Remediation phase of lead paint cleanup to begin

PROVIDENCE – Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch announced this week the remediation phase of the statewide lead safety program, slated to include the cleanup of as many as 600 housing units contaminated by lead paint.
At a press conference Monday, Lynch said the work is presently going out to bid. DuPont Corp. is funding the Healthy Kids Collaborative, which is spearheading the effort, as the result of a 2005 agreement in which the company agreed to help foot the bill for cleanup costs and make charitable contributions.
The launching of the remediation phase of the program represents the collaborative’s second major initiative and follows the awarding of $1.2 million in grants to six local organizations to combat lead poisoning announced last December.
Showcasing a Smith Hill home where remediation work has been performed, Lynch said that the work will target 600 low-income homes that otherwise could not afford the cleanup costs.
DuPont was originally part of the lawsuit filed by the state against lead paint manufacturers, but was dropped after pledging money for cleanup and community grants. Three companies were found liable in the 2006 case, but had the judgments overturned in July.