Ohio is among the worst when it comes to childhood lead poisoning. In fact, Ohio has the second highest number of children testing positive for elevated blood lead levels in the country.

Ohio’s high rate of lead poisoning among children is a result of exposure to lead. Currently, more than two-thirds of the state’s housing stock was built before 1980. Homes built before 1980 have a much higher chance of containing lead hazards including lead-based paint. More than 427,000 children under the age of six live in these homes. In addition, Ohio has the second highest number of lead service lines in the country, which can mean that the water flowing through these lines is not safe to drink. 

Elevated levels of lead in the blood can lead to health and social issues including developmental delays, decreased bone and muscle growth, and speech and language problems. A study conducted by Case Western Reserve University found that children with elevated blood lead levels were less likely to be ready for kindergarten, less likely to be reading at grade level, more likely to interact with the juvenile justice system and be incarcerated as an adult, and more likely to need public benefits once they become adults.

While lead poisoning is a risk for many children, Black and Brown and low-income children are more likely to experience it.

Through our work and the work of partners, more light has been shed on this issue and the state’s leaders are responding.

In December 2022, the Ohio General Assembly appropriated $150 million of American Rescue Plan Act dollars for lead poisoning prevention following several years of increased but modest investments in prevention, intervention, and treatment. The new Lead Safe Ohio Program, which is part of Governor Mike DeWine's ongoing efforts to make more of Ohio's homes lead-safe for children and families, will invest that $150 million toward state and local efforts to prevent lead poisoning and remediate homes of contamination.

In January, Representative Andrea White (R-Kettering) and Representative Rachel Baker (D-Cincinnati) introduced House BiIl 388 which allows the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) to oversee the enforcement of the Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rule (RRP). RRP has been a federal rule since 2010 and requires contractors who are doing repair, renovation, or painting work in a home built before 1978, to do so in a manner that is lead safe and does not spread lead dust or paint chips. The rule is supposed to encourage safe working practices so that children are not incidentally exposed to paint dust or chips and poisoned. It is a key component in the primary prevention approach to lead poisoning. Unfortunately, due to lack of dedicated resources, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s enforcement of the rule is haphazard, and the agency often misses violations. States have the option of enforcing the rule, and 14 states have taken that option. Gov. DeWine has asked that the authority be given to ODH and HB 388 would do that. We support this bill and look forward to educating lawmakers on the importance of RRP and the benefits of statewide enforcement.

Just last week, the Ohio House of Representatives took an important step toward lead-free drinking water by passing House Bill 226 sponsored by Representative Dontavius Jarrells (D-Columbus) and Representative Monica Robb Blasdel (R-Columbiana County). HB 226 would allow utility companies regulated by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) to replace customer-owned water service lines and recoup the cost later. Conversely, customers who replace their water service lines can be reimbursed for that work. Replacing water service lines can be expensive, especially for low-income households. By allowing a water company to perform the replacement and recoup the cost over time, we can help ensure that more Ohioans have access to safe drinking water. The bill still needs to be considered by the Senate.

These investments and policy changes will help keep kids safe from lead exposure. Lead poisoning is a problem we can and must fix.