Service Area

Our region is a mixture of urban, suburban and rural areas, including Chemung, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Wayne, and Yates Counties. Lead was removed from household paint in 1978, but 74% of the housing in our region was built before 1980.* Over 85,000 children ages five years and younger live here,* and they are especially at risk for lead poisoning. Based on current childhood blood lead levels nationwide,^† we estimate that approximately 2% - or over 1700 children in our area - will have lead levels high enough to need monitoring. Since lead is often an invisible threat, the only way to determine if children have blood lead levels that require monitoring is to test them with a blood lead test. Identifying children with lead poisoning early on, before the harmful effects of lead take place, is vital in preventing further exposure and reducing lead in their environment. However, only one quarter to one half of our children undergo blood lead testing at both ages 1 & 2 as required by New York State law.

Lets work together to prevent lead exposure, increase lead screening, and eliminate lead poisoning in our region.

* 2008-2012 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates

^†CDC: Blood Lead Levels in Children Aged 1–5 Years — United States, 1999–2010