MIDDLETOWN, Ohio — A multi-million dollar effort to keep you from getting lead poisoning is underway across the state. Local counties are getting grants so crews can fix lead problems on walls, doors and windows.
Andrew Smith knew his house needed a new paint job, but he had no idea the house his family lived in for more than 20 years was covered in poisonous lead.
“I don't know what effect it may have had on our on our health, living in that environment, but I do know my wife is a seven year cancer survivor. She's battling some serious cancer again, and I have some some issues going on with my health," Smith said.
He found out it was lead paint peeling after the hundred year old Middletown house caught the attention of the city and Bob Didion, the housing programs coordinator for a non-profit group called SELF.
The group brought in teams of contractors fix the lead problem, whether it’s on the doors, pipes, windows or walls.
“They’re going to go in and enclose all the paint, we're not going to remove it, we're going to enclose it, trap it in there so it's never a hazard again. and then we'll put the new vinyl siding over the top," Didion said.
Didion says the county received a $2 million state grant to do the work, and they plan to use the money on at least 35 houses in Butler County.
It’s one of the counties in a state wide effort to remove household lead and keep people from getting sick.
"Just how grateful we are and how blessed we are to have them to come forward to help us," Smith said.
If your house was built before 1978, your house might also be eligible for the statewide initiative.