Louisville Metro landlords have a new tool to help protect tenants from the dangers of lead poisoning. As of Dec. 1, the city’s Lead-Safe Housing Registry, managed by the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness, is now active. The registry aims to prevent lead exposure, particularly in vulnerable communities, by addressing lead hazards in rental properties.
“Lead poisoning is a preventable public health threat, and children in our underserved communities are especially impacted,” said Connie Mendel, Louisville’s Chief Health Strategist. Research highlights that children in Louisville’s northwest neighborhoods are nearly 10 times more likely to experience lead poisoning than others in the county.
This phased initiative targets long-term rental properties built before 1940 first, with compliance deadlines for properties built later. Property owners have up to a year to meet the registry’s requirements, ensuring tenants, especially children and pregnant individuals, live in safer, lead-free environments.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), no level of lead in the blood is considered safe. Lead exposure, often from paint, dust, soil or water, can cause serious health issues, including cognitive impairment, developmental delays and behavioral problems. Young children and pregnant individuals are particularly vulnerable, as lead can harm brain development and even lead to complications such as low birth weight or even miscarriage.
Dr. Brian Guinn, a public health expert at the University of Louisville, emphasized the registry’s significance: “Each year, more than 500 children in Louisville are found with elevated blood lead levels. This registry is a crucial step in addressing this ongoing epidemic.”
What does the registry require?
Under the new ordinance, rental property owners with homes built before 1978 must:
- Hire a Kentucky Certified Lead Risk Assessor to inspect properties for lead hazards.
- Address any lead hazards identified through certified abatement techniques.
- Provide current and prospective tenants with information about existing lead hazards and remediation plans.
- Register their properties and document inspections and hazard reduction efforts through the Lead-Safe Housing Registry.
Deadlines vary by property age:
- Pre-1940 homes: Register by November 30, 2025.
- 1940–1965 homes: Register by November 30, 2026.
- 1966–1978 homes: Register by November 30, 2027.
If a child or pregnant individual in a rental property is found to have elevated blood lead levels (EBLL), landlords must complete a lead hazard evaluation and submit a control report within 60 days, regardless of the property’s age.
To help landlords comply, the Lead-Safe Louisville Program offers grant funding to abate lead hazards in rental units. Property owners can visit Louisville Metro’s website for details on eligibility and funding opportunities.
From 2005 to 2021, nearly 10,000 children in Louisville tested positive for elevated blood-lead levels, with five ZIP codes—40203, 40210, 40211, 40212, and 40215—having the highest concentration of older housing stock.
“This registry is a key part of ensuring children grow up in safe, lead-free environments,” said Adria Johnson, President and CEO of Metro United Way. She said that the Lead-Safe Strategic Plan, set to launch in 2025, will further bolster efforts to eliminate lead hazards in Louisville.
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This article appears in Dec 4-17, 2024.