Public Health

nychealth:

NYC Health has found that New York City childhood lead poisoning cases have dropped 17% from 2010 to 2011 and the number of childhood lead poisonings have declined 56% since 2005.

While there have been dramatic declines in the number of childhood lead poisoning cases in NYC, lead poisoning still poses a potential health risk for young children living in older, poorly maintained housing. Peeling lead paint is the primary cause of lead poisonings amongst NYC children. 

October 21-27, 2012 is National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week. NYC Health reminds you of 5 simple ways to protect your children from lead poisoning:

1. Report peeling paint to your building owner, if your building owner doesn’t fit it, call 311;
2. Remind your doctor to test your children for lead poisoning at ages 1 and 2, ask about testing older children;
3. Wash floors, window sills, hands, toys and pacifiers often;
4. Don’t use imported products known to contain lead- such as foods, spices, medicines, herbal health products, clay pots and dishes, cosmetics and toys
5. Use only cold tap water to make baby formula for drinking and cooking- run the water for a few minutes first.

Visit www.nyc.gov/lead for more information.