Syracuse city leaders team up to protect families from lead poisoning
SYRACUSE, NY — A community partnership and investment effort has been coming together recently to improve health and safety standards for all Syracuse residents.
Aging homes and buildings have caused some families to now find themselves living in substandard housing conditions.
An elevated blood lead level of over 5 mcg/dl in children is considered high lead exposure, according to Lead Safe NY, but any level of lead present is considered dangerous.
According to the Onondaga County Health Department, more than 10 percent of Syracuse children tested in 2018 were shown to have elevated levels.
Several areas of Syracuse are affected by unsafe lead levels in homes -- higher concentrations have been noted in the Southside's Brighton area and the Butternut area on the Northside.
The Central New York Community is providing grants on top of government funding to test homes for lead levels and then make repairs.
If you are a Syracuse city resident concerned about lead levels in your home -- call 211 to report it and to receive more resources.
To watch a segment from a two-part live interview on CBS5 This Morning with Peter Dunn, of CNYCF, and Syracuse Common Councilor Joe Driscoll, click the video player above.
For more information about CNYCF, click here.
To read more about Lead Safe NY's findings, click here.
