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Aug 16, 2007 10:05 pm US/Central
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New Program To Protect Kids From Lead Poisoning
Chicago Dept. Of Public Health, Lead Free Illinois Provide $12 Million To Lead Paint Removal In Homes
by Mary Ann Childers
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
Chicago is taking a big step to protect children from lead poisoning in Chicago.
As CBS 2's Mary Ann Childers reports, the program is targeting one of the biggest sources of dangerous lead: paint on windows of older buildings that can cause serious harm to children.
A coalition -- including the Chicago Department of Public Health and the advocacy group Lead Safe Illinois -- is making $12 million available to replace windows and remove deteriorating lead paint in more than 2,000 Chicago housing units. In Illinois, more children are poisoned from lead than in any other state.
Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) Dr. Terry Mason said, "Old windows are the number one source. So when you raise or lower a window, it rubs against the paint and causes the dust to fly."
Landlords who qualify will be able to borrow 100 percent of the cost of lead abatement. When they've repaid half their loan, the other half will be forgiven -- as long as they maintain the building and offer affordable rents. The money, from federal grants and private donations, will protect thousands of children from brain damage, lowered IQ's, behavioral problems and learning difficulties from exposure to lead in their own homes.
"No child should be exposed to lead, whether it's in a toy, on jewelry on a baby bib or from lead paint on the window frames and walls in their homes," said Prof. Anita Weinberg of Lead Safe Illinois.
Last year, 3,000 Chicago children showed elevated levels of lead in their blood.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)