Litigation

Urge New York Governor Patterson To Sign Lead Paint Abatement Legislation

By Michael Kaplen

Lead poisoning can cause irreversible brain damage in infants, toddlers and young children. It can lead to reduced attention spans, hyperactivity and problems in school. Children exposed to lead face high risk of brain damage and developmental disabilities.

The use of lead paint was banned in 1978, but exposure in homes built prior to that year continues, particularly in Central and Upstate New York. Homes built before 1950 have especially high levels of lead, and New York has the most homes built before 1950 of any state in the nation.

The lead generally comes from deteriorating lead-based paint. Over time, the paint turns into poisonous dust that can find its way into children's systems through their hands and mouths.

New legislation in New York which awaits action by Governor Paterson seeks to address this health crisis.   

Current state law requires local health departments to look for sources of lead only after a child has been identified through a blood test as a victim of lead poisoning. The  bill would require the state to develop lead poisoning prevention plans for 30 lead "hot spots," throughout the State.

Under the legislation, homeowners and landlords who rid their properties of lead paint would receive tax credits to cover half of their costs. Credits would max out at $1,500 per property and $5,000 per taxpayer. The bill also would improve lead poisoning screenings for 1- and 2-year-olds, as well as pregnant women, and all children under the age of 6 who are considered at risk. If the governor signs the bill, it would provide incentives for landlords to clean their homes of lead paint. New York also for the first time would be eligible to receive millions of dollars in grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to train and certify lead abatement workers.

This would be the first major lead bill approved by the Legislature since 1992, when "universal" screening become mandatory. Health care providers in the state now must test every child for lead at ages 1 and 2.

Full post as published by Brain Injury News and Information on October 06, 2008 (boomark / email).