New online database makes it easier for Indy residents to learn about lead hazards in homes

More than 60% of housing in Marion County was built before 1980.

Those older homes have a higher chance of having lead paint that was used up until 1978, when it was federally banned from consumer use. Some of the most common sources of lead exposure include lead paint, dust, soil and water.

Exposure to the neurotoxin can be extremely harmful to children and pregnant people. The chemical has been found to cause developmental and behavioral issues that affect a child’s speech and hearing and learning.

A new database launched last week aims to take a more proactive approach to the issue. The artificial intelligence program aims to empower people. Indianapolis residents can search an address to learn of any recorded lead hazards at a home's property in the past 10 years.

Marion County officials unveiled the new tool at the inaugural Lead-Free Indy summit. The crowd applauded as the website was revealed and demonstrated on a large screen at the Central Public Library.

Marion County Health Department Healthy Homes administrator Karla Johnson said the program utilizes AI to help break down information and resources.

“It allows the user to chat with the app, to be able to to ask questions about lead poisoning, get clarification about the report that they may be looking at regarding a home that they might be interested in or in renting or buying,” said Johnson. “It gives you all the information. It breaks it down in a way that is easy to digest and understand.”

Any new tests for lead conducted on homes in the county will be added to the database expanding its outreach. The database builds on more reactive approaches state and local officials have taken in the past.

In 2022, the state lowered the elevated blood lead level from 10 to 3.5 micrograms per deciliter — to match the CDCs level, although it has been noted that there is no safe level of lead. Last year, the state started requiring health care providers to screen children under the age of six-years-old.

Potential renters or buyers are supposed to be informed about lead on properties, but that doesn’t always happen. And even when information is shared, it can be confusing.

“This is an opportunity for a family to be empowered to decide or to determine the safety of their home themselves,” Johnson said. “It is not contingent upon them, on the honesty of or the knowledge of the seller or the landlord.”

The chat program utilizes Google translate and is capable of communicating in multiple languages.

The website also includes a section on requesting blood lead level testing at local schools.

Johnson believes this technology could be replicated nationwide.

“I think that we could hopefully be leaders to other organizations that might be hesitant about using technology for fear that it violates private privacy information or anything else this it can be done,” she said. “And if we have technology, we should use the technology for our good. And that’s what I think this is doing.”

The team will be presenting the new tool to federal officials this fall.

Contact WFYI All Things Considered newscaster and reporter Samantha Horton at shorton@wfyi.org.