A area in Trion is just one of four areas in Northwest Georgia that shows a higher-than-average amount of lead when children have been tested.  A study last year shows that Lindale / Silver Creek area along with Coosa in Floyd County, a portion of Cedartown and the area in Trion that runs northward towards Walker County all have more children testing higher for levels of lead than any other ares in the region.

A bipartisan committee of the Georgia General Assembly is planning to introduce recommendations for action.

The Rome News Tribune reports that the committee will recommend the follow ideas:

Among the recommendations from the committee:

♦ Change the state definition of elevated blood lead level to 3.5 µg/dL and the level triggering a home investigation from 10 µg/dL to 5 µg/dL to align with the most current CDC recommendation.

♦ Include the exterior of a home in an investigation into lead sources.

♦ Include pregnant women along with children under 6 years old to the list of criteria for lead-based paint abatement. And bar landlords from resolving the issue by refusing to rent to them.

♦ Increase the length of time that a landlord must submit an abatement plan to mitigate hazards from 14 to 30 days.

♦ Require a post-abatement clearance inspection instead of a visual assessment.

♦ Allow tenants to void their lease if a landlord does not disclose that a home has the potential for lead hazards.

♦ Fund additional DPH lead inspectors.

♦ Use federal American Rescue Plan Act funds for lead abatement costs, lead safe housing programs, strengthened screening and reporting actions, and remediating missed screenings and follow-ups occurring during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Working toward more education on the effects of lead exposure and prevention as well as making it easier to be tested also are on the list.