Los Angeles County will use a recent $134 million settlement to remove lead-based paint from thousands of homes in Los Angeles County. The goal will be to reduce lead poisoning among children for generations. In 2018, LA County and nine additional local public entities won a landmark case against 3 former lead-based paint manufacturers. The litigation took almost 2 decades but the courts found the companies to be responsible. Los Angeles has been allotted $134M of the total settlement of $305M.
“Children are still being poisoned by the lead paint these companies profited off of for decades,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn, who authored the motion. “I applaud the aggressive efforts of our litigation team in their pursuit of environmental justice. We are going to put this funding to work removing lead paint from thousands of homes in LA County so that we can protect children now and for generations to come from lead poisoning.”
Funds from the settlement will be disbursed over the next 8 years and the program will abate lead paint hazards from up to 5,000 homes. The main focus of the lead removal will be on residential properties that are 1950 or older, in low-income areas and have a high level of young children living in the community.
“All of our children deserve to live in homes and communities that are free from environmental hazards,” said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. “The proposed program is critically needed to ensure that low-income families with young children can live in housing free from lead paint hazards.”
“We are pleased to partner with the Department of Public Health to address lead hazards in older homes and provide solutions to protect our most vulnerable residents for generations to come,” said Monique Viehland-King, Executive Director of the LACDA.
The main focus of the funding will be to prevent lead poisoning. Lead paint or coated surfaces is very common in older housing and was used in housing until 1978. Lead dust that causes poisoning is created through deterioration, friction and common renovation activities. Exposure to the dust can cause brain and central nervous system problems, learning and behavior difficulties, and attention deficit disorder. Left undiagnosed, symptoms from lead poisoning can become permanent.
ersons disturbing lead painted or coated surfaces should attend a Lead Certification class to make sure they have the proper knowledge and expertise to work lead safe. This means controlling dust with containment, using proper cleaning techniques, and verifying an area is clean prior to re-entry by other to the space. Click Here to read the full article.
