 Strategic Plan: |
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Strategic Plan: |
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IV G. LEAD BASED PAINT HAZARDS
In Iowa City there have been a relatively small number of children under age seven who have tested positively for elevated blood lead levels. The low number of affected children may be the result of code enforcement and the maintenance practices of local landlords. Even though the number of affected children is low, a number of households remain at risk. According to our research for the 1994 CHAS, there may be as many as 1,863-2,458 households with children under age seven living in units with lead based paint somewhere within the structure. (NOTE: These statistics are based on national averages and may not be an accurate reflection of Iowa City's housing stock).
a. Outline of Actions Proposed and Being Taken
Lead poisoning has not been a problem in Iowa City, as very few children show elevated blood lead levels. When requested by parents or others, testing can be done by the Johnson County Health Department or private hospitals and clinics. Iowa City's main action at this time is the education of its citizens concerning the potential hazards of lead based paint. The Department of Housing and Inspection Services distributes pamphlets and brochures concerning lead based paint hazards to landlords when rental inspections are conducted. The City's Housing Rehabilitation office does testing of paint chips and children when a rehabilitation project is planned for a unit that includes children under age seven.
Persons from the Johnson County Department of Health, Apartment Owners Association, Iowa City School District, and the Iowa City Department of Planning and Community Development meet occasionally to discuss the hazards of lead based paint and what actions are necessary to prevent lead poisoning. This committee continues to emphasize community-wide education.
During the next year attention should be given to facilitating the identification and organization of testing services that are available for both people and property. Also, materials for public dissemination can be developed. In order to adequately educate the general public on this issue the information on lead paint hazards will be provided to public and private organizations, cable television and radio.
b. Description of Integration of Actions into Housing Policy and Programs
As stated above, both the Department of Housing and Inspections Services and the Department of Planning and Community Development have engaged in disseminating information and provided testing as necessary. The danger of lead based paint is most prevalent in the owner-occupied housing stock constructed before 1978 containing children under age seven, which represents approximately 980 households in Iowa City (based on Census data and estimated data from Section II.E.). Information on the hazards of lead based paint will continue to be disseminated by the various public agencies and departments. The City will also continue to provide for testing on rehabilitation projects as they are planned. The ICHA will continue to ensure that all its public housing and Housing Choice Voucher rental units are lead free. Further integration of actions to reduce lead based paint hazards will be developed as the need arises and information is provided to the public.
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