MAHONING COUNTY Grant aids removal of lead

The county has received more than $9 million in HUD grants since 1997.
By BOB JACKSON
VINDICATOR COURTHOUSE REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Mahoning County has received a $2 million federal grant to help remove lead from older homes with young children.
Representatives of HUD were to officially present the grant to county commissioners this morning, said county Administrator Gary Kubic.
It's the third such grant the county has received from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in the past six years, according to Gary Singer, coordinator of the county's lead hazard abatement program.
The first grant was for $4.3 million in 1997 and paid for abatement of lead in 190 housing units, Singer said.
The second grant, received in January 2000, was for $2.9 million and abated lead from 175 housing units.
The latest grant is expected to pay for lead abatement in 125 housing units over a two-year period.
Singer said the county targets older homes that have lead-based paint in them, and in which children live who are 6 years old or younger.
The aim is to protect those children from becoming lead-poisoned by either inhaling dust or ingesting chips from lead-based paint.
Effects on children
Singer has said that childhood lead poisoning causes reduced intelligence, reading and learning disabilities, and has been linked to juvenile delinquency and many other adverse health effects.
In April 2000, Singer received the Lead Star award from HUD for demonstrating a high level of achievement and commitment to reducing childhood lead poisoning.
bjackson@vindy.com