L.A. County will get $134 million from a settlement to rid homes of lead hazards. But that will cover only a fraction of needed work, officials say.
During his pediatrics residency training at a hospital in Hollywood, Dr. David Bolour rarely gave a second thought to lead poisoning.
Parents who learn their children are being exposed to lead usually require improvements in their home to make it safer. Stopping the lead exposure will bring down a child’s blood lead levels. The settlement money can be used on any of the 720,000 homes in the county built before 1951, when lead concentrations in paint were highest. But officials say the funds will pay for remediation for only about 5,000 units, leaving thousands still in need of repair.
The children most affected are those who are just learning to crawl or walk and are exploring their lead-laden environment.“When they test positive, I ask the parents, ‘How’s the housing? Is there chipping paint?’” Bolour said. “The only thing I want for my two kids is that they’re healthy. ... I want good things for them,” said Mejia, 30. “So it made my husband and I very concerned that lead was going to his brain.”
Once dangerous homes are identified, county workers will inspect affected homes for the biggest hazards — typically doors and windows where friction and regular use cause paint to flake off. Instead of totally repainting the house, workers will paint over problem areas or try other ways to mitigate lead hazards, she said.
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