• Denial - "Lead poisoning is no longer a problem." "It's just an inner-city problem." "The Republicans will never make us do this crazy stuff." "Soil is the problem (from gasoline), not paint."
• Anger - "Those damn environmentalist do-gooder know-nothings, dimwitted government bureaucrats, blood-sucking lawyers, and spineless, grand-standing politicians...."
  
• Bargaining - "O.K., I'll pass out brochures." "O.K., we won't sandblast." "O.K., we need regs for abatement, but not for renovation."
  
• Depression - "We're ruined, we should just walk away from these buildings." "The costs are too great, we'll never able to operate with these restrictions." "Rehab will stop, people will be made homeless."
  
• Acceptance - "The costs were exaggerated, I've been flailing at a straw man." "We need to protect kids and our liability." "What's it going to take to live with HUD, ODH, OSHA, EPA, ...."

Opportunity Points for Lead Hazard Control

Lead hazard control is most cost-effective when integrated with other work:

• Acquisition
• Renovation
• Repair
• Maintenance
• Rental turnover
• Weatherization

Lead hazard control is most costly when done in response to the identification of a lead-poisoned child.

Division of Responsibility for Lead Hazard Control

Government & Industry

• products
  
• industrial emissions
  
• steel structures work
  
• building demolition
  
• abatement regulation
  
• occupational safety
  
• waste regulation

Building Owner

• keep paint intact
  
• repair damage causing paint failure
  
• use safe work practices
  
• lead-clean common areas and units at turnover
  
• maintain cover on contaminated soil
  
• provide cleanable surfaces
  
• inform tenants of lead hazards

Parent

• clean regularly to reduce recontamination
  
• wash child's hands and toys frequently
  
• report paint failure and water leaks promptly
  
• have child tested

Why Do Lead Hazard Control?

• To provide safe housing for children.
• To meet legal requirements.
• To reduce liability exposure.
• To lessen social costs to the community.
• To preserve property values

More Information on Lead Poisoning

• Lead Poisoning - Down But Not Out
• Cleveland Rates
• Cuyahoga County Rates
• Laws and Regulations
• Lawsuits and the Lead Industry
• Putting Lead Poisoning on the Community Agenda
• Preventing and Managing Lead Poisoning
• Too Few Children Tested for Lead Poisoning
• Lead's Damage Below Currently Accepted Levels
• Lead and Asthma
• Difficult Issues
• Lead Dust Wipe Kits
• Links
• Environmental Health Watch Activities

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