Lead Prevention and Remediation Program

 

* Most homes built before 1978 used lead-based paint.

*90% of St. Louis City houses were built before 1978.

*Lead paint can cause brain damage in young children.

*Over half the children in St. Louis City are not up to date with their lead tests.

 

Sign up for free classes offered by the Grace Hill Health Education Program.  Learn what to look for and how to help make your home lead safe.

 

To register, call (314) 814-8546.  Classes run through September, reserve your seat today.

 

 

10 Simple Ways You Can Protect Your Family from Lead!

1.      Make sure children under age six are tested every year.

2.      Get Your Home tested.

3.      Wet clean your home once a week. Never dry dust or sandblast off old paint.

4.      Wash your hands thoroughly before eating, after using the bathroom, or after playing/working outside.

5.      Eat 3 healthy meals a day.  Avoid fatty foods and eat foods rich in iron, calcium and vitamins.  Ask about WIC program.

6.      Use a Hepa vacuum cleaning on window troughs and carpet. (Ask about renting a Hepa Vac for free)

7.      Wipe your feet before coming into your home.  Dispose of old clothes.

8.      Cover up bare soil by planting grass or other vegetation.

9.      Keep furniture away from windows.

9.      Wash toys, pacifiers and other items that young children may pick up or touch.



On July 19, 2004 Grace Hill Neighborhood Health Centers, Inc. received a one year HUD contract to implement a Lead Prevention and Remediation Project within six of the most affected Zip Code areas in the City of St. Louis .  The funds were made available through a VA/HUD earmark allocation of $5 million sponsored by Senator Christopher “Kit” Bond.  Funding for a second year term has been approved by Congress and awaits approval by President Bush.  Senator Bond has pledged to seek an additional $5 million for a third year for the continued implementation of this Project. 

 

Grace Hill’s Project is unique in that it will focus on primary prevention activities through the identification each year of 2,000 pregnant women and their children who are ‘at risk’ of lead poisoning.  The pregnant women and children will be identified through Obstetric and other health services provided at Grace Hill Neighborhood Health Centers, People’s Health Centers, Myrtle Hilliard Davis Comprehensive Health Centers and Family Care Health Centers .  Pregnant women will receive lead blood tests, receive lead poisoning prevention education and if she agrees to participate in this Project, additional services would be offered such as Community Health Nurse visits and a visual evaluation for lead hazards in the home.

 

Once a pregnant woman is identified as having potential lead hazards in her home, licensed lead risk assessors will inspect the home and recommend a remediation plan for the property. The remediation  may include removal of lead dust through specialized cleaning, replacement of windows, and other interventions depending upon the sources of lead which may be present.  Grace Hill is partnering with professional lead-cleaning services provided by the St. Louis Lead Prevention Coalition and Missouri Licensed Lead Abatement Contractors to assure that the work will be completed safely. Property owners will have the opportunity to participate in a five-year forgivable loan program to pay for remediation.

 

Grace Hill is also interested in building the capacity of a lead licensed workforce in St. Louis . Grace Hill’s plan emphasizes the participation of small and minority-owned construction businesses that hire neighbors from the Grace Hill service area. Grace Hill offers opportunities to qualified contractors to purchase affordable liability insurance. 

 

For more information about the Lead Prevention and Remediation Program, call (314) 425-2933 or (314) 241-2200, or review the following brochures:

 

Brochure for Pregnant Mothers

Brochure for Pregnant Mothers (Español)

Brochure for Property Owners

Brochure for Property Owners (Español)

Zip Codes for the Lead Prevention and Remediation Program

 63106                                      63107                                      63112

 63113                                      63115                                      63118

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