On June 3, 2024, Gabriella Celeste, co-founder and co-chair of the Ohio Lead-Free Kids Coalition (OLFKC), provided compelling written testimony to the Ohio House Public Health Policy Committee supporting House Bill 388. The testimony emphasized the urgent need for primary prevention measures to protect Ohio's children from lifelong harm caused by lead poisoning.
Celeste, representing a coalition of organizations, including the Ohio Healthy Homes Network and the Ohio Poverty Law Center, underscored the critical importance of HB 388. The bill aims to ensure lead-safe work practices during renovation, repair, and painting (RRP) activities in older homes, which are the primary source of lead exposure for children in the state. Despite significant progress in combating lead poisoning, Ohio still ranks second in the nation for the number of children with elevated blood lead levels.
The testimony highlighted several key points:
- Prevalence of Lead Exposure: Every county in Ohio reports cases of children with elevated blood lead levels, with the top five counties being Harrison, Cuyahoga, Williams, Clark, and Crawford.
- Sources of Lead: Approximately 95% of these cases result from lead exposure in old housing, particularly homes built before 1978 when lead paint was outlawed.
- Economic Impact: Lead poisoning costs Ohio nearly $3 billion annually in healthcare, education, criminal justice, and social assistance expenses.
HB 388 proposes transferring the RRP rule's administration from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to the Ohio Department of Health (ODH). This change aims to improve compliance through local management, offer better education and support for contractors, and ensure that renovation activities do not inadvertently expose children to lead hazards. Celeste praised this approach as a business-friendly strategy that balances public health protection with support for the local workforce.
For further information or inquiries, Gabriella Celeste can be contacted at mgc36"@case.edu