Indiana Lead-Safe & Healthy Homes Newsletter

October 2003 Edition

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.  We try to keep the newsletter to five pages.  Contact the editor, Tom Neltner, at mccabe@ikecoalition.org or 317-442-3973 if you want to contribute articles, edit the draft newsletter, have an article to contribute, 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.  Apologies for the length of this edition, it has been an active 80 days.  

Version in Word

Mark Your Calendars

• October 28 & 29 – Indy.  Lead Worker Initial course at EMI.  Contact Joan Ketterman at 800-488-8842.

• October 30 - Indy. ISDH's Lead Elimination Plan Advisory Council at Indiana Government Center South - Room A from 10:00 to noon.  Contact Wendy Clingaman at Wclingam@isdh.state.in.us for agenda and more information.

• November 17 to 21 – Indy.  Lead Inspector and Risk Assessor Initial courses at EMI.  Contact EMI at 800-488-8842.

• December 9 and 10 – Indy.  Lead Inspector and Risk Assessor Refresher courses at EMI.  Contact EMI at 800-488-8842.

• December 11 – Indy.  ISDH Advisory Task Force and the Lead-Safe Indiana Task Force will meet at the EMI, 5610 Crawfordsville Road, Suite 15.

It’s Official

Indiana’s revisions to its lead-based paint activities rule went into effect on October 10, 2003.  The rule will be published in the November 1, 2003 Indiana Register.  IKE has it on-line at www.ikecoalition.org/documents/LBP_Rule_Final_9-03.doc

On November 1, you can get the complete revised rules go www.in.gov/legislative/iac/title326.html and click on Article 23.  It is available in PDF (0.35 MB) and Word Perfect. 

To see the changes from new to old, go to the November 1 Indiana Register at www.state.in.us/legislative/register/index-27.html.

Thanks to IDEM for a great job on the rule, especially David White, Vicki Schoen, and Suzanne Whitmer.  For a summary of the key provisions and changes of the rule, check out the June 2003 edition of this newsletter.

2003 Indiana Lead-Safe and Healthy Homes Conference

216 healthy homes advocates attended the conference on October 15 & 16, 2003.  They represented 119 different organizations from across Indiana and beyond.  Thanks to all who took time out of their busy schedule to learn about lead poisoning prevention and healthy homes as well as network with peers.

Based on the emails, the evaluation forms, and the constructive discussions, the conference was a great success.  Special thanks to our sponsors listed below.  Their contribution made it possible for 43 people to attend the conference!

We have posted some useful information on the web at www.ikecoalition.org/Lead_2003_Conf/Recap_2003.htm.  It includes:

• Index to the Binder (250 pages of great references thanks to January Jones!)

• 14 PowerPoint Presentations including Rebecca Morley’s Keynote Speech, Dr. McMahan’s Prevention Speech, and Dave McCormick’s recap of Day 1.

  Lead-Safe &  Healthy Homes Sponsors   ·   Indiana Housing Finance Authority ·   Indiana Family and Social Services Administration ·   Marion County Health Department ·   Environmental Management Institute ·   Improving Kids’ Environment ·   Indiana Department of Environmental Management ·   Indiana State Department of Health ·   U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development ·   Greentree Environmental Services ·   HealthVisions Midwest ·   IKON Office Systems

Four Pamphlets Available to Explain Lead Poisoning Prevention in Indiana

Thanks to Wayne County Health Department, Indiana Department of Environmental Management and EPA, Improving Kids' Environment developed four pamphlets.  These pamphlets are designed to provide the core information to Hoosier citizens and firms to help them prevent lead poisoning and comply with state and federal laws regarding lead-based paint activities. 

The four pamphlets are available at www.ikecoalition.org/Lead/IN_Pamphlets.htm. 

• Reducing Lead Hazards During Maintenance, Renovation and Abatement:  This pamphlet is designed for contractors to help them determine what they can and cannot do when disturbing lead-based paint.  It identifies the different categories of contractors and what work they can do.  While designed for contractors, it is helpful to anyone who is trying to decide what qualifications to look for in a contractor.  A risk assessor may want to attach this brochure to the risk assessment if significant paint disturbances are recommended.  Finally, a housing code inspector should attach this pamphlet to any order involving paint in target housing or a child-occupied facility built before 1978.  PDF Version (0.7 MB).  Web layout (more manageable pieces for reference)

• Property Managers Responsibilities for Lead-Based Paint: This pamphlet is designed for landlords and apartment managers who are committed to providing a safe and habitable property for their tenants that complies with state and federal laws.  Risk assessors, contractors, inspectors and clearance examiners may want to attach this brochure to their proposals and reports to landlords.  PDF Version (0.5 MB).  Web layout (more manageable pieces for reference).

• Evaluating Homes for Lead-Based Paint Hazards:  This pamphlet is designed for the risk assessor, inspector, and clearance examiner so they understand their role in evaluating property and their responsibilities.  However, the pamphlet was designed so these professionals could attach it to their reports to better inform their clients.  PDF Version (0.5 MB).  Web layout (more manageable pieces for reference).

• Now that you have your building permit . . . You must deal with lead-based paint for kids' sake! This pamphlet is designed to be distributed with building permits where paint may be disturbed in target housing or child-occupied facility.  Instead of four pages like the other three pamphlets, this pamphlet is two pages that can be folded in half so it is easier to attach to a permit.  The text is shorter and simpler.  IDEM has sent a letter to Indiana's 213 building permit officials requesting that they do this.  PDF Version (0.3 MB). 

Thanks to Wayne County Health Department for making it possible.

IDEM Sends Letter to Indiana’s 213 Building Permit Officials

Hat’s off to IDEM.  It agreed to send a letter to the 213 officials in Indiana responsible for issuing building permits.   In the letter, IDEM requested that the official include the building permit flyer (described above) whenever the official issues a building permit of any type, for a home or child-occupied facility built before 1978.   South Bend’s officer already agreed!  A copy of the letter is available at

Lead-Safe Indiana Award Recipients

The following individuals and organizations received a 2003 Lead Safe Indiana Award from the Task Force at its 2003 Indiana Lead-Safe and Healthy Homes Conference on October 16, 2003.  IDEM's Paula Smith, HUD's John Hall and IHFA's Kim Wize presented the awards.  The recipients are listed below.  For information on 2001 and 2002 award recipients. 

• Amy Hesting, Fort Wayne – Allen County Health Department

• Judy Gilliland, Indianapolis – Indiana State Department of Health

• Dr. Mary Jo Stine – Southeastern Health Clinic

• Florence Alexander – Indianapolis’ Citizens Multi-Service Center

• State Senator Pat Miller – Indiana General Assembly

• Indiana Department of Environmental Management – David White, Vicki Schoen, and Suzanne Whitmer

• St. Joseph County Health Department – Dr. Janice Carson, David North and Mary Kay Millar

• Indiana Housing Finance Authority – Kimberly Wize and Mark Young

Room for Improvement on Risk Assessments

In August, IDEM requested copies of the two most recent risk assessments from all licensed risk assessors.   About 120 risk assessors complied. 

Thanks to a grant from IHFA, Joan Ketterman of the Environmental Management Institute reviewed the risk assessments.  Her initial review showed the following problems:

• None of the risk assessments prioritized the work or identified the severity of the lead hazards;

• Half of the assessments did not provide the date of construction for the building;

• Half did not provide the address and telephone number of the owner;

• 40% did not provide the location and type of lead-based paint hazards improperly relying instead of lab or XRF reports;

• 75% did not provide abatement options; and

• Half did not have a monitoring schedule. 

Like any program, it looks like we have some work to do.  There seem to be three basic problems:

• Risk assessments for health departments are usually narrowly focused on dealing with a lead poisoned child.  They often omit information about the property owner and don’t consider the full range of options

• Risk assessments for housing agencies are often conducted with a clear understanding of the rehabilitation or repair plans for the home.  With the answer in mind, they do not give full consideration to all options.

• Risk assessments for weatherization agencies are really not risk assessments.  They are focused investigations to identify lead-based paint and lead hazards that might be impacted by the weatherization.  With this narrow focus, they should not be called risk assessments since they do not usually do not meet the sampling requirements for a risk assessment.

More to follow on this issue as EMI completes its analysis.

Indiana’s Plan to Eliminate Lead Poisoning by 2010

The grant from CDC requires that Indiana State Department of Health develop a Lead Elimination Plan.  The plan is essential to receive funding and, if well done, may entitle the state to more funding from CDC.  According to the grant, ISDH must provide a draft plan to CDC in February 2004 and a final plan in June 2004. 

ISDH appointed an Elimination Plan Advisory Committee to guide the effort.  John Hall, the director of HUD’s Indianapolis Office, serves as chair.  IKE’s Tom Neltner serves on the committee.  Karla Johnson is the parent representative.  The committee held its first meeting on October 2.  It was quite good.  The next meeting is October 30 at the Indiana Government Center South Building in Conference Room A from 10:00 to noon.  Contact Nancy Cobb or Wendy Clingaman at Wclingam@isdh.state.in.us for agenda and more information.

Some of the CDC grant money was earmarked for the Fort Wayne - Allen County, Marion County, St. Joseph County, Hammond and Gary Health departments.  ISDH is requiring each of the five departments to write their own elimination plan and set up their own advisory committees.  Fort Wayne - Allen County and St. Joseph County converted an existing task force to work on the effort.  According to the contract with ISDH, each local health department is required to finalize its own elimination plan by May 14, 2004.

No Luck with HUD for Indianapolis

HUD did not fund two grant applications for Indianapolis in September.  The City of Indianapolis asked for $3.5 million to address rental property and weatherization.  Marion County Health Department in association with the Alliance for Healthy Homes asked for $650,000 for lead education.  Next year!

Thanks for improving kids' environment!   If you have any questions or comments about this newsletter, IKE, or the Indiana Lead-Safe Task Force, contact Tom Neltner at mccabe@ikecoalition.org, 317-442-3973 or 5244 Carrollton Avenue, Indianapolis, IN  46202-3181.  If you need more information on national events, check out the Alliance Alert Newsletter at www.afhh.org and click on newsletter. 

This newsletter was produced with the assistance of IHFA through federal funds made available by IHFA under the National Affordable Housing Act of 1990, as amended, using HOME Investment Partnerships Program funds allocated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Please let us know if you do not want to receive this newsletter.  You may get enough emails and faxes already.  We do not want to add to the burden if you are not interested in receiving the materials. 

IKE publishes two additional newsletters on a quarterly basis.  Contact Tom Neltner at mccabe@ikecoalition.org if you want to subscribe to either of those newsletters.

• “Sewage in Our Streams” newsletter on behalf of the Indiana Clean Water Coalition.  .

• “Improving Kids’ Environment” newsletter.  This newsletter deals with all issues and events in which IKE involved.