Comprehensive Lead-Based Paint Management for the Philadelphia Housing Authority
The Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) currently houses approximately 80,000 people in the City of Philadelphia. Most of Philadelphia’s properties were built before 1978, when lead-based paint was routinely used. Since 1978, a large majority of PHA’s properties have been renovated, but many pre-1978 properties remain. The PHA has contracted with Batta Environmental to conduct lead-based paint and lead hazard inspections, training, testing and monitoring activities within various PHA properties over the next five years.
Batta is providing large scale – comprehensive Lead-Based Paint Management Services inclusive of 1) Lead Paint Risk Assessments, 2) Lead Paint Inspections, 3) Dust Hazard Evaluations and 4) Renovation, Repair-Painting (RRP) Oversight for The Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA). Philadelphia’s Housing Authority is the fourth-largest Housing Agency in the nation – Caring for more than 80,000 residents located all over the City of Philadelphia. The Housing Authority is responsible for protecting its City tenants, property owners, and employees from lead poisoning under the HUD rule. Together Batta and PHA work together to limit Lead exposure by detecting and reducing the lead content in house dust, paint and soil.
Our large pool of certified and trained Lead Risk Assessors/Inspectors, Lead Dust Wipe Technicians and RRP personnel have more than 200 + years of relevant experience. The team works quickly and efficiently from our Philadelphia locations to be ultra-responsive; all Lead-based Paint Analysis is done through our in-house independent laboratory, BATTA Laboratories, who is accredited through the National Lead Laboratory Accreditation Program (NLLAP).
BATTA Environmental Associates frequently works with the Philadelphia Housing Authority, as well as various other public agencies. We strive to provide thorough reports, responsive service, and quick turnaround on all projects we play a role in.
Our Team always listens carefully to the needs of PHA and structures work plans accordingly to meet all HUD and PHA deadlines. Below is a comprehensive list of the services we provide to the Housing Authority:
LEAD-HAZARD RISK ASSESSMENTS
A Lead Risk Assessment (RA) is an on-site investigation to determine the presence, type, severity, and location of lead-based paint hazards (including lead hazards in paint, dust, and soil) and provides suggested ways to control them. For each identified paint, soil, or dust hazard, a recommended corrective action is provided. The two types of corrective actions are 1 – abatement which is a permanent long-term solution or 2 – interim control which is a shorter-term solution. Batta is providing RAs to hundreds of PHA properties per month.
LEAD-BASED PAINT INSPECTIONS
BATTA completes LBP Inspections in response to PHA pre-construction or renovation needs. Inspections are performed in units and common areas and generally follow construction and/or renovation scope of work. Inspections are also performed in response to Lead Hazard Controls or Lead Reduction for construction/renovation projects. BATTA quickly dispatches Lead Dust Wipe Clearance Technicians throughout the City to visit Conventional and Scattered properties. Dust wipe samples are secured from floors, window sills, and window troughs and are brought back to Batta Laboratories for immediate analysis. Our Management provides lab data and interpretations to PHA in less than 12 hours. This level of rapid response allows PHA to effectively manage tenant relocation’s.
ENVIRONMENTAL INVESTIGATIONS
The purpose of this Environmental Investigation (EI) is to determine the existence of lead-based paint and lead based paint hazards at a subject property which houses a child under the age of six (6) resides. An EI will determine the location, type, and severity of existing or potential health hazards associated with exposures to lead paint. Many different factors can be contributed to the child’s Elevated Blood Lead (EBL) levels which are identified in an EI Final Report; The report will identify the areas that pose a hazard of lead exposer.
If you suspect you have lead in your home or environment, we can help.
![Skip to main content HUD Email Icon HUD RSS Icon HUD Flicker Icon HUD Facebook Icon HUD Youtube Icon HUD Twitter Icon HUD Instagram Icon About HUD Program Offices Resources Contact Us Información en Español HUD Logo HUD Search Icon SECRETARY OF HUD WHAT WE DO PRESS ROOM HUMANS OF HUD Home / Program Offices / Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes / Healthy Homes for Healthy Families / About Lead-based Paint About Lead-Based Paint Lead is a highly toxic metal that may cause a range of health problems, especially in young children. When lead is absorbed into the body, it can cause damage to the brain and other vital organs, like the kidneys, nerves and blood. [Photo: baby]Lead may also cause behavioral problems, learning disabilities, seizures and in extreme cases, death. Some symptoms of lead poisoning may include headaches, stomachaches, nausea, tiredness and irritability. Children who are lead poisoned may show no symptoms. Both inside and outside the home, deteriorated lead-paint mixes with household dust and soil and becomes tracked in. Children may become lead poisoned by: Putting their hands or other lead-contaminated objects into their mouths, Eating paint chips found in homes with peeling or flaking lead-based paint, or Playing in lead-contaminated soil Take a moment to look at the brochure "Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home" for additional information (available in English, Spanish, Russian, Vietnamese, Somali and Arabic). What can you do? If your home was built before 1978: Wipe down flat surfaces, like window sills, with a damp paper towel and throw away the paper towel, Mop smooth floors (using a damp mop) weekly to control dust, Take off shoes when entering the house Vacuum carpets and upholstery to remove dust, If possible, use a vacuum with a HEPA filter or a "higher efficiency" collection bag, Pick up loose paint chips carefully with a paper towel and discard in the trash, then wipe the surface clean with a wet paper towel, Take precautions to avoid creating lead dust when remodeling, renovating or maintaining your home, Test for lead hazards by a lead professional. (Have the soil tested too). For your child: Have your child's blood lead level tested at age 1 and 2. Children from 3 to 6 years of age should have their blood tested, if they have not been tested before and: They live in or regularly visit a house built before 1950, They live in or regularly visit a house built before 1978 with on-going or recent renovations or remodeling They have a sibling or playmate who has or did have lead poisoning Frequently wash your child's hands and toys to reduce contact with dust, Use cold tap water for drinking and cooking Avoid using home remedies (such as arzacon, greta, pay-loo-ah, or litargirio) and cosmetics (such as kohl or alkohl) that contain lead Certain candies, such as tamarindo candy jam products from Mexico, may contain high levels of lead in the wrapper or stick. Be cautious when providing imported candies to children Some tableware, particularly folk terra cotta plates and bowls from Latin America, may contain high levels of lead that can leach into food. Just In *NEW* Policy Guidance 2017-04, OLHCHH Grant Procurement Standards *NEW* Resources/Tools for Home Inspectors Want More Information? Get the Lead Brochure Reducing Lead Hazards When Remodeling Your Home (Spanish) The Lead Paint Safety Field Guide La Seguridad con la pintura de plomo ("The Lead Paint Safety Field Guide" in Spanish) Help Yourself to a Healthy Home- Booklet Healthy Homes Program Brochure 7 Steps to a Healthy Home Federal Lead Paint Hazards Strategy About Allergies About Asthma About Carbon Monoxide About Home Safety About Integrated Pest Management About Mold About Radon Related Information Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Environmental Protection Agency The National Lead Information Center U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety & Health Administration U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Subscribe RSS Flickr Facebook Icon Youtube Icon Twitter Icon Instagram Icon Secretary of HUD What We Do Press Room About HUD Program Offices Resources Sitemap Busque Información en Español Accessibility Contact Info Privacy Policy FOIA A-Z Index Web Management and Web Policies Inspector General No Fear Act PaymentAccuracy.gov Download Nuance PDF Reader to view PDF files footer-icons U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development | 451 7th Street S.W., Washington, DC 20410 Telephone: (202) 708-1112 TTY: (202) 708-1455 Find the address of the HUD office near you](https://battaenv.com/wp-content/uploads/PHA-WRITE-UP-700x285.png)