HOW IS THE CITY OF READING HELPING?
Here at The City of Reading, under Community Development department, and with the help of HUD and the State of Pennsylvania, we are developing a new program called LEAD HAZARD CONTROL PROGRAM (LHCP). The purpose of this program is to help tenants/homeowners reduce the risk of lead in their homes. Also our program includes a Healthy Homes Supplemental Funds that consist of a checklist that includes random testing, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. The goal of our program is to identify at least 150 properties (low income) in the next 42 months, in order to provide a lead-free environment for the well-being of our community. See if you qualify for our LHCP and get your home tested-FREE for lead and how to apply.
Free Risk Assessment & Hazard Containment
The LHC Program can complete a FREE Risk Assessment on your property, and will remove/contain all lead hazards (may include painting or replacement of doors and windows) at no cost for eligible families.
Family Eligibility Requirements
Eligible families (landlords/tenants/homeowners) must have:
Reside in the City of Reading.
Property build before 1978.
Child under 6yrs of age who lives or visits 60 hours a year.
Someone who is pregnant living in the home.
Meet HUD income legibility requirements.
DOWNLOAD YOUR RISK ASSESSMENT FORM HERE. (English)
DESCARGUE SU FORMULARIO DE EVALUACIÓN DE RIESGOS AQUÍ. (Espanol)
Once the form is complete you can:
Email an electronic version to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
or
Send in the mail to:
Community Development
815 Washington St.
Reading, Pa.
19601
ATTN: Lead Program
For questions please call us at: 610 655-6460
LEAD is a natural element found in small amount in the earth's crust. While it has some beneficial uses, it can be toxic to human and animals causing health problems. This element it used for centuries in paint (homes build before 1978), gasoline, ceramics, metal goods, and more. It is found in all parts of our environment including dust, air, soil, and water.
LEAD can be ingested or inhaled, and even small amounts are harmful to all body systems, but children under 6yrs and pregnant women are the most.
• Vulnerable children: Because their growing bodies absorb more lead than adults do and their brains, and nervous system are more sensitive to the damaging effects of lead. Some of the effects of lead exposure in children are:
+ Nervous system and kidney damage,
+ Learning disabilities (attention-deficit disorder and decreased intelligence)
+ Speech language, and behavior problems,
+ Poor muscle coordination, decreased muscle, and bone growth,
+ Hearing problems.
• Pregnant women: Lead can accumulate in our bodies over time, where it is stored in bones with calcium. During pregnancy, lead can released from the mother's bones along with calcium and can pass from the mother exposing the fetus to lead. This can result in serious health problem to the baby, including baby to be born premature, damage in the baby's brain, kidney's and nervous system and more.
There is no safe level of lead in the blood. Both, adults and children are affected by deteriorating lead-based paint in their own homes. Dry sanding and/or burning of lead-based paint form hard-to-reach surfaces is very dangerous.
Children 6 years old and younger are the most susceptible to the effects of lead. In addition to the aforementioned damage that lead can cause, the ingestion of lead can cause seizures, coma, and in rare cases even death. Protecting children from exposure to lead is important to lifelong good health, and the effects of lead cannot be corrected. The most important step parents, doctors, and others can take is too prevent lead exposure before it occurs.