City Hall: EPA lead inspection sweep in city, info sessions on lead poisoning planned

Apr. 5—THE ENVIRONMENTAL Protection Agency will conduct a lead inspection sweep in Manchester and surrounding communities to identify areas of higher risk and to prevent childhood lead poisoning.

Children are more vulnerable to lead's effects, which include damage to the brain and nervous system.

Homes built before 1978 are likely to contain lead paint. The EPA's lead paint initiative aims to reduce childhood lead exposure through increased awareness and improved compliance with federal lead paint requirements, in particular the Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) and Lead Disclosure Rules.

"If you live somewhere built before 1978, which is quite possible in New England, be aware and share with family and friends how toxic old lead paint chips and dust can be for yourselves and your children," said EPA New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash in a statement.

"Infants and children are especially vulnerable to lead exposure, which can cause lifelong impacts including developmental impairment, learning disabilities, impaired hearing, reduced attention span, hyperactivity, and behavioral problems," said Iain Watt, Interim Director of New Hampshire's Division of Public Health Services.

Under the EPA's Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule, if lead-painted surfaces might be disturbed at a job site, individual renovators must complete an initial eight-hour accredited training course and the company or firm they work for must be certified by the EPA.

The requirements help ensure companies take responsibility for their employees following proper lead-safe work practices by containing and managing lead dust and chips created during such projects.

In May 2023, city aldermen and former mayor Joyce Craig created a commission to examine and address the problem of childhood lead poisoning in Manchester. In New Hampshire, the Conservation Law Foundation reports that "nowhere is lead poisoning more prevalent than in Manchester, where every year approximately 100 children are diagnosed with elevated levels of lead in their blood."

The Lead Exposure Prevention Commission will develop recommendations for a long-term strategy to prevent childhood lead poisoning in the Queen City; promote efforts to prevent lead exposure in residences, particularly for minors living in rental units; and review existing ordinances to determine if and how they should be amended to prevent incidents of childhood lead poisoning.

In the Queen City, almost three-quarters of the housing was built before lead paint was banned, and 86 children tested in 2021 had elevated lead levels.

The commission is expected to assess progress in preventing childhood lead poisoning on an annual basis by monitoring lead poisoning rates and the extent of lead exposure in existing housing in the city. In addition to submitting reports to city aldermen every six months, the commission will hold meetings and hearings and publicize and report on its activities.

"The city of Manchester is committed to ensuring that all children have the opportunity to thrive. Healthy housing is one part of that equation," Mayor Jay Ruais said in a statement.

Field staff will check to confirm that landlords, including property management and real estate companies, are disclosing the presence of lead-based paint and/or lead-based paint hazards to prospective tenants of buyers.

Lead disclosures are required under Section 1018 of the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act before the lease or sale of most housing built before 1978.

More information is available at epa.gov/lead.

Two public events to address lead poisoning will be held in Manchester in April.

The events, featuring presentations by Manchester Public Health, will be held Tuesday from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Beech Street Elementary School, and May 7 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Parkside Middle School.

Presentations will introduce parents and families to the possible lead hazards in their homes, encourage early childhood testing and explain the necessary actions and available services following a positive test.

The Manchester Lead Exposure Prevention Commission seeks to have all children from ages 1 to 6 years old tested on a periodic basis. Although early childhood testing is the first defense in the crisis, the rate of testing children ages 1 to 6 years old has significantly fallen since the pandemic, and the majority of Manchester's children in the susceptible age group are untested.

Both events are free to the public. Question and answer sessions with Manchester Public Health will follow the presentations. Refreshments will be served, and child care is available for families. Interpretation services will be offered.

The events are co-sponsored by the Granite State Organizing Project (GSOP) and the Unitarian Universalist Church of Manchester. For more information and to RSVP for child care, call GSOP at 603-668-8250.

Taco Tour coming

Local actor Elias Kacavas will be the Grand Marshal for this year's Taco Tour, which kicks off at 4 p.m. on May 2, the Greater Manchester Chamber announced.

Kacavas, born and raised in Manchester, is known for his roles in "Euphoria," "My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3" and "Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin."

"We are delighted to have Elias Kacavas as our Grand Marshal for Taco Tour Manchester 2024," said Cole Riel, Director of Taco Tour Manchester, in a statement. "His infectious energy and genuine love for his hometown make him an ideal ambassador for this event. We can't wait for him to lead the festivities and share in the excitement with residents and visitors."

First held in 2011, the Taco Tour draws more than 20,000 food lovers to the city each year.

More than 60 restaurants will showcase their culinary twists on the taco. Each one is $3, with some 2 or $5 deals.

As grand marshal, Kacavas will eat the first taco at a ceremony at the Greater Manchester Chamber.

"I am honored to be named the Grand Marshal of Taco Tour Manchester 2024," Kacavas said in a statement. "Manchester holds a special place in my heart, and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to celebrate this vibrant community and its cuisine with attendees."

More information on the event and sponsorship opportunities are available at Tacotourmanchester.com

Paul Feely is the City Hall reporter for the New Hampshire Union Leader and Sunday News. Reach him at pfeely@unionleader.com.