NYPIRG is working to eliminate lead poisoning in New York State.
As many as 30,000 children, 80 to 90 percent of which are children
of color, are estimated to have blood lead levels exceeding federal
and city standards.
Lead particles ingested by the human body cause severe damage to
the brain and central nervous system. Severely elevated blood lead
levels can cause coma, convulsions, kidney damage, and even death. All
levels of lead toxicity cause some brain damage and reduced IQ—and produce
altered behavior such as attention deficit disorders, learning disabilities,
and other cognitive and behavioral disturbances. These deficits in
intellectual performance are considered irreversible. Consequently, this
environmental disease has significant adverse socio-economic impacts.
Infants and young children are particularly at risk of lead poisoning, both
because their normal hand-to-mouth activity causes more frequent ingestion
of such particles, and, more significantly, because their brains and nervous
systems are particularly vulnerable in their early developmental stages.
Environmental factors can cause older children and adults to be at risk
also, particularly in the construction trades.
NYPIRG led the efforts to pass the state's universal childhood lead screening law in 1993 and more recently New York City's Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Act (2004). NYPIRG actively participates in both the Coalition to End Lead Poisoning in New York State and the New York City Coalition to End Lead Poisoning (NYCCELP).
For more information on lead poisoning and the efforts of the state and city coalitions to prevent lead poisoning, please visit the state coalition website at www.nmic.org/celpnys.htm and the city coalition website at www.nmic.org/nyccelp.htm.
www.nypirg.org | www.straphangers.org | www.cmap.nypirg.org
