Amelia Guthrie scrawled in cursive on boxes that were still scattered around the home of this widow a week later, when she returned to discover new windows installed and lead-free paint.
Guthrie was unaware that her home in Pasadena, California, which she had lived for 30 years, might have been contaminated by lead. She also didn’t know the damage toxic paint can do to your nervous system and digestion. Her lively home was occupied for decades by her military-musician husband, son, and then a pair rambunctious grandchildren. Her husband’s ashes, and the murmur of a television are often her companions.
Guthrie was on a trip with her friend to avoid being alone. She learned of the problem in one go: The Lead Hazard Control Program in Harris County advertised their services to fix homes that were built before 1978 when lead paint was banned by federal law. Her living space was soon transformed into a caution zone, while contractors from the county fixed an issue she hadn’t noticed.
Guthrie says that she is now feeling better, even though she was unaware of the risks associated with lead exposure.
“I am blessed, I am blessed. “It’s one less thing for me,” Guthrie said. She lives on a fixed-income and many of her family members live in the Philippines.
Lead isn’t only found in house paint. It can be found in pipes, certain toys, spice, ceramics, cosmetics, jewelry and other products.
The only way lead can be dangerous is when it is consumed. Chipped or peeling paint, as well as paint on high-friction surfaces such as windows, doors and drawers, which could create dust contaminated with lead, are all causes for concern, especially in children. Lead Hazard Control Program funds are provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and more recently the American Rescue Plan of the Biden Administration to conduct tests on residences to determine if they contain lead-based painting hazards and to remedy them if necessary.
Leah Barton is the director of strategic initiatives for Harris County. She said that Harris County’s public health team had an existing lead screening program, but with limited funds. Recent funding from the America Rescue Plan, she said, gave it a boost of $20 million.
Guthrie, like many others, didn’t realize that the paint trim on her home should be carefully inspected. She has lived in her house since 1994. It was constructed in the 1940s.
Guthrie: “I knew about mold but not lead.” I’m lucky that my home has siding. It’s just the windows and door.
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