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New York City Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. testified today before the City Council Housing and Buildings committee in support of Intro 101-A, the New York City Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Act of 2003.

"Childhood lead poisoning is a wholly preventable and devastating disease. Although the permanent neurological damage that can result from lead poisoning can be reduced with prompt medical treatment and special education, damage to the long-term educational and vocational prospects of lead-poisoned children cannot be undone."

"Since it is now more than four decades since the City's lead paint ban was put into place, I am greatly concerned by New York City's Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) figures revealing that in 2000, 7,657 children ages 6 months to less than 6 years had elevated levels of lead in their blood, and 817 children were newly identified as being lead poisoned."

"Additionally, lead paint poisoning imposes a heavy burden on New York City taxpayers because of the monetary damages it has to pay as the result of court judgements involving lead poisoned youngsters. In Fiscal Year 2002, the City entered into 15 settlements and paid out $4,535,000. In Fiscal Year 2003, to date, the City has entered into 34 settlements and has paid out $4,282,115."

"Intro 101-A, sponsored by Councilman Bill Perkins and 35 other Council members, would help the City to craft and implement a better lead paint poisoning prevention program than is achievable under Local Law 38. If enacted, it would consolidate the administration and enforcement of the City's lead poisoning prevention program, which is now unnecessarily divided between HPD and DOHMH. It would establish clear standards and benchmarks that would allow the City to ascertain how well it is achieving its public health goals and DOHMH would have the primary responsibility for promulgating rules and developing procedures as well as for monitoring the specific programs required by state law."

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