2001 Lead-Safe Indiana Conference Summary

Thanks to the 200 people who attended.  Beyond the benefits of getting 200 people together who care deeply about the future of our youth, there were two highlights that we most commonly mentioned on the evaluation forms:

 Lead Industry Responsibility/Liability:  The highlight for some and the lowlight for others was the “discussion” on the responsibility and liability of the lead industry by Steve Sides of the National Paint and Coatings Association and Don Ryan of the AECLP.  It got heated because the stakes are high and the underlying philosophy of holding an industry liable for past decisions is contentious. 

Technical and Personal Implications of Lead Poisoning:  Bruce Lanphear of the University of Michigan got the conference rolling with a technical presentation on the latest science behind lead poisoning.  He made it clear that lead causes damage at levels below 10 ug/dL and the EPA dust standard for floors could result in 15% not 1% to 5% of children living in those homes getting poisoned.  I am still working to get a copy of his presentation and slides.  The session was bookended by Margaret Sauser of the United Parents Against Lead of Michigan.  She explained the devastating personal impacts that lead poisoning has had on her life and her families life.  Whether you look at it from the personal angle or the technical angle, there can be little doubt why the federal government set a goal of virtually eliminating lead poisoning by 2010.

Other Highlights:

We also benefited from presentations by the heads of three state agencies with prominent roles in preventing lead poisoning:

• Dr. Greg Wilson – Indiana State Department of Health

•  Lori Kaplan – Indiana Department of Environmental Management

• Kim Green – Indiana Housing Finance Administration. 

Three federal agencies had excellent representatives explaining their efforts.  Bonnie Dyck of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention made it clear that we need to know where lead poisoned children are so we can help them and so we can focus our limited resources.  She aptly demonstrated that focus when her presentation was interrupted by a fire alarm and evacuation.  Phyllis Reed of the Environmental Protection Agency provided insight into EPA’s rules.  Based on the discussion, it is clear that we need to address shortcomings in disclosure by contractors and some landlords and property sellers.  Marcia Pierce of Housing and Urban Development gave a good overview of resources they have available.

Paula Smith and Tami Johnson presented the results of IDEM’s 2000 Families Report.  You can get a copy of the report at www.in.gov/idem/lead in early February 2002. 

Lead-Safe Indiana Award winners were presented with their awards by Dr Virginia Caine, director of the Marion County Health Department and Kim Green of IHFA for presenting the awards.

We also had nine breakout sessions with many other fine speakers.

Vital Statistics: 

• 200 people attended

• 34 scholarships awarded

• 31 people attended risk assessor refresher

Thanks to the conference sponsors:

• Indiana Housing Finance Administration

• Family and Social Services Administration

• Marion County Health Department

• Indiana Department of Environmental Management

• Environmental Management Institute

• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency – Region 5

• Indiana State Department of Health

• Memorial Hospital – South Bend

• Health Visions