The 16-member Kent County Lead Poisoning task force continues to meet to investigate ways in which the County can work towards elimination of lead poisoning.

The task force met in May and discussed the November report from Governor Snyder's Childhood Lead Poisoning Elimination Board and its ramifications for Kent County. In June, the task force heard presentations focused on current interventions. Presentations were made by Doug Stek from the City of Grand Rapids Housing Rehabilitation office. Mr. Stek talked about his department's work to make more than 1,350 housing units lead-safe in Grand Rapids.  Chandra Colley, Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program manager at the Kent County Health Department spoke about here program's role promoting childhood lead testing and her department's follow-up with lead poisoned children.

The Task Force now moves into a discernment process and will begin formulating recommendations for the public and the Kent County Board of Commissioners.

Members of the public are welcome to attend all task force meetings. Future meetings date are below.  All meetings are 1:00 – 2:30pm, and are held in the County Commission chambers on the third floor of the County Building, 300 Monroe Ave NW.

• July 19
• August 15
• September 20
• October 18
• November 15

Kent County Lead Task Force Presentation Library

Dr. Bush – Health Impacts of Lead (February)
Métrica – Mapping Risk Factors (February)
Dr. Miller – Trends in Childhood Blood Lead Levels (February)
Mr. DeLong and Ms. Thompson – Responding to New Interpretations on Lead in Drinking Water (March)
Mr. Groetsch – Source Contribution to Childhood Lead Exposure (April)
Ms. Phelps – Inspection Homes for Lead Hazards (April)
Mr. Stek - City of Grand Rapids Lead Hazard Control Program (June)