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Philly should take the lead to protect its children from lead

To protect its children from lead contamination, Philadelphia should make responsible parties, including contractors, pay for the additional inspectors needed to police the work.

Melissa Billingsley, a state licensed risk assessor for Criterion Laboratories, takes a soil sample in a yard located on the 2600 block of East Thompson street, on December 12, 2016. The yard tested high for lead.
Melissa Billingsley, a state licensed risk assessor for Criterion Laboratories, takes a soil sample in a yard located on the 2600 block of East Thompson street, on December 12, 2016. The yard tested high for lead.Read more--- Jessica Griffin / Staff Photographer

Philadelphians live with lead in their air and soil long after scientists warned the heavy metal is unsafe. Some contamination is unavoidable, but steps can be taken to protect public health.

Even small amounts of lead can stunt children's neurological development. Lead may come from paint in an older house or apartment, contaminated dust blowing the wind, or water or soil in a backyard.

As part of their Toxic City series, reporters Wendy Ruderman, Barbara Laker, and Dylan Purcell tested soil in 114 parks, yards, playgrounds, and other sites in Kensington, Port Richmond, and Fishtown, which once hosted a high concentration of lead smelters. Three of every four sites tested had hazardous lead levels.

Harder to find was a government entity that accepts full responsibility for protecting children living in the formerly industrial neighborhoods.

The federal Environmental Protection Agency has some jurisdiction over construction that might disperse lead, but the EPA hasn't met its responsibility. And it probably won't. With President Trump proposing a 32 percent cut in the EPA's budget and pollution enabler Scott Pruitt at its helm, that agency is in a nosedive.

That means the city and state should address lead contamination. But the city lacks jurisdiction over soil contamination and enough inspectors to enforce air quality measures. Meanwhile, the state acts like a passive bystander.

Last year, the city tightened its dust containment rules. But it only required developers demolishing buildings 40 feet or taller to get a dust control permit and submit a dust abatement plan before demolition.

It's clear now that smaller demolition jobs, including rowhouses, which has become common in the changing river wards, must be subject to regulation too. With a mere four inspectors, the city can do little more than respond to complaints now. It needs to increase the size of that staff.

The investigative reporters said contractors didn't always know their work was spewing lead-laden dust on surrounding properties. Contractors just need to hose down sites or use equipment with a vacuum to suck up particles. But some won't do that if they know they aren't being monitored.

The EPA requires contractors renovating pre-1978 housing stock to be schooled in safe work practices when lead is found and to keep the contaminated building's owners informed. But the EPA doesn't require informing neighbors.

That means the city needs to fill that information gap. It should require contractors to show proof of EPA certification and to inform both building owners and neighbors of work that could disturb lead paint and lead-infused soil. A dust containment plan should be required before granting a building permit.

The city is considering requiring dust abatement classes for demolition contractors and cloth-covered fences to keep dust from blowing from work sites into yards. That makes sense. Ultimately, it’s up to Philadelphia to protect its children. If that means charging contractors fees to cover monitoring to limit lead contamination, then so be it.