COLUMBUS — A lead advisory committee announced Friday by Gov. Mike DeWine includes two Toledo-area representatives.

Chris Amato of the Historic South Initiative, a neighborhood revitalization project that renovates using state funding, and Scott Lopez, business manager of UA Local 50 Plumbers, Steamfitters & Service Mechanics, were named to the committee.

According to a news release, the state intends to invest $25 million toward lead prevention and treatment with hopes of eliminating toxic lead in homes. The state will provide more than $4.8 million annually to advertise lead-free homes to families and abate lead contamination.

It also plans to spend $5 million per year to “provide a lead abatement tax credit, allowing eligible individuals to receive an income tax credit worth up to $10,000 for costs related to home lead abatement.” Funding of $225,000 will go toward increasing the supply of lead hazard control workers. 

“It’s wrong that in 2019 there are still children in Ohio whose dreams are stifled because they live in homes where they are exposed to lead paint,” Mr. DeWine said in a statement. “We have an obligation to fix the lead problem. Through Ohio’s current investments and the recommendations of this committee, I believe Ohio can move the needle on lead poisoning.”

The committee includes multidisciplinary members who were appointed to a six-month term. The committee’s first meeting will be later this fall and will follow with monthly meetings.

First Published September 15, 2019, 2:08 a.m.