Document pmd2wmzj9OdjY9b0y3JgB3897

MAY 2 5 1977 DN Wed., May 2S, 1977 Phlla. Daily Nws Lead Paint Changes Urged The City Health Department wants to change itl lcad paint program so it no longer ntiris rcflIT approval to order homeowners to remove the poisonous siihslauce. Arttiur Wallach, assistant health commissioner (or environmental services, said yesterday the alterna tion is being sought because hear ings on lead paint problems are re ceiving a low priority in the courts. would act to remove lead paint only able." Wallach snid "at those properties where a child Wallach pointed out the new fed- has been identified as having undue end Jaw I mil"Wftlcli the city ordi- lead absorption. is patterned takes otlccl June "IN SITUATIONS where a iretit- 22 and will ban any further lead guardian of the child pl-rtSf is the paint sales. owner of the dwelling unit and is on `Hie Health Committee unani limited incqmtr,' the department mously voted to report Hie ordi would remote the lead lutzard at no nance to Council with a favorable charge bs long as funds are avail . recommendation. "For instance, fn 1976, of 638 cases scheduled for court hearings, only* 120 were heard," Wallach told City Council's Committee on Public Health and Wolfare. Wallach said all the cases in volved a direct lead paint threat to children. "The majority remain in violation of department orders, and thus the children involved are still, exposed to the health hazard," be said. WALLACH TESTIFIED on an ordi nance to amend the lead paint abate ment program to conform to newly revised federal guidelines. However, the section dealing with enforcement was redone to help the city move more quickly on leadpaint problems without court delays. Under the proposed changes, the City May Remove Health Department could order re moval of lead paint without conn approval and if the owner refused,.!! could remove it on its own and bill the owner. If the owner failed to pay, a lien could be placed against his property. Wallach said the department wrrrt97TE By GUNTER DAVID ^nittee on Public Health and Welfare. Of The Bulletin Staff Wallach said there are many chil dren in Philadelphia in great danger If You Need Help.. A bill that would allow the city to re because they live in old houses or move lead based paint from houses apartments with lead based paint on and apartments and then charge land watts or woodwork. lords for the expense was approved He told the committee members litis yesterday by a City Council com is because legal action brought by the mittee. ' city against landlords regarding lead Under the legislation, backed by the based paint receive lofv pigority in the Health Department, the city would act when landlords balked at orders to get rid of the paint, especially harmful to children. The bill, amending present law-, also would allow court action against land lords who refuse to reimburse (he city for paint removal. Arthur Wallach, assistant health commissioner, urged passage of (he bill at a hearing before council's Com courts. "Seme children, therefore, are liv ing In dwelling units where the depart ment has issued orders for the remov al of the health hazard for as long as 12 months ago," Wallach said. Wallach said the city would not charge persons on limited Income for having the lead removed. The city does plan to embark on a large sralc lead paint removal. The 'legislation, amending present law, r,, ax CIi/h mM' Bapewwv had oltoJlU **** **>*" il. A T sn2iiu||si provides that the city act only in in stances where a child has been Identi fied as suffering from symptoms due to having eaten lead paint. -* mol / to* htt at wwwcwd had pwrt md/uHi " "* * " tfilfc* In its other provisions the amend ment would bring city law up to feder al standards going into effect June 22. The committee recommended pas f tB 281970 0 ii s|mEi wl! j | g sage of the bill by Council as a whole, following yesterday's public hearing. The measure conies up for a vote in about two weeks. ISi! MS | are !"r 11*1 * - sGS gSp S,sp| Eta SP-S <3 S " SS~<3 = " S 8| f "SSt-is. S ffa-g e 8j s -h H Wit - Sill 1| lists a *S k B '..5 _! * J S.SoS ef ss?5 g e |sf ss'IiailsI-aSsg =-2!::Io Zc -I| w tied as suffering from symptoms due to having eaten lead paint, in its other ptovisioos the amend- N39148