YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) – Although it’s been 46 years since a house could be built where lead-based paint or window frames were used, there are still hundreds of them around the City of Youngstown.
“We do get kids that have high lead levels. I’m not saying it’s always at the home but we want to make sure that they’re living in a house that is lead-free,” said Erin Bishop, Youngstown City health commissioner.
In August of last year, Youngstown Council enacted legislation requiring homes be inspected and cleared of any lead hazards within five years.
“The deadline is 2028. That’s when they have to have the work done but that doesn’t mean they can’t start getting, gaining compliance now,” said Tara Cioffi, with the Youngstown Health Department.
Because the process of clearing homes of lead can take months to complete, directors with the health department have been holding public meetings to explain what’s involved and required.
“We want to make sure that we’re being proactive, getting the word out. That everyone’s aware of this ordinance,” Cioffi said.
“We didn’t want to be like, ‘Hey, you gotta have this done by tomorrow.’ We wanted to give them time,” Bishop said.
Before actual enforcement of the new rules begin, directors say council needs to take action itself, creating a seven-member committee that will oversee the program and help answer questions that may come from landlords and residents.
“Once we have these people determined, we can bring legislation to you and to the mayor for passage, but we would like to have that in place sooner than later,” Cioffi said.
Directors say other big cities around the state have already been working to rid their homes of lead for some time, hoping Youngstown can also become lead-free.
You can view the entire ordinance online. For more information on the dangers of lead, visit the Youngstown City Health Department’s website.
