$2 Million Lead Prevention Plan Tackles Homes With Lead Paint Renovations and Outreach is the Plan to Reduce Lead Poisoning in Syracuse

Syracuse, N.Y. (NCC News)- Houses with flaking and peeling paint can be seen on nearly every block in the area surrounding Delaware Elementary. For some this may indicate a home’s old age or maintenance neglect, but to a person who knows what lead paint looks like it’s a cause for concern. The CNY Community Foundation hopes a $2 million grant will help lower lead poisoning in Syracuse. 

© 2018 Karyssa D'Agostino

“We do a great deal of education and door to door outreach and work in the community to make sure people are getting the appropriate information,” said Debra Lewis, lead program coordinator with the Onondaga County Health Department.

According to the Department, 678 children tested positive for elevated levels of lead in their blood last year. Those elevated levels can cause antisocial behavior and reduced attention spans, according to the World Health Organization. The group says those levels can even reduce IQs.

Higher levels can cause coma, convulsions and death.

The Health Department encourages people to get their blood levels tested. Though New York State Law that requires all children be tested for elevated blood levels at age 1 and again at 2, there is no definite way to make sure all children are tested.

“”There are some obstacles that exist with testing,” Lewis said. “They are based on where families live and what access they might have to transportation or care.”

Making a home lead safe means making sure lead paint is not deteriorating in anyway — not cracking, flaking, chipping or peeling, according to  the Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA also says lead paint in the home can be an issue if it is on things that children can put in their mouths.

There is a grant program that families can apply for to help pay for lead home repairs.

“To completely remove lead would be so tremendously expensive that it’s not realistic,” Vice President of Community Investment Frank Ridzi said. “Our goal is to make these homes lead safe.”

They will be partnering with multiple groups to make sure homes in the Syracuse area are inspected for lead. Those that have lead will get fresh coats of paint and new windows and doors that are painted lead free.

© 2018 Karyssa D'Agostino

Knowing what lead paint looks like and knowing the resources that can help you remove lead paint from your home are key steps to helping lead poisoning in Syracuse.

“It’s really important that people who live in older homes make sure they pay attention to what the paint looks like,” Lewis said. “If the paint is starting to break down and  it looks suspiciously like alligator skin.”