A local lead-free home initiative, led by the Mahoning County Family and Children First Council, has gained national attention by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Housing and Urban Development.
According to a news release by the Mahoning County District Board of Health, the EPA took notice after officials saw that the board's website displayed a list of lead-hazardous properties and owners. The EPA, HUD and the health board have negotiated agreements with local rental property owners to make more than 100 rental properties lead-safe, the release states.
Since the plan was implemented, the number of lead-infested rental units has dropped from 237 to 143. Youngstown Mayor Jay Williams said there have been studies that show children who have elevated levels of lead in their blood may also experience learning and developmental disabilities.
Looking ahead, the council said it plans to ask Youngstown for sustained financial report to keep the project going. Williams said he intends to continue to fund the initiative.
"Until we protect all young children who are continually exposed to lead, many will suffer irreversible developmental delays, start school with learning impediments and exhibit delinquent behavior when the reach adolescence," said Matt Stefanak, Mahoning County health commissioner and head of the council.
The release states that Youngstown is the only major city in Ohio to implement a program like this, which applies anti-blight laws to residential areas that contain lead hazards. The program began in 2005.
