Over 3500 water fountains in New York’s parks will be tested for lead contamination in the next couple of weeks. Contrary to popular belief that this must be a result of discovering lead contamination in the water, not one of NYC parks water fountain was ever found to contain any level of lead. The lead testing initiative is part of the city’s LeadFreeNYC program, outlined by Mayor Bill de Blasio earlier this year to further lower and eventually eliminate any amount of lead exposure New Yorkers get.
Dangers of LEAD in NYC
What makes Lead Dangerous and Why should you test your children for elevated blood lead levels?
A number of factors increase the likelihood of lead exposure and risks.
- Building built before 1970 when lead in paint was standard practices.
- Children under the age of 6 living in the apartment
The effects of lead poisoning are . This form of poisoning leads to major problems that include reduced IQ, brain damage, slurred speech, behavioral disorders, fine motor skills development issues, and lifetime negative health effects. It causes victims to need speech and occupational therapy treatments on an ongoing basis. And Lead Poisoning is preventable!
How does lead get INTO the Water?
Drinking water can become contaminated when pipes, faucets and other plumbing fixtures containing lead corrode, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
#LEADFREENYC
In January 2019, NYC Mayor de Blasio announced LeadFreeNYC, a Comprehensive Plan to End Childhood Lead Exposure. Under the new plan, within 24 months every new apartment, every source of lead and every child would be screened for lead exposure and dealt with accordingly.
The Lead Free NYC plan is not an entirely new one. Since 2004 the City’s Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Act has required landlords to identify and remediate lead-based paint hazards in the apartments of young children, using trained workers and safe work practices.
The new LeadFreeNYC plan aims to:
- Enforce existing laws and regulations
- Develop new prevention and mitigation programs across NYC agencies and the City Council.
- Pass new legislation aimed at eliminating lead exposure in New York City
When LEAD Becomes A Serious Health Hazard
Despite the fact that there is no safe lead level It is continuous exposure the danger is far greater. Dr. Landrigan has warned that smoking greatly multiplies the chances of getting lung cancer after a person has become exposed to asbestos and living in a peeling lead based paint apartment over time increases the risk.
The Importance of Calling A Professional
While it may be tempting to try and test for lead and remove it on your own.. don’t!
The American Lung Association strongly recommends that you retain a professional like a certified lead inspection NYC worker to gather potentially harmful lead and asbestos samples for testing NYC. This will allow you to reduce the likelihood of dangerous lead and asbestos exposure for your family. NYTDR offers lead removal NYC.
Should any swab tests of your apartment building in NYC reveal that building surfaces or paint used contain lead you will be require t lead removal NYC.
You can take stronger precautions still. If you fear that your apartment has lead, you can wear filter masks when you clean. If you elect to do this, remember that surgical masks do not impede tiny particles. You would have to get a N95 mask that is approved and recommended by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.y at your local hardware store or Home Depot. These are the safety masks that carpenters swear by in their daily work.
