Some Brooklyn Children Have Blood Lead Levels Higher Than Kids in Flint

New York City is among the nation’s leaders in reducing children’s exposure to lead poisoning. But in a new analysis of recently released blood tests, Reuters found that children in many city neighborhoods have dangerously high blood lead levels — some as high or higher than those of kids in Flint, Michigan.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's most recent data, 5,400 children tested above the threshold for elevated blood lead readings. The worst cases cluster in Brooklyn, but dangerously high blood lead levels were also found in Washington Heights, Harlem and Queens.

"Small children ages one to three typically are at greatest risk," Reuters reporter Joshua Schneyer told WNYC. "Many children in this age group still have hand-to-mouth behaviors, they're crawling around, they're gnawing at things. And this can be risky if they live or spend time in older housing."

The highest rate was found in South Williamsburg, in the tight-knit, ultra-orthodox Jewish Satmar community. Several factors contribute: Old housing, built long before the city's 1960 lead paint ban, now has peeling paint. Poverty rates are high. And many residents speak Yiddish as a first language, which can make it more difficult for city health workers to do outreach. 

The Reuters investigation found that housing inspections, which were supposed to get a handle on lead paint exposure in city housing, haven’t necessarily been effective. NYC Local Law 1 passed 10 years ago to protect tenants, but two key provisions of it have never been enforced. For instance, the law requires landlords to do annual spot inspections for lead hazards in all housing units with small children. But the Housing Department has never issued a single violation or fine for noncompliance.

Schneyer spoke with WNYC's Richard Hake about this recent report, which includes a detailed map of affected areas.