{"id":1718,"date":"2019-03-13T18:48:12","date_gmt":"2019-03-13T18:48:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/?p=1718"},"modified":"2019-03-13T18:48:12","modified_gmt":"2019-03-13T18:48:12","slug":"city-council-votes-to-strengthen-lead-testing-and-reporting-requirements","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/2019\/03\/13\/1718\/","title":{"rendered":"City Council Votes to Strengthen Lead Testing and Reporting Requirements"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Council will vote on a package of bills expanding the scope of the city\u2019s lead contamination testing and reporting\u00a0<\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\n

City Hall \u2013<\/strong> The New York City Council on Wednesday
\nwill vote on a package of bills that will ensure the city is using the most
\nup-to-date federally recommended standards when testing for lead contamination.
\nThe Council will also expand lead paint testing requirements for multiple types
\nof sites at which children are at especially high risk for lead exposure. The
\nnew laws will require investigation and remediation
\nby the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) and by individual
\nlandlords for lead hazards in spaces where children routinely spend ten or more
\nhours a week. <\/p>\n

The Council will also vote to expand the reporting and
\nauditing requirements relating to the enforcement of the city\u2019s existing lead
\nlaws. The new laws will require DOHMH to put in place a linguistically and
\nculturally competent outreach and education campaign to increase awareness of
\nchildhood lead poisoning prevention. Additionally, the laws will require that
\nlocal community boards, relevant civic organizations, local school
\nsuperintendents, and the Council be notified if soil contaminants are found in
\na city development project. <\/p>\n

Reducing the City\u2019s Lead Reference levels <\/strong>  <\/p>\n

Introduction 865, <\/strong>sponsored by Council Speaker
\nCorey Johnson <\/em>would reduce the city\u2019s blood lead reference level to 5
\nmcg\/dL, reduce the city\u2019s lead paint definition from 1 milligram per square
\ncentimeter (mg\/cm2<\/sup>) of lead or greater to 0.5 mg\/cm2<\/sup> for
\nx-ray fluorescence analyzer (XRF) testing and from 0.5 percent metallic lead
\ncontent to 0.25 percent for lab paint chip sample analysis, and reduce the lead
\ndust definition from 40 micrograms per square foot (mcg\/f2<\/sup>) to
\n10mcg\/f2<\/sup>
\nfor floors, from 250mcg\/f2<\/sup> to 50mcg\/f2<\/sup> for
\nwindowsills, and from 400 mcg\/f2<\/sup> to 100mcg\/f2<\/sup> for
\nwindow wells. As of June 1, 2021, the lead dust definition would be lowered to 5
\nmcg\/f2<\/sup>
\nfor floors, 40 mcg\/f2<\/sup> for window sills, and remain 100 mcg\/f2<\/sup> for
\nwindow wells.  <\/p>\n

\u201cThis Council is committed to protecting the most
\nvulnerable among us, our children. Lead poisoning isn\u2019t just a public health
\nissue \u2013 it is a racial and economic justice issue because low-income
\ncommunities and children of color are the most at risk to lead exposure. This
\npackage of bills is a big step forward in our fight to ensure existing lead
\nlaws protect our children from lead poisoning. I thank all my colleagues for
\ntheir work to pass these bills today and for their commitment to this Council\u2019s
\nongoing efforts to create the strongest and most protective anti-lead poisoning
\nregulatory framework in the country here in New York City,\u201d
\nsaid Council Speaker Corey Johnson. <\/strong> <\/p>\n

Extending Requirements for Lead-Based Paint Testing Day Care Facilities\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Introduction 920, <\/strong>sponsored by Council Member Mark Treyger, <\/em>would extend current requirements for day care facilities operating in structures erected before January 1, 1978, to other facilities serving children under 6, including preschools, nursery schools, and, where applicable, elementary schools.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe most common cause of lead poisoning is exposure to lead paint, and young children are most often at risk. My legislation will take common sense regulations about testing and remediation for hazardous lead paint at day care facilities and apply them to other facilities that serve children under the age of six, including schools, pre-schools, and nursery schools. This bill is a measure to help us meet our responsibility to protect the health of every child in our city. I\u2019m proud that this legislation is part of the Council\u2019s comprehensive approach toward fighting back against lead poisoning, and I thank Speaker Corey Johnson for his leadership on this issue,\u201d said Council Member Mark Treyger.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Requiring First-Draw Samples When Testing for Lead in Water<\/strong><\/p>\n

Introduction 871, <\/strong>sponsored by Council Member Joseph Borelli, <\/em>would require that any testing of water from a fixture or other source for lead that is required by law includes a first-draw sample from such source. If a water lead action level is established by federal, state, or local law or rule that requires new sampling requirements, this legislation would allow the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) to adopt new sampling requirements by rule.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve been calling on the Department of Education for years to tighten their lead testing policy for school drinking water. It\u2019s been frustrating to watch so many repeat test failures and I really credit and thank Speaker Corey Johnson for recognizing how absolutely critical this issue is and pushing this bill forward. Now the Department of Education will be forced to utilize best practices for regular lead testing and our children will be safer for it,\u201d said Council Member Joe Borelli.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Expanding Reporting Requirements on Lead Poisoning
\nPrevention and Control<\/strong>  <\/p>\n

Introduction 918, <\/strong>sponsored by Council Member
\nRitchie Torres, <\/em>would expand reporting requirements under the city\u2019s
\nexisting lead laws for the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) and
\nthe Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD). The legislation
\nwould also strengthen the city\u2019s auditing of landlords to ensure their
\ncompliance with the requirements under the city\u2019s lead laws.  <\/p>\n

\u201cThis legislation will enhance and expand reporting
\nrequirements on lead, to ensure transparency on behalf of city agencies that
\nimplement the city\u2019s lead laws. By ensuring more accountability and clarity,
\nthis bill will provide information on the effectiveness of our lead laws and
\nlandlord compliance. I look forward to its passage and enactment into law,\u201d
\nsaid Council Member Ritchie Torres.<\/strong> <\/p>\n

Requiring Investigation by DOHMH of Places Where
\nChildren Identified with Elevated Blood Lead Levels Routinely Visit<\/strong>  <\/p>\n

Introduction 464, <\/strong>sponsored by Council Member
\nDaniel <\/em>Dromm<\/em>, <\/em>would require the Department of Health and Mental
\nHygiene (DOHMH) to investigate potential sources of elevated blood lead levels
\nin children, including the inspection of any dwelling where a child with an
\nelevated blood lead level spends 10 or more hours per week. This bill would
\nalso add to existing lead hazard remediation requirements for facilities
\nproviding day care services, requiring them to post notices describing any
\norder to remediate a lead hazard, and to remediate such hazard within 21 days.
\nFinally, building owners would be required to investigate and remediate lead
\nhazards where a child routinely spends 10 or more hours per week within a
\ndwelling unit. This legislation would protect children by expanding the number
\nof apartments that landlords are required to inspect and remediate under the
\ncity\u2019s lead law and is not intended to supersede any existing duty of care that
\nlandlords owe their tenants or their families.  <\/p>\n

\u201cIntro. 464-B helps NYC put a stop to one of the city’s most insidious public health crises: the continued lead-poisoning of our children,\u201d said Council Member Daniel Dromm<\/strong>. \u201cMy legislation will protect thousands of young people by expanding the definition of the term ‘resides’ to cover cases where children become exposed to lead while spending extended time with temporary caretakers. This bill fills a gap in the current code and, as a result, protects New York\u2019s children from the myriad health risks associated with lead poisoning, including irreversibly impairing neurological development, causing behavioral disorders, and reducing educational attainment.\u00a0 I am grateful to Speaker Johnson and Chair Cornegy for their support of this important effort.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Requiring Education and Outreach Regarding Childhood
\nLead Poisoning Prevention<\/strong>  <\/p>\n

Introduction 881, <\/strong>sponsored by Council Member Daniel Dromm, <\/em>would require the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) to establish and implement an education and outreach program to increase awareness of childhood lead poisoning prevention. The bill would also require the program to include linguistically and culturally competent education and outreach tailored to limited English proficient individuals and specific immigrant populations. To achieve this end, measures identified in the bill include language assistance tools, production of education materials, community outreach, and advertisements in multiple public locations.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThe city needs to ensure that our families are aware of the negative impact lead can have on a child’s health,\u201d said Council Member Daniel Dromm<\/strong>. \u201cIntro. 881-A will ensure that New Yorkers are educated on lead hazards by launching a public education and outreach program.\u00a0 The program will be tailored to meet the needs of NYC’s diverse communities, including adults who have limited English proficiency. Because of this bill, fewer low income and immigrant families will suffer the pain and hardship that results in having a child exposed to lead. I thank Speaker Johnson and Chair Levine for their continuous support of this legislation.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Requiring City Agencies Provide Information Related to Lead Hazards to Parents\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Introduction 1117, <\/strong>sponsored by Council Member Laurie Cumbo, <\/em>would require certain city agencies to provide materials describing building owners\u2019 responsibilities under the city\u2019s lead laws, including their duty to remediate all lead-based paint hazards upon turnover of any dwelling unit, to parents or guardians of a child under 7 years of age, when such parents or guardians seek services from such agencies. These agencies would also be required to inform parents or guardians when they seek services, that they can obtain, without cost or payment, an inspection of their dwelling unit for peeling paint, a deteriorated subsurface, or an underlying defect by calling 311, and a lead testing kit for drinking water from the Department of Environmental Protection. <\/p>\n

Requiring Notice Be Given When Contaminants are Found in
\nthe Soil <\/strong> <\/p>\n

Introduction 1063, <\/strong>sponsored by Council Member Robert Holden, <\/em>would require notice to the community board and to the Council Member within five business days of discovering or becoming aware of a hazardous level of lead in soil as a result of an environmental subsurface investigation in any city development project.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cAll of these bills are common sense measures to improve transparency, safety, awareness and testing for potential lead contamination, an issue that has endangered our citizens for far too long,\u201d said Council Member Robert Holden<\/strong>. \u201cI am proud to sign in support of my fellow Council members\u2019 legislation, and I thank them for supporting mine, as we strive to make this city safer together.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Requiring the Department of Environmental Protection
\nMake Available to the Public a Map with All Known Lead Water Service Lines<\/strong>  <\/p>\n

Introduction 709, <\/strong>sponsored by Council Member
\nJimmy Van Bramer, <\/em>wouldrequire the Department of Environmental
\nProtection (DEP) to provide, on the city\u2019s website, an interactive map with
\ninformation regarding the known lead water service lines and to make best
\nefforts to identify all lead water service lines, including privately owned
\nservice lines. It also requires the department to provide information to users
\nabout lead contamination prevention, lead water test kits and how to replace
\nlead service lines. The department must replace any known lead water service
\nlines that are owned by the department no later than December 31, 2025.
\nThereafter the department must provide to the council and the mayor an annual
\nreport on the locations of all known lead water service lines, efforts underway
\nto replace lead water supply mains and service lines and the status of public
\noutreach and education efforts on the prevention of lead contamination.  <\/p>\n

\u201cIt is imperative that New Yorkers know when there are
\ntoxic levels of lead in our drinking water and how to prevent contamination,\u201d said
\nCouncil Member Jimmy Van Bramer.<\/strong> \u201cThis critical legislation would require
\nunprecedented depth and transparency in reporting lead poisoning by creating an
\ninteractive and searchable online map identifying all known lead water service
\nlines in New York City. Making this data available and engaging in public
\noutreach and education around this issue will better protect children and
\nfamilies from dangerous lead poisoning.\u201d <\/p>\n

Requiring Agencies Inform Parents of Lead Testing
\nServices<\/strong>  <\/p>\n

Introduction 877, <\/strong>sponsored by Council Member
\nRobert <\/em>Cornegy<\/em>, <\/em>would require certain city agencies to provide a
\npamphlet or other materials regarding lead hazards, including information on
\nhow to obtain a blood lead screening, to the parents or guardians of a child
\nunder 7 years of age, when such parents or guardians seek a service from such
\nagencies. <\/p>\n

\u201cKeeping our children safe from the dangers of lead is
\nparamount to providing them with the best opportunity to succeed in life,\u201d said
\nCouncil Member Robert E. <\/strong>Cornegy<\/strong>, Jr.<\/strong> \u201cUpdating the city\u2019s lead standards, and
\nproviding additional and more thorough safeguards to ensure the children of
\nthis city are safe from lead poisoning is, therefore, a no-brainer. I look
\nforward to the passage of this entire package of legislation, which I am
\nconfident will help eradicate lead poisoning in this city once and for all.\u201d <\/p>\n

Requesting the New York State Legislature Pass S.4331
\nand A.6449<\/strong> <\/p>\n

Senate Legislation Resolution 1, <\/strong>sponsored by
\nCouncil Member Andrew Cohen, <\/em>requests thatthe state legislature
\nallow the city to deploy up to 750 speed limit enforcement cameras in school safety
\nzones across the city. Speed cameras have been shown to significantly slow
\nvehicular speeds and save lives. It would also improve the city\u2019s ability to
\ncollect fines for the speed zone violations. <\/p>\n

The Council will also vote on the following four Article
\nXI property tax exemptions at the following locations: <\/p>\n

67-69 St. Nicholas Avenue<\/strong> in Council Member Bill
\nPerkins’ district that will facilitate the  <\/p>\n

preservation of a 26-unit HDFC building as affordable
\nhousing. <\/p>\n

East
\nVillage Homes <\/strong>in Council Member Carlina Rivera\u2019s district to facilitate the construction of 53
\nunits of affordable housing on vacant city-owned property. <\/p>\n

32-34
\nPutnam Cluster <\/strong>in Majority Leader Cumbo and Council Member Robert Cornegy’s districts to
\nfacilitate the preservation of 56 cooperative and rental units. <\/p>\n

Finally, the Council will vote on the following land use
\nitems: <\/p>\n

Douglaston Parkway Rezoning<\/strong> <\/p>\n

The rezoning will facilitate two developments: an
\neight-story building and a five-story building, resulting in approximately 83
\ndwelling units, of which approximately 34 are required to be permanently
\naffordable, and which will be \u201caffordable independent residences for seniors.\u201d
\nThe project is located in Council Member Paul Vallone’s district. <\/p>\n

570 Fulton Street <\/strong> <\/p>\n

An application in Majority Leader Cumbo’s district, to
\nfacilitate the development of a 40-story tower with 100,000 square feet of
\noffice space and 100,000 square feet of residential space. The Council is
\nmodifying the application to restrict the Special Permit from being able to be
\nused for a hotel development. <\/p>\n

Williamsbridge Rezoning <\/strong> <\/p>\n

An application submitted by 2712 Radcliff Yates Realty LLC
\nin Council Member Mark Gjonaj’s district, to facilitate the development of a 7-story
\n30-unit building with 4,825 square feet of commercial space.  <\/p>\n

Betances V1<\/strong> <\/p>\n

An application submitted by NYCHA, to facilitate the
\ndevelopment of a 15-story mixed use building with 100 affordable housing units
\nin Council Member Diana Ayala’s district.  The Council is modifying the
\napplication to remove MIH Option 2. <\/p>\n

### <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Council will vote on a package of bills expanding the scope of the city\u2019s lead contamination testing and reporting\u00a0<\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\n

City Hall \u2013<\/strong> The New York City Council on Wednesday
\nwill vote on a package of bills that will ensure the city is using the most
\nup-to-date federally recommended standards when testing for lead contamination.<\/p>\n

…<\/p>\n

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