Ohio Republican lawmakers decided in August to cut lead abatement funds from $7.5 million to $250,000 for the 2026 fiscal year. The funds used to go toward investigating the source of lead exposure, preventing future exposures and educating the public about the dangers of lead.
The Ohio House of Representatives completely eliminated the Lead-Safe Home Fund Program as well. The program, according to Ohio's Department of Development website, states that the funding is crucial to the research of lead, as well as eliminating the threat of lead exposure in communities.
“Funds can be used for lead-safe building certification, screening and testing for lead poisoning, education and outreach, and early intervention for children and families impacted by lead,” the website says.
In cutting funding for lead abatement and zeroing out the Lead-Safe Home Fund Program, Republican lawmakers increased the lead abatement tax credit from $10,000 to $40,000.
Rep. Brian Stewart (R-Asheville) had a large role in leading House efforts and said the increase of tax credit encourages people to replace their own lead lines, as well as do their own testing.
“We put money back into the hands of folks doing this work versus continuing to throw money into government line items,” Stewart said in a press release.
Michele Morrone, a professor of environmental health and the former chief of Ohio EPA's Office of Environmental Education, said Athens has a high level of lead and people are most commonly exposed to lead through drinking water going through lead pipes.
Children are most vulnerable to lead exposure and research has shown developmental delays are associated with high levels of lead exposure, Morrone said. Adults are also likely to develop side effects or health impacts from lead, such as cardiovascular effects and high blood pressure, according to Morrone.
Children are especially a concern; however, if their developmental abilities are impaired, they may not recover.
Lead exposure can come through water, but it is common for old homes to be contaminated with lead paint and water lines. Morrone said homes built before 1975 have the highest potential to contain lead.
Patrick McGarry, the director of environmental health at the Athens County Health Department, said lead is definitely a concern, and everybody should be taking note of the potential of lead in their homes or rental properties.
“Any time you have the paint peeling, especially when it's in a dust form, there's definitely exposure risk,” McGarry said. “Primarily paint that would be subject to moving, so windows, or the prime example of doors, things that you're up and down, potentially, that paint can be peeling.”
Prevention is always better, Morrone said, as some effects may not be preventable for children. If someone does get exposed to lead, they can take a pill or injection containing the chemical agent chelation, which will bind to the lead chemicals, allowing their body to metabolize and excrete them.
If a child is on Medicaid, they are required to have an annual test for lead, especially if their zip code has high levels of lead. All zip codes in Athens County, including 45701, require blood testing for children less than 6 years old, according to the Ohio Department of Health. A diet of leafy greens can also help prevent lead from accumulating in the body, according to Morrone.
A well-known and recent case of lead exposure occurred in Flint, Michigan. City officials decided to pipe contaminated water from the Flint River, exposing 99,000 residents to lead and other harmful elements.
Morrone said Flint was a tragedy that did not need to happen. Lead exposure is preventable, and it also greatly affects those who are in low-income areas.
“I think lead exposure, in that case, and other cases around the country, shows it is an exposure that has disproportionately impacted people of color and low-income people,” Morrone said. “It becomes a health equity issue, and the Flint case is a monumental example of that situation.”
