Kelly Koch is a lot like a Ghostbuster. She’s part of a team, uses high-tech equipment, and hunts for something scary. Not ghosts, but lead.
The use of lead dates back to 6500 B.C., long before humans realized it was toxic. It was part of everyday life, from plumbing to paint, cosmetics to car fuel. In the mid-1970s, lead was banned from gasoline for new vehicles, a first step toward the eventual eradication. In 1978, the government outlawed the use of lead in residential paint due to health concerns.
“We love finding lead,” exclaimed Koch. In truth, she doesn’t love lead as much as the opportunity to remove it from people’s homes, especially homes with young children.
As a lead risk assessor for Hennepin County, Koch has been in hundreds of homes. “We’re there just to see where the lead is. I don’t care about anything else that I see … if I find lead, that means I can use our grant funds to address the lead hazards,” said Koch. The grants are generous, up to $15,000 for removal of lead from homes or apartments built before 1978.
Danger to Children
Older windows were usually painted with lead paint. There’s a misconception that if your child isn’t eating paint chips, they’re not in danger. Experts like Koch try to educate the public about the danger of lead dust. It’s created every time lead-painted windows are raised and lowered. When toddlers use a window sill to pull themselves up, they may come into contact with the dangerous, hard-to-see dust.
“Little kids, you’ve seen them. They put all kinds of things in their mouth,” said Koch. “If they’re putting their hands in their mouth, they’re breathing in or ingesting that fine lead dust.”
Because lead exposure can damage children’s brains, Koch and her fellow assessors prioritize homes where children under the age of 6 live or regularly visit. “Getting in before things happen is our main goal,” explained Koch.
Koch encourages home daycare providers and renters to sign up for the lead removal program. “We want to get into those places, because lots of kids are going through there,” said Koch. “Rentals do count as long as the landlord signs off and is willing to work with us.”
Initial Visit
The initial visit to a home takes around two hours, during which a team of three risk assessors hunts for lead in all parts of the residence--every window, piece of trim, and wall. The lead hunters even take soil samples to determine if there’s lead in a family’s yard.
Koch and her colleagues use a “fancy machine called XRF” to test for lead-based paints; the tool reads through every layer of a painted surface, indicating “positive” or “negative” depending on if there’s any lead present. “Our machines have lights, and they beep, so it’s kind of entertaining for kids to have us there,” said Koch. A team captures between 200 and 300 lead test readings during an average home visit.
It can take from six months to a year from the time lead is detected to its removal. During that time, clients should avoid using lead-painted windows and doors, if possible. It is also wise to regularly wipe lead-painted surfaces to remove dust and reduce risk to children.
Hiring Contractors
Hennepin County wants to make the process easy for participants. That’s why one of the three risk assessors who make the initial visit to a home will serve as a case manager throughout the rest of the process. “You’re kinda stuck with me,” said Koch, who is available whenever homeowners or renters have questions.
“I’ll write up a report that goes through all the lead hazards that we found, and I’ll educate you about where that is, what that is, and then we’ll work together to write up a scope of work,” said Koch. The scope of work document is sent to the county’s contractor pool, with the lowest bid getting the job.
Typically, the work includes new energy-efficient windows. The average cost of lead removal, a little over $11,000, falls under the $15,000 grant limit. “If, by chance, the cost runs over the $15,000 grant, we have a repayment loan that has zero percent interest and zero fees,” explained Koch. “That’s something you’re never gonna find at any bank.”
Hotel Stay
Due to the dangerous nature of lead removal, participants must leave their homes while licensed contractors do the work. They typically need to stay away for four or five days. “We know it’s a lot to ask,” said Koch. “Fortunately, there are funds available, so you can stay in a hotel. I always encourage them to get a hotel with a pool, because kids like the pool!”
A family of four who qualifies for the program receives a per diem of $175 to be spent on food, lodging, and incidentals. Families with more people get a proportionally larger per diem allowance.
Before the family can return to the home, Koch or her colleagues will conduct a site visit to make sure the work is being done correctly. The State of Minnesota may also send someone to do a site visit.
Who’s Eligible?
To be eligible for the program, homeowners and renters must live in a structure built before 1978. A child or children under the age of six needs to live in the home or visit regularly, so active grandparents, aunts, and uncles should consider applying.
There are income limits for the program. A family of four with an annual income of $94,000 or less can qualify. Bigger families would be able to have an even greater income. For more information on the program and to see whether you would qualify, go here or call 612-543-4182.
Koch urges parents to apply for the program quickly. Since lead exposure can cause permanent learning and behavioral problems, it makes sense to address the hazards as soon as possible. As Koch explained, “We’re trying to get in before these little kids have elevated lead levels.”