The New York State Assembly passed a bill requiring the State Health Department to identify the 30 cities outside New York City with the worst lead-paint-poisoning problems. Additionally it dictates that the SHD then work with counties to develop plans to reduce the incidence of the problem once exposed.
Sponsored in the Assembly by David Gantt (D Rochester) it now moves to the State Senate and sponsored by Joe Robach (R Monroe County) where it has to get through the hands of Joe Bruno.This no-brainer has been stalled in Albany for many years, not for lack of public support, but because NYC slumlords heavily lobbied against it because they might have to do upgrades in their units.
To get this passed through the two houses this time, NYC had to be cut out of the proposal. Thanks to Robach (pictured left) for delivering this to the Senate.
According to a recent article in the Poughkeepsie Journal, 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, and this is clearly stated in all the documents presented to members of the Assembly and Senate. Children who get too much lead in their systems - mostly through breathing air that includes dust from the paint - risk serious brain injuries and other developmental problems.
Small cities like Kingston, Poughkeepsie and Newburgh have pockets of older, economically stressed neighborhoods which lend themselves to layers of lead paint inside. A study back in 2005 had over 3,000 children diagnosed with elevated lead content in brain deposits. That would seem outrageous since lead paint has been outlawed in New York State since 1978.
In case you’re a landlord who has neglected your older properties or plan to rectify this problem, the state is offering tax credits to cover 50% of the cost of projects to remove lead paint.
The question is, will our local Senators step up and pass this legislation?
Contact Stephen M. Saland , Bill Larkin, John J. Bonacic, Joseph E. Robach, and
Joseph L. Bruno to show your support from the Hudson Valley.
3 comments:
To remove lead professionally, you need certification. The office of Community Development has information on the courses you must take to be certified.
Ground floor of Kingston City Hall, see Fred.
Many contractors just seem to take the questionable trim and doors to the dump without special handling. When the building Dept offers a permit, does anyone inspect? Are they aware of the lead or asbestos removal in these houses? When do we start getting our tax dollars worth out of these employees?
I have spoken to Fred in the community development office. The courses are to make contractors eligible for the municipal housing jobs. You need certification for anything funded through taxes.
However, what any of us do with such debris is handled differently for each contractor. Using masks and gloves, we let UCRRA take it seperately if we suspect it is lead paint, other contractors wouldnt know lead, murcury or asbestos if it labled. So it goes in the general refuse pile.
As for inspections? They were very attentive during my renovation of the Furnace St warehouse a few years ago, so I experienced their inspection process.
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