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LEAD RISK TO CHILDREN TACKLED IN COLUMBUS, OHIO DRINKING WATER
Release Date: 09/29/2000
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FOR RELEASE: FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2000
LEAD RISK TO CHILDREN TACKLED IN COLUMBUS, OHIO DRINKING WATER
On Sept. 26, an innovative program was launched in Columbus, Ohio to improve protection of children most at risk of poisoning from lead in the drinking water supply. A Project XL agreement was signed with the Columbus Division of Water which will allocate $300,000 annually for 15 years to the Columbus Health Department’s Lead Safe Columbus program. These funds will help provide free blood screening, testing for
children under age six living in homes having tap water lead excesses, an extensive public education effort and grants to help deal with lead hazards in low and moderate income homes. The water agency proposed the innovative approach as part of EPA’s Project XL for Communities to demonstrate a community-designed and directed strategy for achieving environmental and health improvement consistent with community economic goals. Simultaneously, the federal and state environmental agencies are providing the Columbus Division of Water with flexibility from Safe Drinking Water Act regulations. Requirements for testing and replacement of leaded water lines are being suspended for three years, on the condition that the city make every effort, even beyond those already planned, to tackle lead in drinking water issues aggressively and to assure that the risks do not increase.
R-140 ###
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