OK, here’s what transpired since I posted my “ethical dilemma” thread…
I decided to let the 2 families with young kids know my concerns, and asked them to keep it “anonymous”… This morning the same crew showed up and started scraping, sanding etc and I decided to call EPA, who referred me to the state DEP, who referred me to the city health dept. I didn’t have much expectation of results, but when I stopped home about 15 minutes later sure enough there was a guy from the city with the Buck Rogers lead testing gun taking readings (which were literally off the chart) and trying to communicate with the workers, who predictably spoke no English but started asking him whether this was why they had rashes on their arms, faces, etc. I really did feel sort of badly for them. And of course “the boss” wasn’t around.
The guy from the city told me he was going to require them to clean up with a HEPA vac, wash the windowsills with TSP etc. I kind of winked and said “good luck”, and he asssured me he would be staying on it. I came home around 4:00 and saw them raking, and saw a ShopVac in their truck, windowsills still covered in paint dust.
I called the city just to make sure they weren’t getting hoodwinked, and spoke to the same fella I saw here, he told me he had just left minutes before I got home and told the painters they were off the job, and coincidentally had run into one of the families with a toddler. He made arrangements to inspect their apartment tomorrow morning and apparently is notifying the building owner that he is ordering a complete lead abatement… ouchhhhhhhhhhh.
I have to say, I take no joy in precipitating this, but when I saw the lead readings (which literally pinned the meter at over 10 times the allowable limit) I know I did the right thing.
I’ll keep you guys posted if anything interesting transpires…
Replies
You did the right thing, Paul, and for the right reasons - no vendetta. If you hadn't acted, no one else would have stepped up for the kids.
Now you gotta move !
Greg
I didn't respond in the other thread, but, IMO, you did the right thing. I have seen too many lead poisoned children.
You did the right thing. For the kids, for yourself, and for the poor workers. If their boss gets written up everytime he tries to have some guys do a job on the cheap, eventually he'll pay to do it right, and protect his guys. These particular day laborers may be out a job, but eventually, some other day laborer will have protection, thanks to you.
k
Good on you, Paul!
Got a link to the other thread? Sounds like you did the right thing, but if I don't remember the situation.
Thanks.
http://forums.taunton.com/tp-breaktime/messages?msg=122738.1
PaulB
http://www.makeabettertomorrow.com
http://www.finecontracting.com
Well Done!!
Two thumbs UP!
You did the right thing.
You did the right thing.
Rez should honour you with some sort of award for your community conscience.
s.
Nah...just add your name to the list to help me move when my landlord finds out it was me.
PaulB
http://www.makeabettertomorrow.com
http://www.finecontracting.com
You did the right thing Paul.
Jeff
Gabi and I give you 4 thumbs up!
Fair play to you for going to bat for your fellow New Havenites.
View Image
Good show
I watched that thread and glad you did what you did!!!!!
Never know, one of those kids may have been saved a life of misery, and of course the parents.
Sorry I don't really care for the Paining contractor or landlord. I do feel sorry for the laborers Tell them to drink milk. It is supposed to help rid lead from the system.
well done, and thank you -
'no good deed goes unpunished' - I sincerely hope this doesn't shake out to cause you grief with the landlord, and I hope the powers that be work with the landlord and contractor in a non-punitive manor to deal with the issue -
"I have to say, I take no joy in precipitating this,"
That comes through clearly. You wrestled with this. You did what needed to be done. Good man!