Document rpeBOZdRbLzVLkODRX2Dx09mV

EFFECTIVENESS 0? PHILADELPHIA PAINT ORDINANCE (Reported by Hill Sc Knowlton) Thomas Connor, sanitarian, accident control section of the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, regarding the effec tiveness of the Philadelphia paint ordinance passed in 1966, made the following points about the situation there: 1. From a compliance of the lav; standpoint (after the ov,*ner has been approached following a reported case), the law has been over CO percent effective. The reason why it has not been '100 percent effective is the result of an inadequacy in the Philadelphia court system which has new been corrected. 2. They are very satisfied with the ordinance. There are two difficulties: 1; V.'hen a child ccmes down with a case of plumbism, the family has often moved before paint samples can bo taken; 2) The Health Department cannot inspect a property, without being invited, unless they have a reported case. The housing department does some inspection. 3. Following are some figures on effectiveness: Year Coni!rrr.od Casos Fatalities 1950-1955 (no program) 53 15 1961 (ESB blood tests) 109 12 Ordinance Instituted in 1966 1960 184 1* * This fatality may have resulted from a wrong diagnosis of symptoms. LIA-75684