October 29th, 2026
More children tested in 2025; results released during National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week
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The number of Monroe County children found to have elevated blood lead levels decreased by 27% in 2025, even as the number of children tested increased, the Monroe County Department of Public Health announced today.
Of the 14,556 children tested in 2025, 217 had elevated blood lead levels of 5 micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL) or higher, compared with 299 in 2024. The number of children tested increased by 7% over the previous year.
“The decline in children with elevated blood lead levels is encouraging, but we still have too many children being exposed to lead in their homes,” said Monroe County Executive Adam Bello. “We’ve invested in programs to identify and remove lead hazards because the best way to protect children is to prevent exposure in the first place. We will continue supporting that work alongside our community partners.”
“Lead exposure can have lasting effects on a child’s ability to learn, grow and thrive,” said Commissioner of Public Health Dr. Marielena Vélez de Brown. “The harm can occur before a child shows any symptoms, which is why we can’t rely on signs of illness to tell us there’s a problem. Regular testing is essential to identifying children who have been exposed and making sure they get the care and follow-up they need.”
When a child is found to have an elevated blood lead level, the Monroe County Department of Public Health’s Lead Poisoning Prevention Program provides follow-up care, including medical case management and educational outreach to families. Program staff also investigate homes where affected children live or regularly spend time to identify sources of lead exposure. When hazards are found, the department can order property owners to correct them using EPA-compliant lead-safe procedures.
New York State requires all children to be tested for lead at ages 1 and 2. Health care providers must also assess children for lead exposure at routine well-child visits through age 6 and test those found to be at risk.
Parents and caregivers who have questions about lead testing or possible exposure should talk with their child’s healthcare provider.
Many homes in Monroe County predate lead safety regulations and the 1978 federal ban on lead-based paint in residential housing. Deteriorating lead-based paint and lead-contaminated dust from older housing are the most common sources of lead exposure and childhood lead poisoning in our community.
The Coalition to Prevent Lead Poisoning works with community partners to reduce childhood lead exposure and promote safer housing throughout Monroe County.
“Childhood lead poisoning is 100% preventable, and every family in Monroe County deserves a lead-safe home,” said Clare Henrie, Program Director of the Coalition to Prevent Lead Poisoning at CauseWave Community Partners. “These encouraging numbers show that our members’ collective efforts are making a real difference. However, they also show that our work isn’t done and we will continue building on our progress so that very child in our community can have a lead-safe future.”
Among the 217 children found to have elevated blood lead levels in 2025, 155 had blood lead levels between 5 and 9.9 µg/dL, 30 had levels between 10 and 14.9 µg/dL, 17 had levels between 15 and 19.9 µg/dL and 15 had levels of 20 µg/dL or higher.
What elevated blood lead levels mean
There is no known safe level of lead in a child’s blood. Even low levels of exposure can harm brain development and contribute to learning and behavioral problems. Children with higher blood lead levels may need more frequent testing, medical follow-up and additional steps to identify and eliminate sources of exposure. Families and caregivers can learn more about lead poisoning prevention by visiting https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/lead/.
