Crews working inside a North Minneapolis home are in the process of removing lead paint before it's sold to a community member.
It's one of nearly 7,000 mainly low income properties that will be going through the same remediation effort.
Minneapolis city council member, LaTrisha Vetaw represents the neighborhood and explains why it is important for the city to get involved in the process.
“Lead poisoning can lead to a lifetime of problems for children learning disabilities, decrease impulse control and increase aggression,” Councilmember Vetawl says. “We know that it is our Black and Brown children who suffer most from lead poisoning.”
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Fry announced that the city will now invest $3 million to remove all lead paint from homes by the year 2035. Frey had previously announced the plan as part of his state of the city address in April.
The main culprit is house paint, and many of the homes in question were built prior to 1978 when lead-based paint was banned for use in residential housing.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, when the paint peels and cracks, it makes lead dust. Children can be exposed to lead when they swallow or breathe in lead dust.
You can get a lead paint inspection risk assessment to find out whether there is lead in your home. The CDC recommends you contact your health provider if you think that your child has been exposed to lead paint or dust.
Hennepin County also has resources for detecting and removing lead paint here.
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