lead news

Bill to fight lead poisoning in jeopardy amid state budget crisis | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle ALBANY — A bill to fight lead-paint poisoning in Rochester and other cities that passed the Legislature last month after years of failed attempts could be vetoed because of the state's fiscal problems, one of the bill's sponsors said Tuesday. (Sept 24, 08) democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle | Rochester news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Rochester, New York
Local support strong for lead-poisoning bill - Utica, NY 13501 - The Observer-Dispatch Local officials say they hope Gov. David Paterson will pass legislation that would develop a more proactive program to prevent lead poisoning before children get sick. Paterson’s signature still needed (Sept 10, 08) Home - Utica, NY 13501 - The Observer-Dispatch
Legislation to prevent lead poising in children passes in State Senate - ALBANY - The State Senate Friday gave final legislative approval to a bill sponsored by Senator Joseph Robach (R-C-I, Rochester), to establish the “Childhood Lead Poisoning Primary Prevention and Safe Housing Act” to encourage lead remediation and assist property owners and residents with removed lead hazards from their homes. (Aug 9-10, 08) New York State News on the Net!
Lead-paint bill may pass Senate today | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle ALBANY — A long-debated bill between Rochester lawmakers on reducing the number of children poisoned by lead paint in New York is expected to be approved today when the Senate returns to the Capitol. (Aug., 8, 08) democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle | Rochester news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Rochester, New York
Because of petty politics, state can't get the lead out | pressconnects.com | Press & Sun-Bulletin New York has the largest number of housing units that still have lead paint, both in absolute numbers and in percentage terms, of any state. It is particularly a problem in Rochester and other large cities, which have a lot of old houses with peeling lead paint. It's not a problem for children living in newer homes, because the use of lead paint has been banned in New York since 1978. (June 29, 08) pressconnects.com | Press & Sun-Bulletin | Binghamton news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Binghamton, New York
Greece pol Robach feels heat on lead bill | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle ALBANY — Advocates are putting heat on state Sen. Joseph Robach, R-Greece, to win passage of a bill that they say would greatly reduce the number of children poisoned by lead. (June 5, 08) democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle | Rochester news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Rochester, New York
Lead Poisoning Drops but More Work Needed - ROCHESTER, NY (2008-04-10) The number of children who have been lead poisoned has been reduced by 65 percent reduction between 2002 and 2007, according to new data from the Coalition to Prevent Lead Poisoning. But with 426 new cases of lead poisoning in children reported last year, Monroe County still has a ways to go. (April 13, 08) WXXI NewsRoom
DEC shifts to lead-free ammo — ALBANY — The state Department of Environmental Conservation is reducing its negative impact on the environment by giving up lead-based bullets used for firearms training in favor of less harmful "green" ammunition. "(The) DEC is committed to leading the way in finding new ways — large and small — to reduce the amount of contamination that is released into our environment," said Commissioner Alexander "Pete" Grannis. (January 7, 2008) Democrat & Chronicle
City Landlords Challenge Lead Laws - Rochester's lead abatement law - it set a standard for city landlords and the nation. New research found more rental properties are now safe because of the lead law, but landlords who are literally paying for this ordinance challenge that perception. (Dec 20, 07) R News: As It Happens, Where It Happens
www.whec.com - Results are in on Rochester's new lead law The idea was to "get the lead out" and it looks like it's working! Tonight the results are out on the impact of Rochester’s new "lead law" to cut down on lead poisoning. (Dec 18, 07) www.whec.com
www.whec.com - Coalition to Prevent Lead Poisoning receives $25,000 donation The Coalition to Prevent Lead Poisoning received a $25,000 donation from Roberts Communications to support its educational outreach. The donation will fund home visits and educational programs that reach thousands of families who work with children. (Dec 18, 07) www.whec.com
Rochester's lead law shows positive results — An estimated one-third of Rochester's rental properties have been made lead safe. But a better-than-expected response to the city's new lead law is worthy of both praise and skepticism, according to a study released Monday. The Centers for Governmental Research analysis found continued high compliance rates — 94 percent of properties passing visual inspections; 85 percent passing follow-up dust wipe tests — and claimed that landlord expenses have been lower than anticipated. (December 11, 2007) Democrat & Chronicle
CGR Report Says Rochester Lead Law is Working Bud Lowell - ROCHESTER, NY (2007-12-10) A report from the Center for Governmental Research says more than 16-thousand Rochester homes and apartments have been inspected under the city's anti-lead poisoning law. (Dec 11, 07) WXXI NewsRoom
Rochester Gets Anti-Lead Grant - ROCHESTER, NY (2007-10-30) A top official the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development was in Rochester Tuesday to present a check for over 1.6-million dollars to help the city in its ongoing effort to eliminate lead poisoning. HUD Deputy Secretary Roy Bernardi -- the former mayor of Syracuse -- says the money represents an investment in children. WXXI Public Broadcasting Council
Rochester gets $1.6M more to get the lead out — Rochester officials announced plans Tuesday to use a new $1.6 million federal grant to replace hazardous windows, doors and porches to prevent childhood lead poisoning over the next three years. The city has received more than $10 million since 2003, mostly in federal funding, to rehabilitate 632 units by 2008. It has completed 60 percent of that effort so far. The new funding will be applied to an additional 100 homes (October 31, 2007) Democrat & Chronicle
LEAD CONTAMINATION FROM OLD FIRING RANGE FOUND AT PUBLIC SAFETY TRAINING FACILITY Rochester Fire Chief John Caufield announced today that lead dust was discovered in and around a portion of inactive duct work last week at the Public Safety Training Facility, located at 1190 Scottsville Rd. The ducts, which lead from an old Rochester Police Department gun range, were opened up for roof repairs over the facility’s Rochester Fire Department Apparatus Repair garage. The ducts have been inactive since 1989, when a new firing range opened. Tests performed to date have shown elevated levels of lead dust in the work space. The lead contamination is limited to the garage location of the training facility. (Oct. 23, 07) Welcome to the City of Rochester
Lead Poisoning Prevention Week observed - Oswego -- Over the past few months, millions of children’s toys and other items in the U.S. have been recalled due to high levels of lead. Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Week will be observed from Oct. 21 to 27, when the Oswego County Health Department reminds parents that most children with lead poisoning do not look or feel sick. Kathleen Smith, Oswego County Public Health director, said that parents can find a complete list of products that have been recalled by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission on the Internet at www.cpsc.gov (October 15, 07) New York State News on the Net!
Anti-lead effort gets $3.5 million lift — Armed with $3.5 million to combat lead poisoning in Rochester homes, city and county officials vowed to end the affliction within 2½ years. "This is a very doable goal," said Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks at a news conference Wednesday. "This is something we can do: end lead poisoning in our community by 2010. We're helping children and families that need our help." (September 6, 2007) Democrat & Chronicle
Lead-in-jewelry bill vetoed - Spitzer says ineffective law would not protect children. — ALBANY — Gov. Eliot Spitzer announced Wednesday that he vetoed legislation to limit lead in costume jewelry, particularly products marketed to children, saying it would be difficult to enforce and ineffective. (August 30, 2007) Democrat & Chronicle
Perils of lead also in kiddie jewelry - State wildlife pathologist issues warning after hundreds of tests — ALBANY — While much attention has been focused on the danger of lead paint on children's toys, a state pathologist said Tuesday that another source of the toxic substance also has to be dealt with: children's jewelry. Ward Stone, a state Department of Environmental Conservation wildlife pathologist, found that 60 percent of samples of such jewelry he bought at stores and from vending machines in the eastern part of the state as part of an informal survey contained lead. Stone warned that children can develop intellectual and developmental problems after being exposed to the toxic metal. (August 29, 2007) Democrat & Chronicle
www.ny.gov - GOVERNOR SPITZER ACTS TO PROTECT NEW YORK CHILDREN FROM LEAD-POISONING THREAT IN TOYS With more than 9 million toys under recall worldwide from major manufacturers, Governor Eliot Spitzer today announced initiatives to keep lead-contaminated and hazardous toys off store shelves, raise public awareness, and institute further safety measures. The current voluntary recall required by the federal Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) does not require retailers to remove dangerous toys from store shelves. (August 18, 2007) http://www.ny.gov/
Horrors of lead ignite lawsuits; landlords cry 'unfair' - Pressure grows on building owners - As many as 200 lead poisoning lawsuits are working their way through state Supreme Court in Rochester — enough to have prompted court officials to appoint a judge, Matthew A. Rosenbaum, to oversee the majority of them. Lead-based paint, once thought to dry faster, last longer and resist moisture, has been banned in the United States since 1978, and in Europe since the early 1900s. (July 8, 07) Democrat & Chronicle
Lawmakers act to limit lead levels in kids' jewelry — The state Legislature passed legislation Thursday that would limit the amount of lead that could be put into children's jewelry, a long-held concern of health groups. Health advocates have rallied against some manufacturers for selling jewelry containing high levels of lead. The concern is that children often put jewelry in their mouths, leaving them at risk for health problems. (June 22, 2007) Democrat & Chronicle
Monroe faulted in lead testing - State audit says children after age 6 not properly screened — Children in Monroe County are among more than 100,000 statewide who are not properly screened for lead poisoning, according to an audit released Thursday by the state Health Department's Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program. While critical of state efforts to curb lead hazards, the comptroller's report also highlighted shortcomings in Monroe County, which it said was the only one of the five counties reviewed that stops providing services and case management to children when they reach 6 years of age. (June 16, 2007) Democrat & Chronicle
Home lead test kits may not be precise ROCHESTER, N.Y., June 1 The quick, inexpensive home lead-testing kits used to detect lead-laced dust are prone to high error rates, found a U.S. study. First author Katrina Korfmacher, an expert on lead poisoning at the University of Rochester Medical Center, found that 64 percent of the locations that LeadCheck Swabs indicated were safe actually had hazardous concentrations of lead in dust, according to federal standards. (June 1, 07) The Earth Times Online Newspaper, Serving the Planet
Lead poisonings diminish - County finds 85% drop among infants, toddlers For many Rochester children, a monster truly does lurk under the bed — in the dust that collects there, and on windowsills, paint chips and bare patches of lawn. New figures released Monday indicate that lead is less of a threat here today than it was 10 years ago, particularly among 1-year-olds. But there's still cause for concern about lead poisoning in older children. (April 10, 07)Democrat & Chronicle
Drop of 85 percent announced in childhood lead poisoning - The number of lead poisoned children in Monroe County has been reduced from a high of 3,710 in 1995 to 571 in 2006, county officials announced Monday. (April, 10, 07) New York State News on the Net!
A fresh alarm on dangers of lead - UR official urges passage of state bill to kill 'silent monster.' - (April 5, 2007) — ALBANY — A former Rochester school principal who discovered that more than 41 percent of incoming pupils had dangerously high lead levels in their blood urged lawmakers Wednesday to pass legislation to kill a "silent monster." Democrat & Chronicle
Monroe County Health Department grants target lead poisoning - The Monroe County Department of Public Health is providing up to $5,000 to qualified city property owners to reimburse costs associated with reducing lead hazards. (Feb 10, 2007) New York State News on the Net!
WXXI: Volunteers Canvass City for Lead Hazards (2006-09-21) ROCHESTER, NY (2006-09-21) A group of 30 volunteers walked through North Clinton Avenue neighborhoods in Rochester Thursday afternoon, passing out information on childhood lead poisoning. The volunteers are with the AmeriCorps chapter at Monroe Community College and they were working with Rochester's Coalition to Prevent Lead Poisoning. (Sept 24, 2006) Public NewsRoom
Lead Free Funding To Help 50 Homes - 2010. It's the year Greater Rochester hopes to rid itself of the threat of lead paint. We learned Tuesday the local effort to do that is 80-percent complete. The latest effort to meet that goal is a $376,000 program funded by the Monroe County and run by the city of Rochester. (September 6, 2006) R News: As It Happens, Where It Happens
Owners' lead law worries lessen - With 1,500 rentals checked, about 70 percent have passed city test— Predictions that Rochester's older rental housing would be so riddled with lead hazards that most units wouldn't meet new city regulations have so far proved false. More than 1,500 city rental houses and apartments have undergone lead hazard tests since the regulations took effect July 1. City Hall estimated that more than 60 percent would fail. So far, about 70 percent have passed. (September 5, 2006) Democrat and Chronicle
Lead paint partnership announced in Monroe County - Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks and Rochester Mayor Robert Duffy Tuesday announced a new partnership benefiting 50 housing units in the city. Under the arrangements of the plan, which will be presented to the county legislature for approval on September 12, Monroe County will accept $376,500 in federal Housing and Urban Development funding originally allocated to the City of Rochester for lead paint remediation. New York State News on the Net!
City zeros in on lead - Sweep of thousands of rentals begins in July; landlords wary.— Lead inspectors will begin sweeping through Rochester's older rental housing in July and a top city official expects that 60 percent of units will fail the test, complicating an already shaky housing market. With the city's new anti-lead law set to take effect Saturday, 8,000 to 10,000 rental units will be checked for hazards in the first 12 months. The cost of making a unit safe is expected to be from $3,000 to $14,000, and landlords will bear the brunt of that expense. (June 30, 2006) Democrat & Chronicle
Program explains new lead paint law — City resident Michael Taggart raised a son, now 20, who was poisoned by lead paint. But even he had never heard some of the frightening statistics that spurred local leaders to take action on this long-ignored environmental problem. Nationwide, 2 percent of children are poisoned by lead. In New York, with its older housing stock, the figure more than doubles to 5 percent. But in some Rochester neighborhoods, up to 30 percent of children have elevated lead levels in their blood. (June 14, 2006) Democrat & Chronicle
6/16/06 -- NET Director Molly Clifford today announced that the Neighborhood Empowerment Team, Community Development and Law Department will host an information forum for city residents on the City's new lead legislation, 6 - 7:30 p.m., Mon., June 19 at School #17 auditorium, 158 Orchard St. NET, DCD and Law staff will present the City's implementation plan for the first year of the lead ordinance, passed in Dec., 2005 by City Council. The new, comprehensive ordinance is designed to make Rochester's rental housing stock lead safe over the next three years by a combination of inspection and testing, interim controls of properties with lead paint, and education of tenants and landlords on the dangers of lead to children. Agencies that provide Lead Safe Work Practice Training and other resources related to lead hazard control will be in attendance.
United Press International - NewsTrack - Study: Lead may be osteoporosis linked ROCHESTER, N.Y., March 27 (UPI) -- University of Rochester scientists are starting a study to better understand the role environmental lead exposure plays in bone maturation and loss. For decades, scientists have known the human skeleton is a repository for lead in people who were exposed to high levels of lead, an environmental toxin, during their childhood. But, previously, that storage was believed benign. Now studies indicate lead in bones actually sets off a bizarre chain reaction, first accelerating bone growth and then eventually limiting it so that a high peak bone mass is not achieved. And preventing a high peak bone mass will predispose a young person to osteoporosis later in life. (March 29, 2006) United Press International - News. Analysis. Insight.
Clinton praises local lead paint efforts - Senator calls city a 'national model,' touts bill for federal credits for removal — Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton called Rochester a "national model" in addressing lead poisoning during a Monday event at the epicenter of the city's lead problem — School 17 on Orchard Street. Children at the urban elementary school have exhibited one of the state's highest incidences of elevated blood lead levels for many years. That lead harms brain development, affecting children's capacity to learn and ability to control their behavior, holding them "back from fulfilling their God-given potential," Clinton said. (March 28, 2006) Democrat and Chronicle
City officials will defend lead legislation — City officials will be in Albany next month to defend new legislation mandating cleanup of lead hazards in older houses. State approval is required because the legislation is more restrictive than state code. The city will go before the state Fire Prevention and Building Code Council when the group meets at 10 a.m. March 15 at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center. The legislation, adopted by City Council in December, takes effect July 1. Lead was banned from house paint in 1978 but remains in thousands of Rochester homes and poses health risks, particularly to children. Cleanup options can vary from painting over deteriorated paint to replacement of windows or other more involved action. (February 24, 2006) Democrat and Chronicle
City Newspaper: News & Views: News articles: City gets tough lead law For years, Tim Mains has lobbied for legislation to end poisoning from lead-based paint in the city of Rochester. Finally, last Tuesday, inside a packed chamber, Mains, a 20-year Council veteran and a city school principal, got his wish. During its last meeting of the year and Mains' final session as a Council member, City Council unanimously approved mandatory inspections for lead-paint hazards in Rochester's poorest neighborhoods. And to Mains' and many others' surprise, Council also agreed to the tougher examination Mains had sought: inspectors will use dust wipes rather than just visually checking for flaking or deteriorated paint. Under the new legislation, houses that pass an initial visual inspection will then get dust-wipe checks. The dust-wipe legislation targets rental housing in specific city blocks where county health department data indicates that 90 percent of all lead poisoning is occurring. ( January 4, 2006) City Newspaper
EPA/OPPT/Lead: Renovation and Remodeling Rule Lead Safe Work Requirements to Protect Children During Renovation, Repair and Painting Activities - On December 29, 2005 EPA announced proposed requirements to minimize the introduction of lead hazards resulting from the disturbance of lead-based paint during renovation, repair, and painting activities in most housing built before 1978. The proposal introduces lead training, certification, and safe work practice requirements for contractors involved in these activities. It is one component of a comprehensive program to ensure the use of lead-safe work practices that will also include training and an education and outreach campaign targeted at both workers and consumers. EPA believes this new program will further its goal to eliminate childhood lead poisonings as a major public health concern by the year 2010. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Anti-lead paint plan saluted - Supporters call city's program 'one of the smartest' in U.S. -— Rochester's new lead paint ordinance may not be the strictest in the nation, but it's "one of the smartest," supporters of the policy said Thursday. Tuesday night, City Council members unanimously approved the new slate of regulations designed to help residents detect lead paint before children are exposed, making the city lead-free by 2010. The ordinance, like those in New York City and Baltimore, requires that apartments be inspected before they are rented to ensure that neither peeling paint nor invisible lead dust are present. What makes Rochester's approach unique is that the effort is targeted at a 7.5-mile swath of neighborhoods known as The Crescent, where income levels are among the county's lowest, and 90 percent of homes pose a lead hazard. (December 23, 2005) Democrat and Chronicle
Clash on getting lead out - City Council support for bill appears shaky — Legislation aimed at cleaning up lead hazards in Rochester's older housing is headed to the City Council but whether it will pass muster remains in doubt. The proposal moved out of committee 4-1 Thursday night, with City Councilman Adam McFadden opposed. A vote is set for Tuesday, and several council members remain uncertain. (December 16, 2005) Democrat and Chronicle
Lead-paint sweep on track - City Council proposal targets thousands of rentals bordering downtown — A proposal to address lead poisoning dangers in Rochester's older housing would send city inspectors into thousands of rentals bordering downtown during its first three years. Draft legislation released Friday and slated to take effect July 1 relies on visual inspections and assumes that deteriorating paint in pre-1978 properties is lead-based, posing a health and safety hazard. The target area forms a half-moon over downtown, from the northeast to the southwest. Inspectors would cover the entire city within five years. (December 4, 2005) Democrat and Chronicle
County Executive Issues Deteriorated Paint Report - County Executive Maggie Brooks issued a report detailing the results of Monroe County’s Deteriorated Paint Pilot Project. Brooks directed the Monroe County Health Department and Monroe County Human Services Department to jointly conduct the pilot program in order to benchmark the risk of lead poisoning in housing units occupied by public assistance clients. (December 03, 2005) Monroe County
Inspection disputes are raising suspicions in city - Norwood says there's an effort to derail legislation on lead paint - — Cases of renters refusing admittance to inspectors is on the rise in Rochester, and City Councilman Wade Norwood says the upswing is part of an effort to derail lead-based paint legislation before it gets on the books. The legislation — a rough outline of which will be circulated among City Council members this week — would tie lead checks to routine occupancy inspections. If inspectors can't get into the apartments, however, they can't find the problem. (November 27, 2005) Democrat and Chronicle
UR researcher explores lead's insidious effects - Science plays role in campaign against pollutant — As local leaders struggle to reduce Rochester children's exposure to lead, local scientists are learning that the pollutant can harm the body in countless subtle ways. Michael McCabe's lab researches how a wide range of environmental toxics, such as PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls), dioxins, mercury and lead, can transform biological systems. (November 23, 2005) Democrat and Chronicle
Lead study up for comment - A study gauging the impact of three proposed changes to Rochester city code that would make lead paint cleanup mandatory, particularly in pre-1978 rental properties, is the subject of a public hearing Tuesday at City Hall. Some studies have rated Rochester as one of the 10 U.S. cities with the worst lead paint problems. It remains in thousands of older homes and is especially dangerous when ingested in the form of paint chips or dust. Children age 6 and younger are most at risk. To see the study, go to www.cityofrochester.gov , click on "Your Government" and "What's New," or pick up a copy at the city clerk's office, public libraries or NET offices. The hearing is at 6:30 p.m. in council chambers at City Hall, 30 Church St. (Sept. 25, 2005) Democrat and Chronicle
Lead risky, but cleanup expensive - City hearing tonight will begin the balancing of hazards, costs -— The most stringent proposal to clean up lead paint in Rochester's older housing would cut deeply into landlord profits, hit the poorest neighborhoods hardest and raise the potential for abandonment of buildings, a consultant's report says. But Ecology and Environment Inc. of Lancaster, Erie County, found that cleanup expenses can be met under each of three alternatives now before City Council. Each proposal would change the city code to mandate cleanup, which now is voluntary and limited. The proposals vary in how many properties are affected and which must be inspected. The actual expense involved is not known. (September 27, 2005) Democrat and Chronicle
Lead taints 88% of older city homes - UR surveys exteriors in 2 neighborhoods; results called 'stunning' - UR surveys exteriors in 2 neighborhoods; results called 'stunning' - (July 30, 2005) — Close to 90 percent of older houses in Rochester's core neighborhoods show signs of exterior lead contamination. That's the conclusion of a University of Rochester Medical Center study released Friday. The study was based on intensive field inspections of houses in two neighborhoods during two weeks in mid-July. Democrat and Chronicle
Blues support anti-lead ads -Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, Rochester Region, on Tuesday announced a four-year grant of $140,000 to the Coalition to Prevent Lead Poisoning to help fund the Let's Make Lead History advertising campaign. (March 11, 2005) — Democrat and Chronicle
Preventing lead poisoning in Rochester - In the city of Rochester, almost a quarter of all children have lead poisoning. In some neighborhoods the rate is as high as 40 percent and there is no law that makes lead testing mandatory. Now, city council has a chance to change that. About 8 in 10 city houses have lead paint. When that lead gets into an infant's bloodstream it can impair his learning for life. 10NBC / WHEC TV-10
Lead paint problem in Rochester - News 10NBC first told you about the Rochester's lead paint problem last week and we've learned that on Tuesday, city leaders will be talking about that problem. A quarter of all city kids have lead poisoning. On Monday, News 10NBC found out a group will ask the city to do more to tackle the epidemic. A letter will go to city council members on Tuesday. The letter is from the "New York State Coalition of Property Owners and Businesses, " a group that represents about 5-thousand apartment and home owners in the city. (February 22, 2005) 10NBC / WHEC TV-10
Lead paint plan may be held up for a year — The city administration is pushing a new plan to reduce the danger of lead paint poisoning among children. The proposal — modeled after a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development program — focuses on trying to catch lead problems during city inspections of rental properties. (January 17, 2005) Democrat and Chronicle
Get an update on Lead Poisoning: Living on Earth: The Secret Life of Lead "If you, like most of us, don’t work in a scientific field, chances are the only time research grabs your attention is when the results of a study make headlines. But that’s just one brief, albeit important point in the scientific process. Behind those results are years of hard work, false starts and moments of inspiration." --from Living On Earth: Saturday, January 15, 2005
City to boost awareness of aid for ending lead hazards - Advertising aims to increase participation in $16M program. The city program, simply called "Lead," has received $8 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the city has pledged $8.5 million. The goal is to make a minimum of 600 housing units lead-safe. (November 18, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
$16.5 MILLION AVAILABLE TO HELP PROPERTY OWNERS "GET THE LEAD OUT" - The City today announced an expanded $16.5 million program of forgivable loans to help families and property owners to get rid of the lead poisoning hazards threatening the futures of children who live in Rochester’s older housing stock. As a result of that hazard in aging homes and apartments, the City has been going after--and getting--more federal money for lead hazard reduction and control. The funding (up to $24,000 per unit) provides help to families and an incentive to property owners to address the lead issues on their property. "I want Rochester residents and property owners to be fully aware, especially during National Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, that our children’s future and the future of this community depends on the health and welfare of our youngest citizens. The potential they represent is being jeopardized if we continue to ignore the presence of lead paint in our city properties," Mayor William A. Johnson Jr. said. City of Rochester
Get the lead out - Rochester, NYUSA - Close to a thousand children under of the age 6 who live in the city have lead poisoning. That's according to Rochester Mayor Bill Johnson. The mayor says that number is way too high and there needs to be a greater fight against lead poisoning in city homes. Tuesday morning he cut the ribbon on a new bus that advertises the city's GetThe Lead Out program. MSNBC - News
Democrat & Chronicle: Stubbs to guide anti-lead poisoning coalition — Ellen Stubbs, a nurse who has long been active with community groups, has been named one of three co-chairs of the local Coalition to Prevent Lead Poisoning. The appointment was made in response to concerns that the minority community has been largely excluded from the battle to prevent lead poisoning in Rochester. (July 18, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
REPORT SHOWS MIXED RESULTS FOR LEAD SCREENING RATES IN CHILDREN Signals Beginning of Inquiry - Attorney General Eliot Spitzer today released a report finding that certain Medicaid and Child Health Plus (CHP) managed care health plans have lead screening rates for infants and young children below the statewide average. The Attorney General's Health Care Bureau has begun an inquiry to determine whether plans are complying with state law that mandates universal lead screening and identify steps plans may take to increase their childhood lead screening rates. Senator David A. Paterson, Senator John Sampson, Councilman Bill Perkins, and the New York City Coalition to End Lead Poisoning joined Spitzer in the announcement to create awareness about the importance of childhood lead screening. Studies have demonstrated that lead poisoning can result in mental and physical impairments, such as cognitive deficits resulting in lower IQ scores, learning disabilities, behavioral problems, growth delays and hearing loss. A disproportionately high number of low-income, African-American children in New York City are victims of such poisoning. If lead poisoning is promptly detected though routine screening in the pre-school years, children can be effectively treated and lead contamination can be removed from their homes before severe damage occurs. Office of New York State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer
Democrat & Chronicle: Monroe County to toughen lead testing in homes — The Monroe County Health Department will adopt more stringent federal guidelines when inspecting houses in which children have suffered lead poisoning. County Executive Maggie Brooks on Thursday said the department will use “dust-wipe tests” in houses where a child has been found to have 15 micrograms of lead per deciliter of blood. (June 11, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
Democrat & Chronicle: Anti-lead policy toughened (June 10, 2004) — Leaders of the Coalition to Prevent Lead Poisoning this morning announced major policy changes with the aim of abating childhood lead poisoning. According to Bryan Hetherington, coalition co-chair, the Monroe County Health Department will adopt more stringent federal guidelines that require dust-wipe tests be conducted during inspections of residences in which children have been lead poisoned. (June 10, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
Coalition to End Childhood Lead Poisoning The number of children who have high levels of lead in their blood is decreasing. Monroe County Health Director Andrew Doniger released the results of a new lead poisoning study Thursday. The report shows the county has made progress in educating the public about the dangers of lead poisoning. More children are also getting tested. May. 20 -MSNBC - News Front Page
Democrat & Chronicle: Child lead cases in decline — A total of 1,019 children in Monroe County were found last year to have high levels of lead in their blood, according to statistics released Thursday by the Monroe County Department of Public Health.
The number marks a 17 percent decrease from the number of children in this category in 2002. The resumption of a downward trend comes after three years of little change in the local childhood lead poisoning rate. (May 21, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
Democrat & Chronicle: Gun club working with EPA — PENFIELD — A local firing range is working with the United States Environmental Protection Agency to make sure that lead contamination is not an issue. Last year, a Penfield resident expressed concern to the EPA that the suburban gun club could be contributing to lead pollution in the area. April 26, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
State urged to toughen lead paint re-tests, save children - A Rochester study found that most apartments cleaned under the state's guidelines were still well above the federal hazard standard, according to researcher Katrina Smith Korfmacher of the Rochester Environmental Health Sciences Center. (April 5, 2004) Newsday.com: News, Entertainment and Sports
Court rejects two lead lawsuits - Appeals judges unanimously decide that governments cannot be held liable.- The state's highest court ruled Thursday that local governments cannot be sued for failing to protect children from childhood lead poisoning, possibly saving Onondaga County millions. (March 26, 2004) Syracuse.com
Democrat & Chronicle: $300,000 offered to cut lead hazard — Grants of $1,000 will be available to 300 property owners in Rochester to reduce lead hazards. For additional information about the program and an application form, go to the public health section of the county Web site at www.monroecounty.gov or call (585) 274-8026.
Democrat & Chronicle: Unique anti-lead plan starts The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development last year awarded a $930,789 grant to the National Center for Healthy Housing to eliminate lead hazards in more than 25 home-based child care programs in Syracuse and Rochester. NHCC and its parent organization, The Enterprise Foundation, have so far leveraged an additional $349,000 using the grant. (February 21, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
Democrat & Chronicle: Lead poisoning appeal argued — ALBANY — The attorney for a woman whose twin sons were poisoned by lead in their Brewster apartment told the state’s highest court Tuesday that Putnam County should be held responsible.County health officials failed to warn Maria Nancy Pelaez of the dangers of remaining in the apartment after inspecting the unit in 1995, Manhattan attorney Nancy Fairchild Sachs told the Court of Appeals. The two boys, now 10, suffered lead poisoning and are in special education because of learning problems, Sachs said. (February 11, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
Democrat & Chronicle: Lead-paint lawsuit settled — A local child has been awarded a settlement worth more than a half-million dollars for lead-paint poisoning injuries she sustained in a city rental property nearly 10 years ago. (February 7, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
Democrat & Chronicle: Crime, lead poisoning linked? —$5.5 million from HUD spurs multifaceted war to protect kids The city is studying the link between local criminal behavior and lead poisoning, Mayor William A. Johnson Jr. said Wednesday. “We are now beginning to look backward at the records of all our victims of homicide as well as those accused of homicide to see if we can isolate lead paint poisoning as one of the driving factors in such a high rate of violence,” he said. (December 11, 2003)
Democrat & Chronicle: City starts delayed lead cleanup Homeowners and property investors in high-risk areas can get up to $13,000. — The city expects to announce the start of its Lead Hazard Reduction Program on Monday, three months after an already-delayed rollout date of mid-July, making good on a promise by the mayor last year to spend millions to rid houses of lead-tainted windows, doors and porches. (September 12, 2003) Democrat and Chronicle
Democrat & Chronicle: Vacuums join lead war here Northwest Community Services Inc. received a special delivery Wednesday — even if it only looked like a bunch of vacuum cleaners. In fact, they were High Efficiency Particulate Air vacuums, powerful little suckers capable of ridding a place of the tiniest of particles, such as lead dust, that regular vacuum cleaners tend to mash up and spew back out. (August 28, 2003) Democrat and Chronicle
Democrat & Chronicle: Lead poisoning prompts lawsuits — Several multimillion-dollar lawsuits have been filed against city landlords — one of them a prominent local real estate agent — accusing them of knowingly renting property with chipped, flaking and peeling lead paint to tenants with young children. (July 20, 2003) Democrat and Chronicle
Democrat & Chronicle: Lead persists in menacing lives — City program finally to start but won't help all - More than a year after the mayor announced that Rochester would shell out at least $5 million over the next three years to replace lead-tainted windows, doors and porches in some of its poorest neighborhoods, the money has yet to be spent. (July 13, 2003) Democrat and Chronicle
County Lowers Threshold For Lead Poisoning - On Tuesday, Monroe County lawmakers lowered the threshold for lead poisoning. The move means that the county health department will be able to visit, test, and follow up on more homes where children have become poisoned. (July 9, 2003) WOKR-TV 13 || ROCHESTER
WXXI: City School Children May Suffer From Lead Poisoning (2003-07-07) ROCHESTER, NEW YORK (2003-07-07) Rochester City Councilman and Elementary School Principal Tim Mains says some 24 percent of city elementary school students may suffer from lead poisoning.Mains says 11 percent of the children in his school have lead exposure according to their health records. The larger number comes from a study by the Center for Governmental Research. (July 7, 2003) Public NewsRoom
Democrat & Chronicle: Mains targets lead poisoning Councilman plans to make peeling paint a health violation - — A city councilman wants to make peeling paint inside houses a health and safety violation to help combat the problem of lead poisoning in Rochester. “By raising it to the level of a health and safety hazard, I’m making the violation more serious, require greater attention and require prompter response -- at least that’s my hope,” said Councilman Tim O. Mains. “And I’m also continuing to grind away at this issue that we need to find ways to be proactive in finding damaged housing before it damages children.” (June 8, 2003) Democrat and Chronicle
Democrat & Chronicle: Schumer calls for change in lead poisoning laws — U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer is calling on the federal government to change the legal threshold of what constitutes lead poisoning in children. A study of 172 Rochester children, published last week in The New England Journal of Medicine, concluded that children suffer intellectual impairment at blood-lead levels below 10 micrograms per deciliter -- currently considered acceptable by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (April 23, 2003) Democrat and Chronicle
Democrat & Chronicle: Rochester study: Lead damage occurs in kids at lower levels — Children exposed to even small amounts of lead face a higher risk of neurological damage than previously thought, according to a major study that tracked 172 children in Rochester. The study concluded that children suffer intellectual impairment at a blood-lead levels below 10 micrograms per deciliter -- currently considered acceptable by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (April 16, 2003) Democrat and Chronicle
Democrat & Chronicle: UR students lead lesson in lead-paint detection — Rochester councilman Tim O. Mains did something Saturday that he had never done before -- he did a wipe test for lead paint. “It’s something that’s very simple and easy to do,” said Mains, after conducting the test at 199 Campbell St. The home, which is under renovation, is in an area where hundreds of city children have lead paint poisoning. (April 6, 2003) —Democrat and Chronicle
Democrat & Chronicle: Lead-free unit gets $930,789— The National Center for Healthy Housing has been awarded $930,789 to establish lead-safe home-based child care centers in Onondaga County, Syracuse and Rochester. A total of $6.5 million was given to seven organizations nationwide to help prevent childhood lead poisoning in the home. (March 2, 2003) Democrat and Chronicle
Democrat & Chronicle: $2 million to fight lead paint in county — Monroe County’s efforts to control dangers related to lead-based paint will get a big boost with a $2 million federal grant. The grant, expected to be formally accepted by the Monroe County Legislature today, will help the county better address existing lead paint problems and take steps toward preventing elevated lead levels in children. (January 14, 2003) Democrat and Chronicle
Doyle Announces Lead Poisoning Prevention Initiative Monroe County Executive Jack Doyle today announced a lead poisoning prevention initiative involving the remediation of 420 homes and apartments in the City of Rochester. In addition, a "lead-free" home registry will be established to provide low-income parents with an easy-to-use resource to find affordable, safe housing for themselves and their children. Educational outreach programs and the distribution of cleaning kits to at-risk families will also be included in the effort.. (January 11, 2003) .Monroe County Press Releases
Syracuse college study links soil, lead poisoning - Local/Regional - theithacajournal.com - The Ithaca Journal SYRACUSE -- A new study suggests soil contamination plays a larger role in the lead poisoning of children than health officials previously thought, says a researcher at the State University College of Environmental Science and Forestry. Most local lead poison monitoring programs do not address lead in soil but if a three-year follow-up study currently under way at the state school confirms the findings about soil, there could be implications across the country in the battle against childhood lead poisoning. (December 2, 2002) theithacajournal.com - News and Information from Ithaca and Tompkins County, New York - The Ithaca Journal
Democrat & Chronicle: Funds to cut lead paint risks — Monroe County will be awarded $2,082,240 to continue its collaborative efforts in the city to combat lead paint hazards in low-income family homes. (November 24, 2002) Democrat and Chronicle
Slaughter calls for government to continue testing program Congresswoman Louise Slaughter is calling on the federal government to continue lead testing for children.(May 4, 2002) MSNBC Local News
Democrat & Chronicle: Bush's lead-testing plan for kids criticized here A Bush administration proposal to change the way states test poor children for lead poisoning is drawing sharp criticism from local politicians. If adopted, the change would end the federal requirement that all states test young children on Medicaid for elevated lead levels. Instead, states would be given flexibility to determine on their own which children should be tested. At the Orchard Street Community Health Center in northeast Rochester, a neighborhood with the fourth-highest lead toxicity rating in New York state, local officials gathered Friday to denounce the Bush plan. (May 4, 2002) DemocratandChronicle.com
Mayor Discusses Lead Paint Abatement Rochester, NY - Rochester's mayor spoke out about lead abatement Thursday night at a neighborhood meeting near School No. 17. During Mayor Bill Johnson's talk to the Sierra Club about suburban sprawl, he announced details on a new lead abatement program. Johnson said $1 million will be spent in 2002 to help get rid of lead paint in Rochester--particularly in the neighborhood surrounding School No. 17 in Dutchtown. (April 19, 2002) iKnowRochester.com
Lead Conference in Rochester It's no secret lead in our homes, businesses and schools has a serious effect on the learning abilities and behavior of children. Now doctors are getting serious about getting rid of it. (March 22, 2002) RNews: News Front - Rochester, NY's Only 24 Hour News
Lab to Put Lead Detection Technologies to the Test OAK RIDGE, TN, October 30, 2001 - Lead in the home poses a serious health hazard, especially for children. In fact, the US EPA estimates that one million US children have lead levels in their blood that are high enough to cause permanent injury. Lead poisoning can cause a host of problems within a child's body, from kidney and central nervous system damage to death at high levels. For these reasons, detecting and eliminating sources of lead contamination has been a major goal of the US government. (Tuesday, October 30, 2001) Yahoo Environment News
Lead Poisoning Cases Drop In Rochester Rochester, NY - Lead poisoning experts released some promising information Monday. The number of lead poisoning cases in Rochester has dropped in the last five years. That is not to say that the danger is gone, however. (Tuesday, October 2, 2001) iKnowRochester.com
Dangers of lead paint remain New research suggests 'safe' level in kids' blood may not be -- Rochester has come a long way in combating childhood lead poisoning, but there's a long way to go, said one of the organizers of today's regional conference on lead and its dangers. (Tuesday, October 2, 2001) -DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE
Gov't. Scrutinizes Lead Paint Study BALTIMORE (AP) - The government is investigating a lead-paint study of poor city children that a judge has likened to Nazi research on concentration camp prisoners. The probe is being conducted by the Health and Human Services (news - web sites) Department's Office for Human Research, which briefly shut down human research at Johns Hopkins University this year following the death of an asthma study volunteer. (Thursday, August 23, 2001) Yahoo News
Health Department Report Shows Dramatic Decline in New York State Childhood Lead Poisoning Cases State Media Campaign to Target High Lead Level Areas to Help Build on Progress Made Over the Past Four Years ALBANY, May 25, 2001 - The New York State Health Department today released the most comprehensive report on children's lead poisoning in State history. The report, "Protecting our Children from Lead: The Success of New York's Efforts to Prevent Childhood Lead Poisoning," looks at Zip code level data across the State and shows that in 1999, when compared to 1996, lead poisoning among children in New York State declined significantly. -- NYS Dept. of Health.
New York, watchdog clash over lead tests Health officials dispute laxity finding, say poisoning cases down. -- The state is not doing enough to make sure children are tested for lead poisoning, a problem that appears to be especially prevalent in Monroe County, a government watchdog says. (Friday, April 6, 2001) --DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE
Dems Propose Lead Pre-Testing In DSS Housing Rochester, NY - Dangerous levels of lead should be detected in a home before it shows up in a child's bloodstream, some Democrats in the Monroe County Legislature say. (April 4, 2001)iKnowRochester.com
Streets added to lead tests The city will end lead testing soon. CANANDAIGUA — Water from homes on a total of 15 streets can now be tested for excessive amounts of lead under a program funded by the city. In an effort to assure residents have safe drinking water, city staff has added Bristol Street, Bristol Court, Granger Street and Pleasant Street to the list of roads likely to have lead service lines. (March 29, 2001) Canandaigua.com
Lead Harms Children at Low Levels, Study Shows A study conducted at Children's Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati indicates that, despite previous thinking, there is no safe threshold for lead exposure in children. ( March 23, 2001) Environmental Media Services
How to prevent lead poisoning in children It’s referred to as the number one pediatric problem that is completely preventable. It causes hyperactivity, learning disabilities and even brain damage. The problem is lead poisoning and in some inner cities up to a quarter of all children have it. (February 28, 2001) 10NBC/WHEC TV-10
Lead Poisoning Dollar Plan The Monroe County legislature will consider a proposal next month, to spend $25,000 dollars on lead poisoning education. (February 14, 2001) RNews.com
Lead Poisoning Expert Meets With Local Leaders, Parents At School 17 Local officials and parents listen to lead poisoning expert Dr. Bruce Lanphear at a public forum on Monday. Rochester, NY - A national expert on lead poisoning has a frightening warning -- at least one out of every three children in Rochester is affected by lead poisoning. Dr. Bruce Lanphear met with city, county, and community leaders at Enrico Fermi School 17 Monday to discuss his latest research and how to create a "lead-safe" environment for children. (January 16, 2001) DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE
Crusade against lead on new tack County now focuses on one city neighborhood at a time. -- A renewed battle to reduce childhood lead poisoning here could start with a single neighborhood, Dr. Andrew S. Doniger, director of the Monroe County Health Department, declared Monday. (January 16, 2001) DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE
Lead Poisoning Seminar A leading expert of Lead Poisoning spoke to concerned parents and community members at Rochester's School 17 Monday. (January 15, 2001) RNews.
Lead poisoning focus of open forum The prevention of lead poisoning was the focus of an open forum with community leaders and advocacy groups Monday afternoon at Enrico Fermi School 17, 158 Orchard St. Dr. Bruce Lanphear of Cincinnati, a leading national expert on childhood lead poisoning, spoke at the meeting. (January 15, 2001) DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE
Community addresses lead About 75 attend a session on averting cases of poisoning -- Maureen Leigh knows firsthand about the devastating effects of childhood lead poisoning; she can see it every day in her classroom at School 17. (October 29, 2000) DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE
School Fights Lead in Kids (October 23, 2000) RNews.
Rochester coalition fights lead poisoning Nearly one in seven children tested in Monroe County have elevated levels of lead in their blood. A series of programs this week will attempt to heighten awareness of the county's lead-poisoning problem. (October 23, 2000) DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE
Alarming Lead Poisoning Rates In Rochester It is estimated that two out of five children in the city of Rochester are affected by lead poisoning. (September 27, 2000) RochesterToday
Make area `lead free,' says new initiative A new initiative is bringing together Rochester-area doctors, nurses, public health workers, housing professionals and community leaders to address the problem of childhood lead poisoning. (September 27, 2000) DEMOCRAT AND
High lead levels in some city school children High levels of lead are being found in some children on the city’s southwest side. (July 14, 2000) TOP NEWS From WHEC, and MSNBC
School 17 raises alarm over lead The principal of a city school plagued by the effects of lead poisoning made an impassioned plea to a community forum Wednesday for teamwork "to conquer this invisible monster that is hurting our children." (July 12, 2000) DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE
Remodelers, agencies strive to remove lead from homes New regulations and federal funds for cleanup go toward curbing harmful effects (May 23, 2000)--DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE
A once-grand neighborhood strips away its legacy of lead Decaying rental units in poor neighborhoods remain hazards for kids years after changes to paint and gas were made (May 22, 2000)--DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE
Children in danger: Lead's enduring threat Poverty, old housing stock and transiency complicate efforts to fight the harm caused when developing bodies absorb the element (May 22, 2000)--DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE
Former UR doctor stresses prevention (May 21, 2000) -- After years of investigating the effects of lead on children, Dr. Bruce P. Lanphear has developed a mantra: Prevention. Prevention. Prevention.--DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE
Teen thrives despite brush with lead Because he was tested as a tot, treatment and family's precautions averted harm that might have been (May 22, 2000)--DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE
Lead casts wider danger, study says Former Rochester doctor finds element at levels below current standard harms kids (May 16, 2000)--DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE
Lead exposure linked to delinquency --Enn.com News