in_the_media

Philadelphia's lead courts effective at reducing exposure

Media Outlet: 

WHYY/NewsWorks

A new study funded by Temple's Public Health Law Research Program has found that Philadelphia's lead court, established in 2002 to speed the cleanup of lead hazards in apartments, has been effective at reducing lead exposure. Before the court, landlords fixed problems within the first year about 7 percent of the time. After the court was in operation, that rate rose to about 77 percent. "We're in the business of getting people to understand that law matters to health, and this is a great example of how," said Scott Burris, director of the Public Health Law Research Program.