Evaluating the success of window replacement
when compared to window encapsulation
as a method for lead abatement in Richmond, Virginia

Cynthia Burch

Evaluating the success of window replacement when compared to window encapsulation as a method for lead abatement in Richmond, Virginia

Introduction: Lead poisoning is a known threat to human health, especially that of young children. Public health departments in major cities throughout the United States have established lead poisoning awareness and intervention programs. Richmond is one of those cities and the program of interest is known as Lead Safe Richmond (LSR). 

This study examined the effectiveness of lead abatement strategies, focusing on the lead levels in the dust surrounding the windowsill. This study examined two different kinds of intervention, Level II and Level III abatements, and evaluated their effectiveness. Both of these methods were compared to determine which was more successful at reducing the lead level in the dust on the windowsill at the time of clearance and maintaining that low level at the time of follow-up. 

Methods: Data was collected from LSR for this study and analyzed using SPSS statistical software. The data examined included pre-abatement dust lead levels; clearance, six-month follow-up and one-year follow-up lead dust levels along with the specific abatement level classification of each unit studied.

Results: This study was conducted using a small sample size so problems with significance did arise. Overall this analysis did show a difference between the successes of the two levels of abatement. For units where level II interventions were used, the lead dust levels rose faster following clearance as opposed to those units where Level III interventions were used.

Discussion: The level III strategies have been shown to be more effective than the level II interventions. They maintain lower lead levels once the unit has been abated, thus making the home safer for young children and protecting their health. Lead awareness and abatement programs should encourage historical societies, contractors and local governments to implement strategies that renovate the contaminated unit as opposed to encapsulating the lead based paint and dust.