Philly gets $3.7 million from U.S. for lead-removal efforts

The city of Philadelphia is getting a big federal check to help get the lead out of homes. 

More than $3.7 million in grants from the department of Housing and Urban Development will be used to remove lead paint from older homes in poorer sections of the city. Exposure to chipping paint made before 1978 can lead to lead poisoning in kids and residue can aggravate other health conditions.

Jane Vincent, the regional HUD administrator, said about 300 homes will be treated.

“Poverty should not sentence a family or an individual to a lifetime of health issues and health problems,” Vincent said Wednesday. “Everyone deserves a chance to live in healthy communities.”

Dr. James Buehler, the city’s health commissioner, said children in poorer communities are more likely to suffer from asthma because of lead paint issues