HomeMy WebLinkAboutLead Hazard Reduction Order
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LEAD HAZARD REDUCTION
ORDER
ON THE WATER
September 27, 2004
Michael Gehlar
417 Oak Crest Dr.
Oshkosh, WI 54904
RE: 437 W 4th Ave.
Dear Michael:
The Oshkosh Health Services Division on September 27, 2004, performed an Elevated Blood Lead
(EBL) Investigation on your property, located at the above referenced address. The purpose of the
EBL Investigation was to determine and report the existence, nature, and location of lead
hazards in or on the premises, as it relates to a confirmed elevated blood lead level in a child
who resides at this address. Chapter 15 of the Municipal Code allows the Health Services Division
to conduct an EBL Investigation at the premises where a child, six years of age or younger, who has
been lead poisoned resides.
The presence of lead bearing paint/varnish on surfaces of a premise may constitute a health hazard
especially for children under age seven. Ingestion oflead bearing paint/varnish dust and/or chips
are the most common causes of childhood lead poisoning. When lead bearing painted and/or
varnished surfaces are peeling, flaking, chipping, subject to friction, or cracking, they present
potential health hazards. The continuous intake of lead into the body may cause developmental
delays, hyperactivity, behavior disorders, hearing loss, anemia, growth failure, neurological
problems, mental retardation, and in rare cases even death.
A visual assessment plus nondestructive lead testing was conducted on painted and/or varnished
surfaces at the above premises using a portable x-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyzer and/or lead check
swabs. In some cases, paint chips, dust, and/or soil samples may have been submitted for analysis.
A copy of the complete EBL Investigation results are enclosed. The investigation indicated the
presence oflead hazards at this premise. The following areas have been determined to be a lead
hazard, that is, they contain lead bearing paint and/or varnish and are in disrepair due to cracking,
chipping, peeling and/or are subject to friction and are in need oflead hazard reduction activities,
per Section 15-25 of the Oshkosh Municipal Code.
EBL INVESTIGATION POST INSPECTION LETTERdoc rev 10-02
The only component that tested positive for lead in your property was a srnall decorative window
hanging between the living room and porch. As discussed you may seal the window with shellac
or repaint to contain any lead present in the paint.
Prior to using water fì:om the tap it is suggested that you allow the cold water to run until there is a
drop in the temperature you can feel on your hand. Never use hot tap water to prepare food as hot
water will leach lead out of pipes. There rnay be a lead service to the water in your home. The City
of Oshkosh does not test water for lead, but Badger Labs in Neenah does for a fee. Call 1(800) 776-
7196 for information on how to collect a sample and pricing. Imported dishes can contain lead in
the glaze, do not let children eat foods out of imported dishes. Hot food or high acid food will leach
more lead out of dishware.
When refinishing old furniture, remove clothing prior to entering living quarters, do not allow
children to be present in the area and shower to remove lead dust fì:om yourself prior to having
contact with children or preparing meals. Take precautions to prevent lead poisoning yourself.
Talk with each other to see if you can remember any event that would have put lead-bearing dust in
the house.
It is important for you to understand that the testing performed on your property was not
comprehensive. Our responsibility is to identify lead hazards that exist on the premises related to
an EBL Investigation, not to do a complete analysis of every painted surface in the home. Our
inspection focused on those areas most commonly found to contain lead bearing paint/varnish and
areas in disrepair. Any area not specifically mentioned in this report would be your responsibility to
have tested, if necessary, in the future to determine if it contains lead bearing paint/varnish. Please
note that compliance with the above orders may not be sufficient to meet the standards to obtain a
lead-safe certificate in the future. The State Department of Health and Family Services (DHFS) may
require you to obtain a 12 month lead safe certificate as required in Chapter 254 of the State Statutes.
Please feel fì:ee to contact the Oshkosh Health Services Division if you have any questions regarding
this matter.
~~~~
Sandra Knutson
Sanitarian
236-5027
cc: Oshkosh Inspection Services Division
enc: Lead Poisoning, Prevention, and Control Ordinance
Lead Risk Asseooment Results Form
EBL INVESTIGATION POST INSPECTION LETTER.doc rev 10-02