5181.0: Wednesday, November 15, 2000 - 3:15 PM

Abstract #8380

Evaluation of the efficacy of Maryland's required independent visual inspection to determine completion of prescribed lead hazard reduction treatments

Jack Anderson, Jill Breysse, CIH, Sherry Dixon, PhD, Warren Galke, PhD, and Jonathan Wilson. The National Center for Lead-Safe Housing, 10227 Wincopin Circle, Suite 205, Columbia, MD 21044

The purpose of this study--which is part of a larger evaluation of Maryland's lead law (House Bill 760)--was to evaluate the efficacy of the law's requirement that only an independent visual assessment, not clearance dust testing, be conducted to determine if lead hazards have been sufficiently reduced following completion of the law's prescribed lead hazard reduction treatments. Two methods were utilized to evaluate this requirement: (1) Dust lead loading results for post-intervention samples collected from floors, window sills and window troughs in 121 Baltimore city housing units were compared with several Federal and state abatement clearance standards and guidance levels; (2) Study inspectors conducted a second visual assessment in each unit to confirm the outcome of the required independent visual inspection. Although dust lead loadings were significantly reduced by the law's prescribed lead hazard reduction treatments, many units had at least one floor, sill or trough result that would have "failed" clearance dust testing had it been required by House Bill 760. More importantly, although each unit passed the independent visual inspection and was considered in compliance with the standard, 93 percent "failed" the study inspectors' confirmatory visual assessment for at least one of the law's prescribed treatments. These results suggest that interventions undertaken in these units did not completely address House Bill 760's prescribed treatment requirements and more strongly suggest that, in the absence of clearance dust testing, independent visual inspections are insufficient to identify lead hazard reduction "failures."

Learning Objectives: Participants can use the information in this presentation to demonstrate that visual inspection alone is insufficient to determine the effectiveness of lead hazard reduction treatments. Participants will recognize the vital role of clearance dust testing in determining whether housing is lead-safe and can use this inforamtion to identify strengths and weaknesses in local and state policies concerning clearance testing

Keywords: Lead, Policy/Policy Development

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: This presentation uses data collected by Baltimore Healthy Start program staff with funding provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

The 128th Annual Meeting of APHA