Organizers of the Get the Lead Out program in Grand Rapids are trying right now to get the word out for people to apply for assistance with lead removal in their homes.
As we’ve reported before on State of Opportunity, lead is one of the most dangerous chemicals in the environment affecting young children.
In Grand Rapids, the funds for lead removal may soon dry up. And the push is on to fix as many homes as possible before that happens.
I walk up the driveway next to a yellow house on the southeast side of Grand Rapids. Next door, a dog barks. At the yellow house, a man stands on a ladder, cutting away some vinyl trim. His work area is marked off with an ominous stretch of red tape. The dog and I are on the other side of it.
"Am I allowed to come on this side?" I ask.
"No, you’re not," the man says.