Lead is a metal found in the earth, and it is toxic. Every year, approximately 310,000 children across the United States and approximately 2,800 in New York State are lead poisoned. In 2008, 21 children in Broome County were found to have blood lead levels ≥10 micrograms per deciliter. But, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there is no apparent threshold below which adverse effects of lead do not occur. An additional 221 children in Broome County were found to have blood lead levels between 5-9 micrograms per deciliter in 2008.

 

Staff in the Division of Environmental Health will assist property owners with inspections of housing units, testing for lead hazards in paint and dust, and development of a work plan to correct any hazards found. In addition to this technical assistance, incentives in the form of cleaning supplies, painting materials, and laboratory based clearance testing will be offered. Properties requiring intervention will be identified by owner requests, agency referrals and door-to-door outreach by the Broome County Health Department staff.

 

City of Binghamton Mayor Matt Ryan stated, “This project complements the City’s housing improvement initiatives, and represents an important step toward improving the health of city residents.”

 

Zip code 13905 in the City of Binghamton was identified by the New York State Department Health as an area with higher numbers of children with elevated blood lead levels. The Broome County Health Department will use $170,000 of New York State Department of Health grant funds to conduct project activities beginning in that area.

 

“This initiative is designed to prevent childhood lead exposure by using the approach of primary prevention, correcting hazards before lead can be ingested or inhaled by a child,” said Claudia Edwards, Public Health Director for the Broome County Health Department. 

 

Property owners and dwelling occupants interested in the project should contact the Broome County Health Department at 607.778.2847.