Test the Children 

All children in CMHA units which were built before 1978 should be tested for exposure to lead. Since CMHA does not have the capacity to test children, the City of Cleveland Department of Public Health should be made responsible to expedite this testing including on site and after working hours testing opportunities.

Cleveland Director of of Public Health has offered many reasons why the CDPH should not test children for lead poisoning. He believes this is the duty of the private health care sector. 

Here are our recommendations.

1. Mayor Bibb could direct his director of public health to undertake a program to bring child lead testing to the children living in the 6,500 at risk apartments. 

2. Cleveland Department of Public Health and private sector health care providers should deploy mobile testing vans to CMHA properties to provide "finger prick" tests to CMHA children. Finger prick tests only require licensed medical professional and state approved testing machine. Results come back in 3-5 minutes. 

• If a finger prick test shows an elevated blood lead level, CDPH can make a referral to a health provider for a follow up venous test and...

• Based on the finger prick test, CDPH can refer the property to be inspected the unit, adjacent units, and common areas for lead hazards as required by the HUD Lead Safe Housing Rule. 

3. Lead safety advocates, social service providers, and child care providers can assist families whose children have EBLLs to follow through with their confirmation testing. If venous tests confirm an EBLL, the health care provider makes a referral to the Ohio Department of Health, then referred back to CDPH for additional counseling and inspection (if necessary under State law).