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HomeEmergency9,000 NYC Apartments with Lead-Based Paint Risks for Children - 3 Times Previously Thought

9,000 NYC Apartments with Lead-Based Paint Risks for Children – 3 Times Previously Thought

9,000 NYC Apartments with Lead-Based Paint Risks for Children – 3 Times Previously Thought

Today New Yorkers learned that the number of NYC apartments with children at risk to lead exposure is much greater than once thought – 6,000 apartments have been added to the 3,000 previously reported number.

The information comes via a statement issued by NYCHA (NYC Housing Authority) Federal Monitor Bart. M. Schwartz.

Mr. Schwartz, who began his position on March 1, 2019, had the following to say:

“NYCHA reported to us this week that as a result of its dialogue with residents during in-apartment XRF testing visits, and NYCHA’s “door knocking” campaign, through which NYCHA directly engages residents,  it has identified a significantly larger number of apartments where children under six reside who might be exposed to lead risks. Approximately 6,000 apartments have been added to the count available two years ago, which was around 3,000 based on an annual certification process.”

As part of his LeadFreeNYC Plan, NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio kicked off a lead-based paint testing program aimed at “prioritizing developments with the highest population of children under the age of 6, which is the age recognized in the City’s law requiring landlords to conduct regular lead-based paint visual assessments.”

“New York City has driven down the number of kids exposed to lead by 90 percent, and now we will finish the mission,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio at the time.  “For the first time ever, we’re going into 135,000 NYCHA apartments to eradicate lead exposure. This aggressive new testing plan will help make New York the healthiest and fairest big city in America.”

When asked about this today during his press conference the Mayor had the following to say:

“I’m concerned that we have to reach every single child, every single family. We have to eradicate lead point paint poisoning in New York City. That I want to be really clear, we have a Vision Zero approach. In the past, some really important reforms were taken in this city and then some missteps happened for sure over multiple administrations, but in the end, what’s important now is we have the clearest plan the city has ever had and there’s a plan to literally eliminate lead paint poisoning once and for all. It can be done. It must be done.”

Maya Wiley who is running for Mayor of NYC issued the following statement:

“This report is outrageous. Children in 9,000 city controlled public housing apartments may suffer for the rest of their lives because the government has failed them. We should be absolutely ashamed. Decades of disinvestment and neglect have led to unacceptable and unhealthy conditions for NYCHA residents, but they are not an excuse for the continued mismanagement and neglect that puts New York’s children at risk. As Mayor, I will fight to make sure more resources and investments go to NYCHA so that the more than 400,000 residents can live with dignity. NYCHA residents deserve better than promises, they deserve results.”

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