New York ranks No. 1 in the nation for childhood lead exposures and poisonings.

Based on regular testing of total blood lead levels (BLLs), Oneida County is almost five times higher and Utica is 10 times higher than the New York state average incidence rate of 3.8.

Effects of high lead levels in children include brain and nervous system damage, behavior and learning problems, slowed growth, hearing problems, and headaches.

New York has no statewide system of mandatory inspections of old housing likely to contain lead hazards. Instead, the state inspects homes for lead after children have already tested positive for lead poisoning, and relies on landlords to repair lead poisoned housing.

Gov. Hochul and Attorney General James have recently voiced their commitment to tackle this crisis and several bills and funding measures are being considered, which we should all support. Legislation under consideration will ensure victims of lead poisoning are adequately compensated for related medical bills, require sellers of pre-1978 housing to disclose knowledge of lead based paint in residents, enable the state to administer rules to remove lead from residences and require water utilities to determine which service lines are made of lead.

Proposed funding includes $10 million to assist landlords in lead abatement and $50 million to prevent lead poisoning in our communities. 

We should all contact our state assembly and senators to support these proposed bills and funding to get the lead out of all homes in Utica and Oneida Country. Our children’s lives depend on it.

Carol Gable – Chair of Environmental Justice Committee

NAACP – Utica and Oneida County Chapter