A new study ranks Erie as the 27th highest risk city in the United States for lead paint exposure, highlighting a significant public health concern.
The Redevelopment Authority of the City of Erie reports that Pennsylvania, including Erie, faces a substantial lead problem due to its aging housing stock. In Erie County, 72% of homes were built before 1978, the year lead paint was banned, making them likely to contain lead hazards.
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“The amount it takes to lead poison a child is like a quarter of what will fit on a pinhead,” said Holly Cook, Director of Program Administration with the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Erie. “It’s very, very little. It’s not a thing you would see. People think, ‘Oh my kids don’t eat paint chips.’ They don’t have to get very sick.”
Lead poisoning symptoms might not manifest immediately, instead appearing years later as learning disabilities, hearing and vision problems, and behavioral issues. The Redevelopment Authority of the City of Erie emphasizes the importance of testing for lead exposure, especially in homes with young children or pregnant residents…