Lead Safe South Bend

Nearly 80% of South Bend homes were built prior to 1980 and are therefore likely to contain lead paint. In South Bend, the largest source of lead poisoning in children is lead paint in older homes, however City water is not a source of lead exposure and is regularly tested for cleanliness and safety.

In Saint Joseph County, less than 10% of children under 7 have been tested for lead poisoning in the last ten years (2005-2015). This is far below the CDC recommendation for universal testing. Of those tested in the last ten years, nearly 10% had elevated blood lead levels. Seven census tracts have rates of elevated blood lead levels greater than 20%, with one census tract as high as 36%–the highest in the state.

Higher rates of elevated blood lead levels are typically found in areas with older homes and a high number of homes in poverty, typically near the city center. You can check your neighborhood’s risk using the Indiana State Department of Health Website.

Children under 6 years old should be tested regularly for lead exposure. Regardless of risk, the CDC recommends testing children at 12 and 24 months.

Children 6 and under who live in St. Joseph county can receive free lead testing from the South Bend Medical Foundation. Contact the St. Joseph County Health Department at (574) 245-6755 for more information.

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If your home is older than 1978, some basic cleaning practices will significantly reduce the likelihood of lead poisoning. For more information see the EPA’s recommendations and cleaning guidelines.

When old paint cracks and peels, it makes lead dust. Lead dust is so small you cannot see it. Children get lead poisoning from swallowing dust on their hands and toys.

• Use wet paper towels to clean up lead dust regularly.
• Clean around windows, play areas, and floors regularly.
• Wash hands and toys often with soap and water. Always wash hands before eating and sleeping.
• Use contact paper or duct tape to cover chipping or peeling paint.

Lead can also be found in the soil as a result of chipping and peeling lead paint on the exterior of homes and leaded gasoline. Children get lead poisoning from swallowing dirt on their hands and toys or breathing in lead from dust.

• Plant grass or spread mulch on bare soil. Encourage children to play on covered surfaces.
• Use raised beds for gardening. Cover sand boxes and other soil play areas.
• Use doormats to wipe dirt off shoes. Remove shoes before entering the house.
• Mop floors to pick up dust, using a two-bucket system with clean rinse water. Or use products like Swiffer to pick up dust and dirt from outside.

Before performing home repairs that disturb paint, test paint for lead. If your house was built before 1978, assume paint contains lead. Consider hiring a lead-certified contractor for large repairs. See EPA guidelines for DIY repair for more information.

• Protect yourself: wear a certified disposable respirator with HEPA filter and protective clothing that is laundered separately from household items.
• Work safely: Seal off project area using heavy-duty plastic sheeting and tape. Close surrounding windows and doors to prevent spread of lead dust.
• Minimize dust: use wet sanding equipment, misters, HEPA filter attachments on power sanders and grinders, and a HEPA filter vacuum to clean work area, tools and clothing.

You can live safely with lead in your home. A risk assessment will provide you with information about any lead risks that may be present, as well as recommendations for how to address them.

The St. Joseph County Health Department conducts free lead risk assessments in homes with children under the age of 7, homes where pregnant women reside, or homes where a lead-poisoned child has already been identified.

To schedule a lead risk assessment or to get more information about lead poisoning, contact the Health Department at (574) 235-9582.

Households enrolled in the grant will have a risk assessment done at no cost to them.

The City of South Bend has grant funding available to eligible applicants for lead abatement or interim controls that make your housing safer. Property owners and landlords that rent to income-qualified tenants may qualify for grants. Eligibility requirements include: i) South Bend housing unit built before 1978, ii) households that income qualify, and iii). households with children under 6 years old or that have children under 6 frequently visiting, or a pregnant woman lives in the house.*

* Addressing lead in houses where a child under 6 can be exposed is a priority, however units without a child under 6 may still be eligible (including vacant rentals). These units are considered low-priority and will only be assisted if funding is available and does not impact the ability to assist units with a child. Low-priority units will be placed on a waiting list and contacted in the event funding is available.

If you are interested in the Lead Protection Program, and believe that you meet the eligibility requirements, you can reach out to the City with interest by completing the online interest form, emailing LeadGrants@southbendin.gov, or by calling 574-235-5821.

If you are uncertain if you meet the income eligibility requirement, feel free to apply and the City will complete a review based on the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development income qualification criteria.  An applicant will need to submit required documentation, along with a program application, to determine eligibility, view the list of application documentation requirements.  An application can be obtained by contacting the City