State officials are considering revoking the Cleveland’s public health department’s authority to conduct lead poisoning investigations. Since 2005, only one Ohio city has had its power to carry out its own lead poisoning program canceled by the State. According to The Plain Dealer’s recent series, “ Toxic Neglect,” Cleveland’s lead program appears to be chronically under-staffed. The paper’s analysis revealed that fewer than half of the reported residences associated with poisoning cases were inspected and even when hazards were found they weren’t always fixed.
Sarah Jane Tribble, Ideastream Health Reporter/Producer
Rachel Dissell, Reporter, The Plain Dealer
Brie Zeltner, Reporter, The Plain Dealer
Kim Foreman, Director of Environmental Health Watch
Gary Kirkmire, City of Rochester, Director of Inspection & Compliance Services