FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 17, 2025

Contact: Beth Cefalu, Director of Strategic Communications (845) 638-5645

 

Protect Your Family This National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, Oct. 19-25

RCDOH Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program Offers Free Home Assessments, Help Securing Lead Remediation Funding, & More 

NEW CITY, NY, - For National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, October 19^th through October 25th, the Rockland County Department of Health’s Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (CLPPP) is raising awareness about the dangers of lead exposure. Lead is a harmful toxin to people of all ages, and lead poisoning remains a concern in Rockland. Young children are particularly vulnerable; even low levels of exposure can potentially cause lifelong health problems. Children ages 6 and younger are rapidly developing and more prone to absorbing lead when exposure occurs.  

According to data collected from 2021 to 2025 regarding elevated blood lead level investigations in Rockland, children primarily get lead poisoning by breathing in or swallowing dust from old lead paint on their hands, floors, and windowsills. Lead can also be found in other sources, such as toys, spices, cosmetics, as well as pots, pans, and dishes from other countries. Lead can also be passed from a pregnant person to a baby during pregnancy.

The CLPPP team can help protect you and your family from childhood lead poisoning by providing:

• Education about the dangers of lead poisoning and how to reduce your child’s exposure to lead.
• A free home assessment with an X-ray fluorescence lead analyzer and family interview to find sources of lead.
• Help with completing the ASQ-3 developmental screening tool, which looks for the effects of lead poisoning in your child.
• Referrals as needed.
• Free lead poisoning prevention products.
• Free lead prevention superhero-themed coloring books for childcare & preschool kids.

Anyone interested in lead prevention color books or any other lead prevention resources, can contact the CLPPP team at leadfreekids@co.rockland.ny.us.

For Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, the County will have a lead risk assessor available to answer questions and test items at the Finkelstein Memorial Library, 24 Chestnut Street, Spring Valley, on October 23rd from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Small items residents can bring for testing include kitchenware, place settings, ceramic containers, and toys. Lead educational materials will also be available for the public.

“New York State mandates that children be tested for lead at ages 1 and 2. Additionally, all children up to 6 years of age are evaluated for lead exposure during every well-child visit. These regulations are part of New York's Public Health Law and Department of Health Guidelines, designed to detect and prevent childhood lead poisoning at an early stage," said Dr. Mary Leahy, Rockland County Commissioner of Health.

If a child’s doctor finds an elevated (high) blood lead level (equal to or over 5 micrograms lead per deciliter of blood), the Rockland County Department of Health (RCDOH) is notified and follows up with families to monitor the child. RCDOH encourages families to speak with their doctor about getting their child tested for lead. CLPPP aims to ensure that all children who are poisoned by lead receive the services necessary to stay healthy, enabling them to reach their maximum potential, and work towards a lead-free environment for everyone. 

This November, the New York State Lead Rental Registry Law will take effect for properties in the 10977 zip code, with two or more rental units built before 1980. Owners must register their property, schedule a lead hazard inspection, and certify the property is free of lead. Contact RCDOH for a free home assessment, dust wipe sampling, renovation training, and funding assistance for property owners.

For more information or to schedule a lead hazard inspection, contact the RCDOH Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program at (845) 364-3305.

For additional information, visit the New York State Department of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 

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