Joe’s Blog

Promoting Healty Homes

 I grew up in an older home and my father Ed Levitch MHRIP was an Architect and remodeling contractor in and around Berkeley California and the surrounding cities since 1958. Growing up I learned so many things from him, he taught me the value of family, respect and everything I know today about remodeling homes safely. 

I remember a  time at Levco Builders when I received a call from a man who shared a personal story about lead poisoning. He thanked me for advocating for the rule. I assured him of my commitment to safety. I was an early supporter of the EPA’s RRP rule, and I’m still a strong advocate today for ensuring people are safe in their homes.

What is a Healthy Home?
We all believe our homes are healthy places but all too often the opposite is true. As a remodeling contractor too, I deal with it every day. From the materials we use to how they are installed and the environment we create within the envelope of your home is unbelievably important. The CDC describes a healthy home as “One that is designed, built, and maintained to support our health” I couldn’t agree more. The other pivotal moment in my quest to promote healthy homes was a document written by the then Surgeon General, Steven Galson in 2009 who articulated the need for a healthy housing stock. This blog is dedicated to all things related to healthy homes with an emphasis on lead, lead detection as well as protection of humans and pets.

What Is The Solution?

What Is The Solution?

Great question. The answer is a double entendre. On the one hand, it is a solution (a chemical in a bottle). It is also a solution to reveal where lead lurks in our ecosystem. The results will amaze you. The solution is called Lumetallix. It is a transparent liquid...

read more
Light Reading On Leaded Children

Light Reading On Leaded Children

I was captivated by an investigative piece published by Reuters in 2016. It essentially says we have an epidemic when it comes to lead, and lead testing in America has gone to hell in a handbasket. Comon Sense Is Not That Comon You tend to duck and cover when...

read more
Crash Reconstruction Findings

Crash Reconstruction Findings

Years ago, I had an incident flying into a backcountry airstrip as a Flight Paramedic, and that reminded me of what is happening with Lead in the USA. I was sitting in the co-pilot seat, and it was pitch black. We had just done a hot refuel at the back pad and, at the...

read more
Medical Director Revealed

Medical Director Revealed

When Lead Locators was established in 2013, I asked my friend and family pediatrician to be my medical director. He agreed and was always there to be the voice of reason, professionally and personally. At the time, Lead Locators was focused on lead testing. Now that...

read more
I Am The Parent Of A Leaded Child

I Am The Parent Of A Leaded Child

Nothing is more devastating than knowing that you have not protected your child from danger. I have heard enough stories and met the moms, and I know there are plenty more out there. I get angry now, knowing that all of these stories are heart-wrenching. Some deal...

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Lead Conference Was A Hit

Lead Conference Was A Hit

I recently attended the National Lead and Healthy Housing Conference in Savannah, Georgia. I was naturally most interested in Lead and how the country handles the lead problem.  The movers and shakers in the field were all there. What I heard loud and clear is that...

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Recent Posts

What Is The Solution?

What Is The Solution?

Great question. The answer is a double entendre. On the one hand, it is a solution (a chemical in a bottle). It is also a solution to reveal where lead lurks in our ecosystem. The results will amaze you. The solution is called Lumetallix. It is a transparent liquid...

read more
Light Reading On Leaded Children

Light Reading On Leaded Children

I was captivated by an investigative piece published by Reuters in 2016. It essentially says we have an epidemic when it comes to lead, and lead testing in America has gone to hell in a handbasket. Comon Sense Is Not That Comon You tend to duck and cover when...

read more
Crash Reconstruction Findings

Crash Reconstruction Findings

Years ago, I had an incident flying into a backcountry airstrip as a Flight Paramedic, and that reminded me of what is happening with Lead in the USA. I was sitting in the co-pilot seat, and it was pitch black. We had just done a hot refuel at the back pad and, at the...

read more
Medical Director Revealed

Medical Director Revealed

When Lead Locators was established in 2013, I asked my friend and family pediatrician to be my medical director. He agreed and was always there to be the voice of reason, professionally and personally. At the time, Lead Locators was focused on lead testing. Now that...

read more