As we mark Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, which runs from October 19 to October 25, we urge every New Yorker to take proactive steps to understand the risk and ensure their families are safe from exposure. We hope this primer will help.
We’ve all heard about lead poisoning at some point in our lives. Perhaps it was in your high school science class, or maybe you saw it on the news, or it might’ve come up when you were moving into a new home. Hearing about it is one thing, but actually understanding what it is, and how to prevent it, is crucial. Because here’s the thing: lead exposure is not just a problem of the past, it still exists in too many of our homes, our schools, and our pipes, and it is putting people at risk.
Lead is a toxic metal naturally found in the Earth’s crust and its abundance makes it inexpensive to mine. It is a versatile metal that is malleable and durable, a popular choice in ancient and modern times alike. It also resists corrosion and proves durable over time. Unfortunately, mining, smelting, manufacturing, and recycling are sources of lead contamination in the environment, and eventually in humans. In fact, lead exposure has contributed to more than 1.5 million deaths globally in 2021.
While most lead used in production today goes into making lead-acid batteries for motor vehicles, it’s also found in toys, jewelry, ceramics, cosmetics, paint, and some medicines. Other potential sources include food grown in lead-polluted soil or stored in cookware that contains lead.
Drinking water is another potential pathway to lead exposure. Lead can leach into drinking water through old service lines connecting the water main to the building, or through plumbing systems made with lead pipes, solders, or fittings. This is especially problematic in older buildings and it’s most prevalent in low-income communities, where aging infrastructure often goes uninspected and unrepaired. Several high-profile cases have made it into the national news in recent years, including in Flint, MI, and Newark, NJ, while there has been renewed attention to the issue in Upstate New York, on Long Island, and in New York City.
Lead poisoning happens when lead builds up in the body and travels to the brain, kidneys, liver, and bones. Once it reaches your organs, it can cause serious, long-term damage.
Kids ages 0-6 are most at risk from lead exposure. It can seriously affect a child’s growth, behavior, and ability to learn. The most severe impacts are on the brain and central nervous system, but even low levels of exposure, which may not appear as obvious symptoms, can still cause lasting harm. These less visible effects can include reduced IQ, shortened attention span, and antisocial behavior. Even though symptoms vary, there is no known safe blood lead concentration.
If someone is exposed to lead during pregnancy, their baby can also be affected. Lead stored in an adult’s bones can be released into the bloodstream during pregnancy and passed to the fetus. This increases the risk of miscarriage, low birth weight, premature birth, and damage to the baby’s brain, kidneys, and nervous system. Especially concerning, however, is that most adults with lead poisoning don’t look or feel sick; the only way to know if you’ve been exposed is to get a blood test.
You can protect yourself from lead exposure by making a few changes to your daily routine. Wipe down surfaces frequently with a wet cloth or sponge, especially if you notice any peeling or chipping paint.
Our favorite tip? Eat! Foods rich in calcium, iron, and vitamin C help reduce lead absorption in your body. Always wash fruits and vegetables with cold water to remove any soil or lead dust, and avoid eating or drinking from chipped lead-glazed pottery or old porcelain cookware.
For outside activities, stick to grassy areas and avoid bare soil near roads, junkyards, or abandoned sites. If you do spend time in those spots, make sure to wash your hands, wipe down your shoes, and clean your pets’ paws.
If your home has – or potentially has – a lead service line delivering your water, there are actions you can take to reduce your risk. Hot tap water is more likely to contain lead and other metals, and boiling it won’t remove the lead, so a good rule of thumb is: hot = no, cold = yes. Always use cold water for drinking, cooking, or mixing infant formula. Run the tap (or shower, dishwasher, or laundry) for a few minutes to flush out standing water in the pipes before use. If you can, purchase a water filter that is certified to remove lead, and make sure to follow the directions carefully.
To help determine if you are risk for lead exposure through drinking water, you can order a testing kit (if you’re in NYC, you can do this via 311), but also know that such measurements, while very useful, are of a “moment in time” and do not account for external factors that can increase risk of lead leaching into the water, such as nearby construction that can cause pipes to shake and loosen toxic debris.
So, what’s New York doing about it?
Across the state, children are required to get tested for lead at ages 1 and 2, and in New York City, local laws require inspections and removal of lead-paint in homes.
Starting in November 2025, The New York State Lead Rental Registry Program will require landlords in 25 high-risk communities, including Rochester, Buffalo, and Syracuse, to identify and eliminate lead hazards in pre-1980 rental units. These areas have the highest rates of childhood lead poisoning and the oldest housing stock, where peeling paint and dust are major threats. The program will include training for landlords, contractors, and local officials to make sure these regulations are enforced, and is part of a broader effort by the state to finally eliminate lead exposure, especially in the places where it is most prevalent. The systems meant to protect us are slowly catching up, but until they do, it’s up to all of us to stay informed and take action where we can.
Milla Douer was a 2025 Summer Communications Intern at NYLCV. She is a fourth-year student at Cornell University, double-majoring in Environment & Sustainability and Communication. To learn more about Milla, visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/milladouer/