Lead Poisoning Prevention

Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program

Picture of lead level in paint being determined by an XRF device.

Phone: 585 753-5087
Fax: 585 753-5025

Maintains a database registry of more than 90,000 children who have been tested for elevated blood lead levels throughout Monroe County that includes all medical and environmental management information on each child.
Provides medical case management and educational outreach to families for all children with blood lead levels >=10 µg/dl (micrograms per deciliter).
Conducts environmental investigations of primary and secondary residences of children 0-72 months of age with venous lead levels >=10 µg/dl. Investigations include a full educational intervention as well as the identification of conditions conducive to lead poisoning (lead hazards), issuance of a Notice and Demand to the property owner to eliminate the hazards by a specified time-frame, and reinvestigation to verify compliance. Each unit must also pass a “Lead Dust Clearance.” The Lead Program enforces the NYS Sanitary Code Part 67-2, the Monroe County Sanitary Code and Public Health Law relating to lead hazards.
The Notice and Demand requires Lead Safe Work Practices Training for all persons conducting the lead hazard control work. The purpose of this class is to provide workers with information they need to understand that lead-based paint can create health hazards and using proper work practices can control hazards. The Monroe County Department of Public Health provides this training for FREE.
Provides community-wide education on lead poisoning issues to the general public, health professionals, property owners, painting contractors, parent groups, etc. This is provided in the form of formal presentations, informational kiosks throughout Monroe County, distribution of informational brochures, Health Fairs, Home Shows and Exhibitions.
Responds to complaints of improper/unsafe lead hazard control activities and issues Cease and Desist Orders to stop unsafe practices, order cleanup of lead contamination, and assures that cleanup is performed properly.

Recent Toy Recalls for Lead Content

In response to an increased number of toy recalls related to lead, the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) has provided a Lead Hazards Recall Page. You can find pictures and links to recent toy recalls for lead, as well as fact sheets for parents and health care providers.

NYSDOH Lead Hazards Product Recalls

Picture of person wet scraping lead based paint

Lead Skills Training (FREE)

Common renovation activities like sanding, cutting, and demolition can create hazardous lead dust and chips by disturbing lead-based paint, which can be harmful to adults and children. This grant funds FREE Lead Skills Training. Training is located in Rochester, New York and is provided by Cornell University – Industrial Labor Relations.

Click here for information on FREE 8-hour training.

Lead Hazard Control Grant

The Monroe County Department of Public Health was awarded a “Lead Hazard Control Grant” from The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Office of Healthy Homes & Lead Hazard Control.

For more information, go to our HUD Lead Hazard Control Grant page

EPA Disclosure Information for Property Owners, Renters and Renovators

Cover of the Protect Your Family From Lead In Your Home brochure.

Two federal laws regarding notification and disclosure of lead information may affect you before you sell or remodel your property:

BEFORE YOU SELL/RENT
Effective December 1996, as per Section 1018 of the Residential Lead Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992, sellers and landlords must disclose information on known lead-based paint and lead-based paint hazards in residential housing, and provide any available reports to prospective buyers or renters. In addition, sellers and landlords must give buyers and renters the pamphlet entitled “Protect Your Family from Lead in your Home” and keep a record of such distribution. All real estate closings should include a disclosure form as part of the transaction.
BEFORE YOU RENOVATE
Effective December 2008, as per 40 CFR Part 745 Lead; Renovation, Repair and Painting Program and Section 406(b) of the Toxic Substance Control Act, Title IV- Lead Exposure Reduction, renovators and remodelers working for compensation, are required to distribute the pamphlet “Renovate Right” to owners and occupants of most residential housing built before 1978 before commencing renovation activity. Minor housing repairs, maintenance, and emergency repairs are excluded from this notification requirement.
Effective April 22, 2010 renovators, remodelers and trades that disturb paint on housing built before 1978 are to work under an EPA Lead-Safe Certified Firm. The Lead-Safe Certified Firm is to provide an EPA Certified Renovator for various stages of work. The Certified Renovator is responsible for the on the job training of other workers.
Link to EPA for detailed information on new Federal Lead Rules for Contractors