May 23, 2023 Reducing Lead Exposures in Early Learning Centers Join Women for a Healthy Environment (WHE) on Tuesday, May 30 for a free webinar focusing on deep cleaning information and resources for early learning centers. During this session, attendees will learn more about the WHE lending library for cleaning equipment. Early learning providers in southwest PA are encouraged to attend. When: Tuesday, 5/30 | 6 – 7:30 p.m. Register Check out the webinar flyer for more information.
April 12, 2023 Allegheny County Conservation District to Offer Free Soil Lead Screenings In partnership with Grow Pittsburgh, the Allegheny County Conservation District (ACCD) will offer free soil lead screenings to interested county residents from April 19 – April 22. About Soil Lead Screening Contaminants are common in urban soil and can be hazardous to health when ingested or inhaled. With increased interest in backyard gardening, revitalization of vacant lot space, community green space, and play yard construction, residents in Allegheny County may come into greater contact with soil. Soil testing can establish risk of exposure to contaminants in soil and lead to risk reduction. Participate in Soil Lead Screening To participate in the free soil lead screening: Register for the free soil lead screening on Eventbrite at ACCDSoilScreenSpring23.eventbrite.com. Registration is required. Confirm your registration when contacted by ACCD and receive detailed instructions on how to collect, label, and drop off your soil samples. Collect and label your soil samples. Drop off your soil samples at any of the following locations: East End: Garden Resource Center, 147 Putnam Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15206 Open: Wednesday and Friday | 3 – 7 p.m.; Saturday | 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. South Side: ACCD Office @ The Highline, 317 E Carson Street, Suite 199, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Open: Wednesday – Friday | 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Central: Phipps Conservatory, 1 Schenley Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 Open: Friday | 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. North Side: Food for the Soul Community Urban Farm, Pittsburgh, PA 15233 Open: Wednesday – Saturday | 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. West End: Farmer Girl Eb, 1 Noblestown Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15220 Wednesday – Friday | 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Saturday | 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Receive your results. Results will be sent within two weeks along with information to help you understand and act on your results. Learn More To learn more, visit the Soil Lead Screening Eventbrite page, view the event flyer, or contact Hayly Hoch at hhoch@accdpa.org or 412-241-7645 ext. 8009 with questions.
September 22, 2021 Free or Reduced-Cost Lead Testing Individuals who have concerns about lead levels in their water supply may be eligible to receive free or reduced-cost assessments of paint, dust, soil, and water. Obtaining an Assessment As part of the local “Get the Lead Out, Pittsburgh” initiative, coordinated by the nonprofit Women for a Healthy Environment, individuals may be eligible for a free or reduced-cost lead risk assessment. Fill out this form to register. The Allegheny County Health Department also provides some free resources to qualifying households. These resources include blood lead level testing for children who are uninsured or underinsured and free full home lead assessments for households with children whose blood lead levels are elevated by the Center for Disease Control’s standards (above 5 ppb). The ACHD’s “Get Ahead of Lead” resource list contains more information and instructions for who to contact. Additional Information Individuals who are not able to qualify for free or reduced-cost can access a list of water authorities that said they offer or help to facilitate residential drinking water tests. Public Source Pittsburgh has information on how to read these findings and private companies who perform lead tests.
March 19, 2019 Some Pittsburgh Residents May Register for Free Lead Water Line Replacement Overview Pittsburgh residents who have lead water lines and meet income guidelines can have their pipes replaced for free. Pipes may be replaced through a Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority program administered by the Dollar Energy Fund. Funding PWSA has $1.8 million set aside for the program. Consequently, they must spend the money before November 2021. The money must be spent due to an agreement with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. The DEP in 2017 fined the authority $2.4 million after it failed to report a change in water treatment chemicals to state regulators. DEP and PWSA negotiated a settlement whereby $1.8 million was returned to the city for lead line replacements. The authority so far has replaced 18 water lines through the program and estimates the $1.8 million can pay for a total of 200 lines. A family of four earning no more $61,500 per year would qualify. Officials said they are certain eligible customers have failed to apply. “I don’t know what the reason for that would be,” said Paul Leger, who chairs the PWSA board of directors. “It’s not complicated. If you hit the income line, you just go to Dollar Energy Fund and you’re in.” Apply To apply, residents can call PWSA at (866) 762-2348. Representatives at Dollar Energy will verify income eligibility and PWSA will schedule a time for replacement after confirming the home has a lead water line. Eligibility PWSA spokesman Will Pickering noted that PWSA sewer customers who receive their water through the Pennsylvania American Water Co. are not eligible. The program is unrelated to PWSA’s $40 million lead program, in which it will replace a homeowner’s private line for free while replacing lead lines in the street that are owned by the authority, Pickering said. PWSA has struggled since 2016 to reduce lead levels in water that exceeded a federal threshold of 15 parts per billion. The most recent test results released in January indicated lead levels of 20 ppb from July to December. The authority is addressing the problem by replacing all lead waterlines in its service area, which includes about 300,000 people in Pittsburgh and the surrounding area, and by adding the anti-corrosion chemical orthophosphate to water. Since 2016, PWSA has replaced more than 2,825 waterlines. It plans to replace up to 3,400 lead lead lines this year.
January 17, 2019 Community Check-Up Community Check-Up is a satellite clinic of Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. Every second and fourth Wednesday, an advanced practice provider and pediatrician see children and young adults ages birth–26 years old (birthday). Services include: Asthma and Allergy Care Check-Ups Driver Permit Physicals Hearing and Vision Screenings Immunizations and Flu Shots Lead and Anemia Screenings Mental Health Services and Resources Needs-Based Resources Sports Physicals WIC Forms Schedule an Appointment To schedule an appointment, call 412.310.7114. The last appointment begins at 3:30 p.m. Share this flyer with your networks.
