During Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, County Executive Ken Jenkins urges Westchester families, building owners and property managers to reduce children’s exposure to lead and prevent its harmful health effects.
Jenkins said: “Lead exposure is entirely preventable, yet it continues to place children at risk. When you rent, buy or renovate a home—especially one built before 1978—take precautions to prevent lead paint exposure. Peeling, chipping or cracked paint can create hazardous lead dust. In older homes, regularly wet-cleaning window sills and floors can reduce the danger, since older painted window sashes create dust that easily gets onto little hands—and lead dust has a sweet taste that can attract children.”
Lead is a toxic metal. When children ingest even very low levels of lead it can negatively impact their intellect, concentration, academic achievement and behavior. All children should have their blood lead level tested at age one and again at age two. At every well visit from six months through 6 years, a healthcare provider should assess children for their risk of high lead exposure.
Health Commissioner Dr. Sherlita Amler emphasized the importance of testing: “There is no safe level of lead, and its health effects can be devastating. Parents should ask their child’s healthcare provider about testing. If you are pregnant or have young children and are concerned that your home may contain lead-based paint, call the Health Department at 914-813-5240. Our team can help identify lead hazards, reduce exposure, and, if needed, assist families in relocating to a safer environment.”
Amler added: “To prevent lead poisoning, keep children away from peeling paint and plaster and wash their hands after they play, before they eat and before bed. Sometimes, exposure can come from candy, toys, pottery, cosmetics or folk remedies. Protecting children requires collaboration between families, landlords and the Health Department.”
For the year ending September 30, 131 children in Westchester were identified with new lead exposures, up from 128 the previous year. The County Health Department is now monitoring 242 children. Nationally, about 500,000 children ages 1 to 5 have elevated blood lead levels, according to the CDC.
Westchester is one of 19 counties statewide that requires new protection for tenants through the New York State Rental Registry Law. The law aims to prevent lead poisoning by identifying and remediating lead paint hazards in some of the state’s oldest housing stock. The law requires owners of all properties with two or more rental units built before 1980 to have them inspected for lead hazards every three years in these zip codes:10550 (Mount Vernon), 10801 (New Rochelle), and 10701 and 10705 (Yonkers). Lead hazards must then be remediated according to federal and state guidelines. State funding is available to help property owners with remediation through the Leading in Lead Prevention Pilot Program. For more information, call 914-813-5240 or email doh-lead@westchestercountyny.gov.
The Westchester County Health Department’s Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program works with families and pregnant women to:
Provide education on how to prevent lead exposure
Notify families when a child’s blood lead level meets the state threshold for concern
Offer free home inspections to identify and reduce risks
Recommend follow-up care with healthcare providers
To learn more about keeping children safe from lead, watch the Health Department’s educational video in English or Spanish.
Westchester County is moving ahead with the installation of two urgently requested pedestrian safety crosswalks on Warburton Avenue in Hastings-on-Hudson.…
