Lead-based paint remains in homes in cities nationwide, including many in Pennsylvania, despite long-standing awareness of health risks to young children.
So Hamilton Health Center, located in one of Harrisburg's most distressed neighborhoods, already does free lead-exposure screenings for children under six.
But a new partnership with the city will mean new equipment for the center to facilitate faster testing and response.
Instead of waiting weeks, parents will get results within minutes. They'll also answer questions and fill out paperwork with health workers to start the process of lead paint remediation, which the city does free for qualifying families (with a household income 80 percent or less than the city's $34,000 median).
Read the full version of this report at Keystone Crossroads' website. Keystone Crossroads is a new statewide public media initiative reporting on the challenges facing Pennsylvania's cities. WPSU is a participating station.
