A new project has just been launched to address lead poisoning issues in Chemung County.  The funding for this project comes from the proceeds of a special condition of a conditional discharge agreed to by the New York State Attorney General's Office arising from the prosecution of McWane, Inc., Kennedy Valve.

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There are three main objectives of this project: 

 - To increase the number of children that are tested for lead poisoning,
 - To test more homes for the presence of conditions conducive to lead poisoning, and
 - To provide financial assistance to property owners to eliminate conditions conducive to lead poisoning. 

Each of these objectives are discussed below in greater detail.

 

	Children can be exposed to the hazards of lead from the time they are born.  Because of this, children are required to be screened for lead poisoning when they are one-year old and again when they are two-years old.  If caught early, lead poisoning can be prevented from becoming a health problem for your child.
The only way to know if you child has lead poisoning is to get a test.  This program has made arrangements with the physicians listed below to provide free blood lead testing for children.  To make arrangements to have your child tested for lead, contact one of the medical offices listed below.
Southern Tier Pediatrics, 302 Hoffman Street, Elmira, NY  14905  Phone: 734-2264 Chemung County Health Department, 103 Washington Street Elmira, NY  14902 Phone: 737-2028	Orchard Family Healthcare, 2977 Westinghouse Road, Horseheads, NY  14845   Phone: 739-8778 Chemung County WIC 103 Washington Street Elmira, NY  14902 Phone: 737-2039

2.  TESTING HOMES FOR LEAD

 

One of the largest sources of lead in a home is in old paint.  The only way to know for sure whether the paint in your home contains lead is to have it tested.  The Environmental Health Services section of the Health Department will provide FREE testing of homes for lead.  The only condition attached to the testing is that the property owner agrees to make the property lead-safe based on the recommendations of the EPA-certified Lead Risk Assessor that conducts the evaluation.
	Any surface in the home that could be painted could be a source of lead.  The most common surfaces includes doors, doorways, windows, floors, porches, and outdoor siding.  All those surfaces will be tested using an XRF (X-Ray Fluorescence) instrument to provide on-the-spot results as to whether lead is present on any of the surfaces.
To find our more information about having your home tested for lead, you can contact the Chemung County Health Department Environmental Health Services Section at 737-2019.  Simply ask for a Lead Risk Assessor. To download a copy of the application needed to request a test of your home for lead, click HERE. NO TESTING CAN BE SCHEDULED UNTIL AN APPLICATION HAS BEEN COMPLETED & SIGNED BY THE PROPERTY OWNER.	XRF Lead Testing Instrument

3.  FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR LEAD ABATEMENT

A major financial component of this program is the availability of funds to assist property owners in making their homes lead-safe.  Lead hazard reduction in your home could include (but not be limited to) the replacement of old windows and doors, fresh paint (both inside and outside), new flooring, and vinyl or aluminum siding.  Owner-occupants may be entitled to grants as well as no- or low-interest loans.  Landlords may be eligible for no- or low-interest loans.  For more information on this component of the "Get The Lead Out" program, simply click HERE to go to the City of Elmira's website (scroll down their page until you see the "Get The Lead Out" logo), or call the City of Elmira's Community Development Office at 737-5695.  Remember, you do not have to be a resident of the City for funding.... you may be eligible if you live anywhere in Chemung County.  For a copy of the City's brochure explaining their program, click HERE.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION AS WELL AS ADDITIONAL WEBSITES ON LEAD POISONING IN GENERAL, CLICK HERE TO GO TO OUR "LEAD POISONING PREVENTION" PAGE .