Landlords, officials say stateâs lead inspection laws need clarification
- By Bill Seymour Special to The Independent
While short-term rental landlords are exempt from lead inspection requirements, state officials are ramping up warnings to ensure some other owners of older homes comply with lead inspection laws.
This mandate is tied to the state registration law for rental properties, with lead inspections now piggybacking on the process. If inspections uncover lead-based materials, like paint, owners will be placed on mandatory clean-up lists.
The bigger question remains: Are landlords adhering to these self-reporting laws for their rental properties? The simple answer is that there is no way to know. Nonetheless, state and local officials say that compliance is critical to tackling the devastating issue of children exposed to lead poisoning.
Lead poisoning remains a serious problem for children, parents, and others in the state.
âWe know we have significant work to do. Rhode Island has the second highest rate of children under the age of 6 with severe lead poisoning in New England,â Attorney General Peter F. Neronha, State Rep. Mia Ackerman (D-45 Cumberland, Lincoln), and State Sen. Dawn Euer (D-13 Newport, Jamestown) said in a May public statement.
In the local area, many old homes have lead-based paint that was once a primary component in paint. It is known to be particularly harmful to children, especially in causing various developmental problems.
Workers may be exposed to harmful levels of lead, which can cause serious health risks. Lead dust can be hard to see. Even a small amount of lead is dangerous for young children.
Exposure to lead affects a childâs ability to grow, think, learn, relax, and bond, state officials say.
https://www.independentri.com/news/article_0a1231d2-b7ff-11ef-8f76-f39c14195375.html
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