daniel, who has been the Community Environmental Health staff person in IDEM’s Office of Pollution Prevention and Technical Assistance, has moved over to the Office of Air Quality. John Griffy, whom many of you know from his work in the Air program (and specifically Lead and Asbestos programs), has been promoted to the position that oversees IDEM’s certification programs for Lead and Asbestos training providers. John can be reached at jgriffy@idem.in.gov or 317-234-3493.
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 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 usually coordinate the meetings with Indiana EPAC’s Housing Subcommittee meetings.
· March 22 – 9:30 to 12:00
· May 17 – 9:30 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.
· Thursday, June 14, 2007 at 10:00 to 12:00 at 151 N. Delaware, Indianapolis
· Thursday, October 18, 2007 at 10:00 to 12:00 at 151 N. Delaware, Indianapolis
· Free EPA & HUD-Approved Lead Safe Work Practices Course. Contact Masimax at leadsafetraininginfo@masimax.com or go on-line at www.leadsafetraining.org
o Elkhart, IN on 3/14
o Terre Haute, IN on 4/10
o Cleveland, OH on 4/19
o Gary, IN on 5/22
· Accredited Lead Training at the Environmental Management Institute in Indy. Contact EMI at 800-488-8842 or www.envtlmgmt.org.
o Lead Inspector / Risk Assessor Refresher – May 22-23
o Lead Abatement Supervisor Refresher – April 18
o Mold Awareness – March 23
o Mold Remediation – April 16 – 18
· National Center for Healthy Housing. The Center offers two training classes: Building Healthy Homes and Essentials for Healthy Homes Practitioners. Information about upcoming sessions is at http://www.healthyhomestraining.org/upcoming.htm.
Indiana General Assembly
Dates and times of legislative committees are posted at http://www.in.gov/legislative/session/calendars.html. Be advised, though, that schedules are subject to change at the last minute and may not always be posted.
Conferences
o 2007 Indiana Summit on Children’s Health and the Environment. April 13 at IUPUI. Register at http://www.ikecoalition.org/Environmental_Summit_2007.htm
o 2007 Indoor Environmental Health and Technologies Conference & Lead and Healthy Homes Grantees Conference. This is a conference sponsored by the Lead and Environmental Hazards Association and the National Association of Lead and Healthy Homes Grantees. The third annual conference will be held on April 24-27, 2007 at the Doubletree Hotel in Orlando, Florida
o 2007 Indiana Lead Safe and Healthy Homes Conference. A distant dream: October 29-30 in Indianapolis.
Please support IKE!!
IKE has been fortunate in the past to receive funds from government agencies, foundations and other donors to support its work, but has also relied on thousands of hours of donated time. IKE is working hard to establish a more firm and stable funding base, and we need to ask for financial support from those who believe in what we do. Please consider making a tax deductible donation, either through www.Justgive.com (click on button on IKE homepage) or by sending a contribution directly to IKE, 1201 N. Central Ave, #9, Indianapolis, IN 46202.
Thanks for improving kids' environment! If you have any questions or comments about this newsletter, IKE, or the Indiana Lead Safe and Healthy Homes 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.