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A Chevy Chase company that made millions of dollars from deals with victims of lead poisoning targeted an “entire generation of youth coming of age in Baltimore” with its deceptive practices, Maryland’s top law enforcement official alleges. But even if a lawsuit filed by Attorney General Brian E. Frosh (D) is successful, the amount of restitution those victims can receive is severely limited by a separate class-action claim. The settlement of that lawsuit, brought by two of Access Funding’s former customers, entitles victims of the company to receive about $750,000 — about 4 percent of what Frosh’s office asserts they are owed. (Chason, 1/21)

In 2017, about 13 percent of Cleveland children tested had levels at or above 5, more than three times the national rate.Lower levels of poisoning don’t kill children or require hospitalization. They can, however, lower IQs and contribute to behavioral problems, like poor impulse control, with costly long-term implications for children and society. (Dissel and Zeltner, 1/21)

City, county and community leaders Tuesday will announce a new plan to tackle lead poisoning in Cleveland, according to a city news release sent out Friday afternoon. The plan will formalize the work of the coalition and could include a lead summit, legislation and a lead remediation fund, according to multiple sources involved with the announcement who asked that their names not be used. (Dissell, 1/19)