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Richland County health staff: lead testing responses provided for children; remediation costs fall to homeowners
Summary
County public-health staff told the committee the health department investigates elevated blood-lead cases in homes with children and provides guidance, but cleanup and remediation costs are typically the responsibility of property owners.
Brandy (public-health staff) told the Community and Health Services committee that the health department responds when a child has an elevated blood-lead level: staff will visit the home, conduct assessments and provide guidance on next steps when a child’s test shows elevated lead.
“Do we respond to homes if a child has been tested and has a reported elevated lead level?” a committee member asked. Brandy replied, “We do respond to homes if a child has been tested and has a reported elevated lead level. We don't go in and do any kind of remediation of homes unless it involves a child that had the child has a blood lead level that's elevated.”
When asked who pays for lead cleanup, Brandy said, “My understanding is that would fall on homeowners,” and noted that the health department can share lists of lead-remediation resources and referrals to possible programs but does not itself fund the cleanup.
Committee members discussed that adults-only homes typically are not addressed by the health department in the same way as homes with children. Staff said they will look into resource lists and past information shared by county staff for remediation assistance and funding referrals.
No ordinance or county-funded remediation program was proposed or adopted at the meeting.
