Code Attorney

At the Springfield conference, my topic was effective code enforcement programs. After hearing about all of the substantive issues involving healthy homes, it was really a privilege to be able to speak about how to accomplish our mutual goals.  There was a lot of frustration over the problems we are facing because budgets are being slashed, programs cancelled and properties are getting worse because of the foreclosure mess.  Despite this, it was important to find out that there are a lot of committed professionals who are forming partnerships to address these issues.  And, there are steps inspectors can take that don’t cost much money to implement, for example, making sure that renovators are certified in lead paint removal before issuing a building permit.  Who knows how many health problems children are spared because of this simple procedure? The training in Springfield was offered free of cost as were many of the publications.  I hope my readers will make use of the links I have created to find these organizations. I want to thank Eleanor Davis from the IDPH, Lead Paint Program, for inviting me to speak at the conference and giving me the opportunity to meet the other speakers.  I hope it will lead to even better enforcement opportunities.

One of the most interesting speakers at the Springfield conference was Dr. Catherine Karr, who is a pediatric environmental health specialist.  She reviewed a wide variety of home health hazards including lead paint, radon, mold, carbon monoxide, fire, and pests.  So many of these topics intersect with property maintenance and fire prevention enforcement.  She is a member of a group called PEHSU (Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units) which is a national network of academic-based centers of expertise that service health care providers, public health professionals, communities and families.  Asthma, for example, is a huge health problem for children and adults and is made worse by living in homes that have mold problems and pest infestation.  Illinois is included in the Great Lakes Centers’ Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit based at the University of Illinois at Chicago. All areas of the country are part of some regional unit. PEHSU is a great resource for information on all of these issues. When inspectors are dealing with a property where children live, the long term effects of the unhealthy conditions should be a top priority for enforcement.

Julie Morris from the EPA addressed the Springfield conference on “Lead-Based Paint, Renovation, Repair and Painting”.  She discussed the various rules and exclusions involved in renovating buildings that may have lead paint problems.  She encouraged people to let her know when someone violates these rules.  EPA receives complaints from a variety of sources, especially certified renovators who see illegal work being done by other companies.  There are a variety of resources available at http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/lscp-renov-materials.htm including some new publications on compliance and a new training guide on renovation. She mentioned that in Minnesota all building permits must be checked for RPP certification.

Lynne Page Snyder from NASCSP, the National Association for State Community Services Programs,  spoke about “weatherization plus health” at the Springfield conference.  Funds from the Department of Energy’s Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) and DHHS Community Services Block Grants are being used to assist low-income families to improve the energy efficiency of low-income homes.  NASCSP is a professional membership organization for the State and territorial administrators of these programs.  WAP’s mission is to reduce energy costs for low-income families, particularly for the elderly, people with disabilities, and children, while ensuring their health and safety.  While the weatherization assistance program is not specifically aimed at creating healthy homes, it can lead to fixing property maintenance problems.  For example, kitchen and bath exhaust fans may be installed to combat mold and moisture problems.  Window replacements may reduce lead paint hazards.  NASCSP has put on conferences around the country to try and connect organizations and do cross-training.  It is launching a public website soon that will map WAP and healthy homes programs nationwide.

When I am in court, my focus is on the safety of the building that is the subject of my prosecution.  I don’t know that I’ve paid that much attention to the effect that the problem with the property is having on the long term health of the residents.  It certainly has been a concern when there is an immediate hazard but otherwise I haven’t really concentrated on what the implications are to general health.  That is why it was wonderful to have the opportunity to meet professionals for whom this is a great concern.

Amy McLean Sales from the National Center for Healthy Housing spoke at the conference about the seven principles of healthy housing.  They are:

Dry: Damp houses provide a nurturing environment for mites, roaches, rodents, and molds, all of which are associated with asthma.

Clean: Clean homes help reduce pest infestations and exposure to contaminants.

Pest-Free: Recent studies show a causal relationship between exposure to mice and cockroaches and asthma episodes in children; yet inappropriate treatment for pest infestations can exacerbate health problems, since pesticide residues in homes pose risks for neurological damage and cancer.

Safe: The majority of injuries among children occur in the home. Falls are the most frequent cause of residential injuries to children, followed by injuries from objects in the home, burns, and poisonings.

Contaminant-Free: Chemical exposures include lead, radon, pesticides, volatile organic compounds, and environmental tobacco smoke. Exposures to asbestos particles, radon gas, carbon monoxide, and second-hand tobacco smoke are far higher indoors than outside.

Ventilated: Studies show that increasing the fresh air supply in a home improves respiratory health.

Maintained: Poorly-maintained homes are at risk for moisture and pest problems. Deteriorated lead-based paint in older housing is the primary cause of lead poisoning, which affects some 240,000 U.S. children.

These principles apply to many of the homes that have been the object of court cases I have handled.

Amy also showed statistics that communities of color are more likely to live in unhealthy housing. I would imagine a lot of the housing is rental property not maintained by the landlords.  I asked her about resources to help people in this economic environment to fix properties in need of repair but she is as frustrated as I am because of the lack of money available to help people who need assistance to fix a deteriorating property.  The grim reality is that if we don’t do something now, they will be the properties we will need to demolish 5 years or 10 years from now.