Insights into the Slow Uptake of Residential Lead Paint Remediation Funds: A Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Case Study

Abstract

Lead poisoning is a preventable condition that continues to affect thousands of children each year. Given that local governments and municipalities are eligible to apply for federal funds to perform lead remediation in low-income family homes, we sought to understand how lead poisoning knowledge levels may affect the uptake of these funds. We recruited and conducted 28 in-depth, semi-structured interviews with community members from Lancaster County in the state of Pennsylvania in the USA. We audio-recorded and transcribed each interview, and analyzed each transcript for salient themes. The interviewed participants displayed a varying degree of knowledge about lead and lead poisoning. Most of the participants were unaware of the lead paint remediation funds. Participants learned about lead from various sources, such as social media, and personal experiences with lead poisoning appeared to enhance knowledge. Some participants assumed lead poisoning prevention would be addressed by other stakeholders if necessary, including healthcare professionals and landlords. The results of this study suggest that in order to increase the timely uptake of the remediation funds, community-based organizations should design interventions that aim to increase awareness and knowledge about lead poisoning and lead poisoning prevention. These interventions should be tailored for different audiences including community members, healthcare professionals, and landlords.

Assessing the effect of four types of direct mail messages to promote the uptake of residential lead remediation funds

“…Housing tenure has been identified as a risk factor for lead poisoning [ 12 ], and the low event rate observed among tenants in this study suggests children in rental homes continue to be at risk of lead exposure. Previous studies in Lancaster have identified tenants’ lack of autonomy and low interest to improve temporary housing as factors limiting the enrollment into programs that would mitigate exposure to household lead hazards [ 17 , 33 ]. Children of individuals who rent homes are 3.2 times more likely to have blood lead levels ≥10 μg/dL [ 34 ].…”

“…Typically, eligible owner-occupied homes do not have to contribute towards remediation costs, however landlords are required to contribute, minimally. A previous study conducted in the City of Lancaster (CoL), reported that a majority of the residents were unaware of the RLR funds, or possessed limited information about the program [ 17 ]. Furthermore, Allegheny county, PA may have missed an opportunity to apply for additional RLR funds because they were unable to meet their quota of homes in a previous funding cycle [ 18 ].…”