Lead Safe Canton

Welcome to the Canton Lead Hazard Control Grant Website!

Lead Safe Canton Logo Color

The City of Canton is excited to announce that $3.3 million has been received from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the purpose of removing lead-based paint hazards and other health hazards in homes.  Improvements made to homes often include items such as new windows, doors, interior and exterior paint, siding, etc.  Approximately 160 households will be assisted.

Why is lead paint a concern?

Lead is a toxic metal that can cause serious health problems if it’s ingested or if dust containing lead is inhaled.  Up until 1978, when federal regulations restricted the use of lead in household paint, lead was a common component in exterior and interior paints.

As long as lead paint is in good condition, and the surface hasn’t been broken, the paint will not pose a serious threat.  The problem is when the lead paint starts deteriorating, dust and flakes of lead paint begin accumulating on surfaces such as window sills, counter tops, floors, children’s toys, clothes, and bedding.  Paint chips and dust containing lead can also contaminate the soil and play areas around the home.  Lead paint is dangerous to children because it tastes sweet, which encourages children to put lead chips and toys with lead dust in their mouths.  This increases the risk of accumulating harmful amounts of lead in their bodies.

Anyone can be dangerously affected by the exposure to lead, but children under age 6 are especially vulnerable to lead poisoning for several reasons.  A child’s growing body absorbs more lead than adults, therefore the young child’s brain and nervous system are more sensitive to the damage lead can cause.  Lead stunts their growth and can cause kidney damage, it also delays their development and causes behavioral problems. Lead also poses a threat to unborn babies.  If there is lead in a mother’s system, it can pass to the fetus and cause premature birth, low birth weight, and brain and nerve damage. 

Do you have lead in your home?

If any of the statements below apply to your household, you and your family may be at risk of lead-based paint poisoning.  

Signs you may have lead in your home include:

  • You have walls, woodwork, and/or window sills in your home with chipping or peeling paint.
  • The outside siding has chipping and/or peeling paint.
  • Your home was built prior to 1978.
  • Your child’s blood lead level tested high.

You may qualify for the program if:

  • You live in a home constructed before 1978.
  • You have a child under the age of 6 living in the home.
  • You have a pregnant female living in the home.
  • You have a child under the age of 6 visiting the home at least six hours per week.

Eligibility

Please review the program and eligibility requirements as listed in our Lead Safe Canton Brochure (PDF).

Application

Are you interested in taking part in the City of Canton’s Lead Hazard Control Program?  Getting started is easy!

Learn how to Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home (PDF) from the EPA.

You may fill out and print the Homeowner/Tenant Application (PDF) or the Landlord Application (PDF).  If you do not have a printer available, please call 330-489-3040 and request a paper copy of the application, or you may also send an email to communitydevelopment@cantonohio.gov to make your request.

Priority Ranking Factors:

  • Priority 1:  Owner/Tenant occupied residential properties with children under 6 yrs. of age with elevated blood levels equal to or greater than 5ug/dl in which lead hazards are identified.
  • Priority 2:  Owner/Tenant occupied residential properties with children under 6 yrs. of age in which lead hazards are identified.
  • Priority 3:  Owner/Tenant occupied residential properties in which children under 6 yrs. of age are spending at least 6 hours a week in the home in which lead hazards are identified.
  • Priority 4:  Owner/Tenant occupied residential properties with no children but houses a pregnant woman.

Contacts