KDHE Receives $2.98 Million in Grant Funding from HUD to Continue Lead
Hazard Control Work in Wyandotte County

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has received $2.98 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to reduce lead-based paint hazards from homes in Wyandotte County.

The funding will allow for lead-based paint hazard remediation in 265 Wyandotte County residences, and continue lead screening activities to identify children who might have elevated blood lead levels. Over the past three years, 250 homes have been remediated of lead thanks to a similar HUD grant and Project Lead Safe KCK, which is administered by KDHE. Since Project Lead Safe KCK's inception in 2004, the program has aided in testing nearly 6,000 children under the age of six for lead in their bodies.

"This funding allows us to continue to work to protect more children in Wyandotte County from lead poisoning providing them a safer environment and a healthier future," stated Mary Glassburner, Director of the KDHE Bureau of Consumer Health "Childhood lead poisoning can be devastating to children and families, but it is preventable."

Almost all homes built in the U.S. before 1978 contain lead-based paint, a health hazard especially for younger children. The grant will allow Project Lead Safe KCK to reimburse certified contractors to perform lead remediation work, including the replacement of windows and doors, repainting of both interior and exterior surfaces of a home, and in some cases applying vinyl siding to cover lead-based paint on the outsides of homes.

In 2005, KDHE received 327 reports of elevated blood lead levels in Kansas residents, with children and adolescents comprising the largest affected age groups. Blood lead levels as low as 10 micrograms per deciliter (ug/dL) are associated with harmful effects on children's learning and behavior. High blood lead levels are associated with decreased intelligence, mental retardation, and hyperactivity. Levels as high as 70 ug/dL can cause seizures, coma, and death.

Children may show no obvious symptoms of lead poisoning. If a child does show symptoms, the level of poisoning is advanced. Symptoms can include hearing, behavior and learning problems. Children with high blood lead levels may have poor appetite, stomachaches, vomiting, constipation, crankiness, loss of energy, headaches, and trouble sleeping.

Homes built before 1978 should be tested for lead before renovations or repairs. If you have lead in your home, KDHE recommends the following:

• Clean the floors, windowsills, furniture and other surfaces in your home with detergent once a week.
• Mini-blinds purchased before July 31st, 1996 should be discarded.
• Always wash your children's hands after play, before eating, and before bedtime. Wash toys, pacifiers and other objects children put in their mouths.
• Feed children foods like milk, cheese, yogurt, lean meat, beans and eggs that are high in calcium and iron.
• Talk with your doctor or local health department about having your children tested for lead even if they don't appear sick.

Wyandotte County residents who wish to apply for Project Lead Safe KCK services or who would like more information should contact Cory Lambrecht or Matt Martinek at 913-262-0796.

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