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Getting the Lead Out: Money to Fix Lead Paint Hazards Available
(November 2011)
If you live in a home that was built before 1978, there is a high likelihood that lead-based paint was used. Lead is a poison that can damage the brain, kidneys, and nervous system and is particularly dangerous to children and pregnant women. A toddler with lead poisoning is at risk for learning disabilities, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, abnormal maturation of their bodies and aggressive behavior.
Old lead painted surfaces begin to peel off in paint chips and can create lead dust in the home; especially floor surfaces where young children have an increased risk of exposure when they crawl and put their hands in their mouths. Renovations and remodeling activities if done without regard to lead can generate very high levels of lead in the home environment. To ensure that these home improvements are completed safely, families living in these older homes or apartments need to confirm if lead is present by having paint chips tested. If confirmed, all repainting and remodeling must be done using specific lead-safe procedures.
The good news is that there is funding available to help address this problem. Those who qualify may get support to cover 75 percent or more of the costs for lead-safe remodeling. You can qualify for this support if you meet the following criteria:
* Your home was built before 1978
* You have children under six or care for children under six (example, childcare or grandchildren)
* The children must get a blood test for lead before the work begins
* You meet the income guidelines to participate (see link below)
* If you are renting, the person who owns the property must be willing to participate and follow the requirements of the program
Funding for this program may be limited, so now is a good time to act. More information about the Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Program is available at:
* Common Wealth Development Inc. at (608) 256-3527 Ext. 27
* Project Home at (608) 246-3737
* Public Health Madison and Dane County at (608) 266-4821
Details about eligibility are available at
http://www.projecthomewi.org/lead-abatemen
Details about lead poisoning can be found at
http://www.publichealthmdc.com/documents/LeadPois-Eng.pdf
Details about lead-safe remodeling can be found at
http://www.publichealthmdc.com/documents/LeadGuide-Eng.pdf
Making Your Move Easier on You and the Environment
(October 2011)
Madison Green Box, LLC is an Oregon, WI company founded in April of 2011.
They offer a low environmental impact alternative to traditional cardboard moving boxes. They rent industrial-strength plastic boxes which will be used hundreds of times before being fully recycled. The plastic moving boxes, wardrobes, and other eco-friendly moving supplies are sure to make your move easier on you and the environment.
Free delivery and pick-up is provided in Madison and all surrounding communities. The boxes are delivered neatly nested therefore they do not take up a lot of space. The boxes are a uniform size (2.5 cubic feet) allowing for perfect stacking. They are very sturdy with handles and a hinged top. Another part of the convenience is not having to deal with assembly, taping, and breaking down of cardboard.
The service and product are indeed an affordable option. It is very comparable to the cost of buying new cardboard. For example, a two bedroom package is 35 boxes with a four wheel dolly. The first week is $89. The cost of additional weeks is equal to the number of boxes which would be $35 in this case.
Madison Green Box is convenient, affordable, green and the first of its kind business in Wisconsin. It is expected that this green business will directly sustain the local environment and in turn help the local economy prosper.
For more information: Lori Carlson, Owner, at (608) 209-0174, Lacarlson@madisongreenbox.com or www.madisongreenbox.com
Make Your Home Projects Green
(April 2011)
Now that it’s spring it’s time to think of green ways of improving your home. Before you start, plan your project and see if you can recycle or reuse any of the items you will be changing or removing. Think of ways to reuse the material so it does not end up in the landfill. Then head to the Habitat ReStore to see if you can purchase recycled building materials for your project.
For the smaller projects such as painting, landscaping and minor wood repairs. These too you can keep green by using non-toxic paints and make wood repairs with regular lumber not the treated lumber. If you prime and paint regular lumber it will withstand the weather. Remember to replace your light bulbs with energy efficient ones.
Also be sure to share with your neighbors the green way to do home repairs.
Below are a few websites that offer tips on green home repairs:
www.calrecycle.ca.gov
www.greenbuildingpages.com
www.wbdg.org
www.greenhomeimprovement.us
www.environment.about.com
www.homeimprovementadvisors.com
Keep Your Garden Green
(March 2011)
As you page through the seed catalogs, here's a few ideas to keep your garden green.
Have your soil tested so you know the correct amount of fertilizers you need because the first step in being green is not wasting resources. Choose the types of plants that will grow well you in your soil type and climate zone. Here is a link on the plant zones in Wisconsin: http://www.wisconline.com/almanac/gardening/hardiness.html
Also make your own fertilizers by composting your yard and food waste products from your home. Here is website with information on how to do home composting: http://www.cityofmadison.com/streets/compost/
Your garden area should be constructed so that when it rains the water does not run off into the storm sewers, which leads to the lakes as this runoff water will have nutrients which can help the lake algae grow.
For watering, install a rain barrel to collect rain from your roof as this is soft water and it is better for your plants than the water out of your tap. A local source for rain barrels is at the Sustain Dane website: http://www.rainfordane.org/
Pest control can be done in a green way. Depending on the pest, can pick them off your plants and put them in a container which is filled with water and common dish washing soap. Here are couple of websites with some green ways to do pest control: http://www.organicgardening.com/learn-and-grow/pest-disease/pests and http://eartheasy.com/grow_nat_pest_cntrl.htm
Lastly if you have some room in your garden put in some plants that are useful to endangered butterflies and that will provide food for song birds as the move through your neighborhood on their migrations. Here are some websites with more information: http://www.wsobirds.org/birdscaping.pdf and http://www.naba.org/chapters/nabawba/SWBAButterflyGardening.pdf
Enjoy the dirt under your fingernails.
Archived Living Green Columns
Inside and Out of the Home: Remodeling Green
Eating and Gardening Green Living
Lawn Tips
Winter Green Tips
Summer Green Tips
Green Living for Celebrations All Year Long
Back to School Green Tips
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