​Central New York is home to various features to be proud of – rolling hills and sparkling waters, timeless history, and a blossoming arts scene. However, it is also the epicenter of the country’s childhood lead poisoning epidemic. The truth of the matter is that lead poisoning is uncomfortably close to home – so close it resides within the very walls that surround us.

Lead poisoning predominately affects children but can affect adults as well. The most damaging symptom in children is the irreversible effect lead has on a child’s neurological development, which can range from hyperactivity to brain damage. According to the Onondaga County Health Department, 10.5 percent of Syracuse children tested in 2021 were shown to have levels over 5 mcg/dl.

​Lead poisoning rates look even higher when you zoom in to analyze census tracts that also report high levels of poverty and poor housing conditions.  Within tract 23, which is located just north of Interstate 690 between Pearl and Lodi streets, 18.5 percent of children tested were shown to have elevated lead levels in 2020. Large refugee communities live in this neighborhood, which boasts a 24 percent foreign-born population.

​Census tract 54 is located in the Brighton neighborhood of Syracuse’s Southside and includes the immediate area around the Beauchamp Library. Here, a striking 36 percent of residents live below the poverty line. In this neighborhood, more than 32 percent of children tested had elevated lead levels.

The Black community of Syracuse is disproportionately impacted by lead poisoning, making this not only a health crisis but also a social, economic, and environmental injustice. Across the country, Black and Latino neighborhoods have been found to exhibit extraordinarily high rates of lead toxicity compared to White neighborhoods and our region is no exception. In 2020, more than 10% of Black children in Onondaga County were found to have elevated lead levels compared to 1.8% of White children.

Despite the current crisis surrounding residential lead poisoning, there are various organizations working to remedy the causes. Lead Free Kids New York is on the front lines in this endeavor, by lobbying for support that will assist families affected by lead, and to end the poisoning of children entirely.

“We work statewide to identify and advocate for state level policy solutions to childhood lead exposure in housing and other settings within the community,” Lead Free Kids New York said. “Our goal is to create a tipping point, prioritizing disproportionately impacted communities of low-income and color, where the public and private sectors fully integrate lead exposure prevention into all facets of climate change, housing, health, labor and environmental policy.”

Lead Free Kids New York has made great strides in regards to its campaign work, supporting families and providing communication work to increase awareness. In addition to its advocacy in communities, the organization has created waves within the legislative system by lobbying for change. The Central New York Community Foundation partnered with other foundations to support Lead Free Kids New York with a $25,000 grant that assisted with grassroots lobbying expenditures.

Today, Lead Free Kids New York plans to increase its presence in the local and political spheres, aiming to address childhood lead poisoning where change is possible. The Central New York Community Foundation commends the organization for its work, and is proud to support its vision.

The Central New York Community Foundation’s LeadSafeCNY initiative received a second grant from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation to put toward the cost of replacing exterior doors and windows in rental units resided in by low-income individuals. The $150,000 grant will allow the initiative to expand its reach city-wide.

The renovations are paid for by nonprofit housing and community development organization Home HeadQuarters at no cost to property owners through a deferred loan. Property owners are required to retain ownership for a two-year compliance period, enforced through a lien placed on the property.

The Mother Cabrini Health Foundation initially funded this effort in 2021 with a $300,000 grant that resulted in the replacement of 299 windows and 48 doors in 43 affordable rental units. Home HeadQuarters estimates that an additional 78 affordable rental units will have significant lead hazards removed with the new funding.

The EPA reports that chipping lead paint is the leading source of lead poisoning in the United States. Due to friction points from frequent opening and closing, doors and windows are the primary sources of paint chips and dust particles that contain lead.

“Home HeadQuarters is pleased to again work with both the CNY Community Foundation and the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation to address some of our community’s most significant lead hazards,” said Home HeadQuarters CEO Kerry Quaqlia. “We all remain steadfast in our determination to ensure safe and healthy housing for our most vulnerable families and this funding and focus will play a large role in reaching those goals.”

The Mother Cabrini Health Foundation, which awards grants to meet the unmet healthcare needs of individuals, families and communities throughout New York State, chose to support LeadSafeCNY for its potential to significantly improve the health and safety of children in Syracuse.

“This program promises to prevent lifelong negative health ramifications of early lead exposure,” said Msgr. Gregory Mustaciuolo, CEO of the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation. “We are pleased to help address such a vital need in the Syracuse community.”

The Community Foundation established LeadSafeCNY in 2018, committing to invest $2 million to fund a variety of approaches to address the region’s high childhood lead poisoning rates. According to the Onondaga County Health Department, 9 percent of Syracuse children tested in 2020 were shown to have elevated blood lead levels.

Prior to the geographical expansion the new grant will allow for, the Community Foundation’s efforts have been primarily focused on Syracuse census tracts that were found in 2018 to have the highest blood lead levels in children. Among them is Census Tract 54, where a striking 43 percent of residents live below the poverty line. According to the Onondaga County Health Department, nearly 27 percent of that neighborhood’s children were found to have elevated lead levels in 2018. Surrounding communities show similar data with rates ranging from 20 to 22 percent.

LeadSafeCNY grants distributed in the community to date total nearly $1.2 million. Outcomes so far have included the replacement of 736 windows and 101 doors and the development of 112 new, safe and affordable rental units. In addition, 135 individuals have been trained on the appropriate removal of lead paint and thousands of individual contacts have been made to educate residents on the dangers of lead paint exposure. The Community Foundation also committed an additional $500,000 to form a loan loss reserve that will help Home HeadQuarters develop new lead-free homes in Syracuse neighborhoods.

In an   Action Statement  published on its website, the Community Foundation states that it is taking action because “lead poisoning is entirely preventable,” yet it currently hinders children’s ability to enter the classroom ready to learn.

Elevated blood lead levels in young children have been found to cause reduced brain function, impacting the skills needed for academic success, physical activity and social interaction. This can lead to a higher likelihood of ADHD diagnosis, absenteeism, criminal behavior, violence and suicide.

Lead is a toxin that affects the brain, nervous system and multiple organs in the human body. Children under the age of six and pregnant women living in homes that have chipping, flaking and peeling paint are most susceptible. A common source of ingestion is the inhalation of dust particles in the air from the friction of painted surfaces when windows, doors and cabinets are opened and closed.

Syracuse’s aging housing stock is much to blame for the high rates of elevated lead levels in resident children. More than 90 percent of the city’s occupied units were built before lead paint was federally banned from use in 1978.
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Those interested in learning more about LeadSafeCNY or viewing local lead data can visit  leadsafecny.org. Property owners interested in applying for the Windows & Doors program at Home HeadQuarters can visit www.homehq.org.

June 18, 2021 - The Central New York Community Foundation distributed $20,000 in grants through its LeadSafeCNY initiative to support efforts to end childhood lead poisoning in Syracuse. 

Hopeprint received $10,000 to remodel vacant Syracuse Landbank properties to create lead-safe, affordable homes for local residents of the Northside of Syracuse.  The project will improve properties while  offering community members an opportunity at homeownership. 

WCNY received $10,000 to continue its public awareness campaign  on the dangers of lead poisoning.  The PSAs will encourage parents to get their children tested for lead poisoning and explain how to find resources to remove lead paint from their homes.

The Community Foundation established LeadSafeCNY in 2018, committing to invest $2 million to fund a variety of approaches to address the region’s high childhood lead poisoning rates. According to the Onondaga County Health Department, more than 10 percent of Syracuse children tested in 2019 were shown to have elevated blood lead levels. That rate is improved by nearly one percent from 2017.

LeadSafeCNY grants distributed in the community to date total nearly $1.2 million. Outcomes so far have included the replacement of 736 windows and 79 doors and the construction or renovation of 112 safe and affordable rental units. In addition, 135 individuals have ben trained on the appropriate removal of lead paint and thousands of individual contacts have been made to educate residents on the dangers of lead paint exposure. The Community Foundation also committed an additional $500,000 last year to form a loan loss reserve that will help Home HeadQuarters develop new lead-free homes in Syracuse neighborhoods.

About Central New York Community Foundation
The Central New York Community Foundation is a public charity established in 1927 that receives contributions from donors, manages them to grow over time and then distributes funding to local charities to help them thrive. It is the largest charitable foundation in Central New York with assets of more than $366 million and has invested more than $230 million in community improvement projects since its inception. As a grantmaker, civic leader, convener and sponsor of strategic initiatives, the Community Foundation strives to strengthen local nonprofits, encourage better understanding of the region and address the most critical issues of our time.  For more information, visit http://www.cnycf.org. 

March 9, 2021 – The Central New York Community Foundation’s LeadSafeCNY initiative has received a $300,000 grant from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation to replace exterior doors and windows in rental units resided in by low-income individuals.

The EPA reports that chipping lead paint is the leading source of lead poisoning in the United States. Due to friction points from frequent opening and closing, doors and windows are the primary sources of paint chips and dust particles that contain lead.

The renovations will be paid for by nonprofit housing and community development organization Home HeadQuarters at no cost to property owners through a deferred loan. Property owners will be required to retain ownership for a two-year compliance period, enforced through a lien placed on the property. Home HeadQuarters estimates that nearly 60 affordable rental units will have significant lead hazards removed through this effort.

“Home HeadQuarters is pleased to again work with both the CNY Community Foundation and the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation to address some of our community’s most significant lead hazards,” said Home HeadQuarters CEO Kerry Quaqlia. “We all remain steadfast in our determination to ensure safe and healthy housing for our most vulnerable families and this funding and focus will play a large role in reaching those goals.”

The Mother Cabrini Health Foundation, which awards grants to meet the unmet healthcare needs of individuals, families and communities throughout New York State, chose to support LeadSafeCNY for its potential to significantly improve the health and safety of children in Syracuse.

“This program promises to prevent lifelong negative health ramifications of early lead exposure,” said Msgr. Gregory Mustaciuolo, CEO of the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation. “We are pleased to help address such a vital need in the Syracuse community.”

The Community Foundation established LeadSafeCNY in 2018, committing to invest $2 million to fund a variety of approaches to address the region’s high childhood lead poisoning rates. According to the Onondaga County Health Department, more than 10 percent of Syracuse children tested in 2019 were shown to have elevated blood lead levels. That rate is improved by nearly one percent from 2017.

The Community Foundation’s efforts are primarily focused on Syracuse census tracts that were found in 2018 to have the highest blood lead levels in children. Among them is Census Tract 54, where a striking 43 percent of residents live below the poverty line. According to the Onondaga County Health Department, nearly 27 percent of that neighborhood’s children were found to have elevated lead levels in 2018. Surrounding communities show similar data with rates ranging from 20 to 22 percent.

LeadSafeCNY grants distributed in the community to date total nearly $1 million. Outcomes so far have included the replacement of 600 windows and 79 doors and the development of 60 new, safe and affordable rental units. In addition, 41 trainings on the appropriate removal of lead paint have been conducted and thousands of individual contacts have been made to educate residents on the dangers of lead paint exposure. The Community Foundation also committed an additional $500,000 last year to form a loan loss reserve that will help Home HeadQuarters develop new lead-free homes in Syracuse neighborhoods.

In an Action Statement published on its website, the Community Foundation states that it is taking action because “lead poisoning is entirely preventable,” yet it currently hinders children’s ability to enter the classroom ready to learn.

Elevated blood lead levels in young children have been found to cause reduced brain function, impacting the skills needed for academic success, physical activity and social interaction. This can lead to a higher likelihood of ADHD diagnosis, absenteeism, criminal behavior, violence and suicide.

Lead is a toxin that affects the brain, nervous system and multiple organs in the human body. Children under the age of six and pregnant women living in homes that have chipping, flaking and peeling paint are most susceptible. A common source of ingestion is the inhalation of dust particles in the air from the friction of painted surfaces when windows, doors and cabinets are opened and closed.

Syracuse’s aging housing stock is much to blame for the high rates of elevated lead levels in resident children. More than 90 percent of the city’s occupied units were built before lead paint was federally banned from use in 1978.

Those interested in learning more about LeadSafeCNY or viewing local lead data can visit leadsafecny.org. Property owners interested in applying for the Windows & Doors program at Home HeadQuarters can visit www.homehq.org.

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About Central New York Community Foundation
The Central New York Community Foundation is a public charity established in 1927 that collects contributions from donors, manages them to grow over time and then distributes funding to local charities to help them thrive. It is the largest charitable foundation in Central New York with assets of nearly $260 million and has invested more than $200 million in community improvement projects since its inception. As a grantmaker, civic leader, convener and sponsor of strategic initiatives, the Community Foundation strives to strengthen local nonprofits, encourage better understanding of the region and address the most critical issues of our time. For more information, visit https://www.cnycf.org/

About Mother Cabrini Health Foundation
The Mother Cabrini Health Foundation is a private, nonprofit organization with the mission to improve the health and well-being of vulnerable New Yorkers, bolster the health outcomes of targeted communities, eliminate barriers to care, and bridge gaps in health services. The Foundation – which is named in memory of a tireless advocate for immigrants, children, and the poor – provides flexible support for new and innovative approaches that enhance health and wellness across New York State. For more information, visit https://www.cabrinihealth.org/
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About Home HeadQuarters
Home HeadQuarters is a non-profit neighborhood and housing development organization and certified Community Development Financial Institution that, since 1996, has helped almost 4,000 families become first-time homebuyers; provided nearly 10,000 homeowners with $105 million in home improvement loans and grants, and developed more than 800 formerly vacant and abandoned properties. This past year, Home HeadQuarters was named the number one home improvement lender in the NeighborWorks America network of more than 244 member organizations across the United States and for the past decade, has ranked as the leading lender to families of color living in Syracuse, out lending all other financial institutions combined. The organization is a chartered member of NeighborWorks America, the country’s first designated Community Based Development Organization and is recognized nationally for its innovative loan products for homebuyers, homeowners, local minority contractors and “mom and pop” landlords who are unable to borrow from traditional lenders. Learn more at https://www.homehq.org/. 

 Finding safe, lead-free housing in Syracuse was an issue before COVID-19 caused a global upheaval. But now, during a pandemic that has led to financial strain across our community, the risk of childhood lead poisoning is amplified.
 
New York State and the nation are currently in an eviction moratorium, which means that tenants who have experienced hardship due to the pandemic cannot be evicted for nonpayment of rent. However, that may also mean that landlords who are not being paid rent are less apt to want to spend money on maintaining their properties. In addition, fears of contracting the virus are delaying maintenance schedules and inspection visits.
 
“COVID-19 is complicating an already challenging story in our community,” said Debra Lewis, Lead Poisoning Prevention Program coordinator for the Onondaga County Health Department. “With maintenance being left undone, paint continues to deteriorate, which means that children may be living in hazardous lead conditions for a longer period of time.”
 
Debra and her team find children with lead poisoning in a few different ways. The main indicator of lead poisoning is a blood test. If a child shows high levels of lead in their blood, the report is sent to the Health Department to investigate. They also may receive referrals from Section 8 housing. Any unit funded by Section 8 is referred to the Health Department and will be inspected if children under age six will be living in the home. Future or current renters may also call in to request an inspection.
 
The process is generally called a lead inspection, but Lewis prefers the term “exposure investigation.” During the investigation, peeling and chipping painted surfaces are tested for lead in the child’s home. The exposure investigation also may require the inspector to go to any other property where the child spends time, like a grandmother’s house or childcare facility. The majority of childhood lead poisoning comes from paint and household dust, but lead can also be found in food, soil, spices, toys from discount chains and more. After an inspection, the property owner is expected to make the necessary repairs to reduce the amount of lead in the home.
 
The Onondaga County team perform over 300 investigations per year, but they expect that number to be higher this year due to the CDC’s revision of “acceptable” blood lead level limits from ten to five micrograms per deciliter. The change, made in September 2019, drives the public health response leading to an exposure investigation and may result in nearly double the amount of inspections required this year.
 
Tenants who are being exposed to high levels of lead often don’t have the funding to move, despite their desire to do so. Lewis noted, “If you can find affordable housing in our community, given the amount of money people have to spend on housing, and the age of local housing stock, the condition of the property is likely to both contain lead based paint and to be fraught with additional health and safety problems.”
 
Recently, the Health Department received initiative LeadSafeCNY grant from the Community Foundation to help families who need to move after a lead exposure investigation has been completed, but that may lack the funding to do so. The Community Foundation’s endorsement follows a 4-year, $2 million commitment announced by the organization in late 2018 to help end childhood lead poisoning in the city. Since then, more than $780,000 has been awarded to nonprofit organizations. In an   Action Statement  published on its website, the Community Foundation states that it is taking action now because “lead poisoning is entirely preventable,” yet it currently hinders children’s ability to enter the classroom ready to learn.
 
As a licensed social worker, Lewis is always looking at the intersection between person and environment. After ten years in her position at OCHD, and a lot of behind the scenes work with other organizations, she is grateful to see the recent lead ordinance that the Community foundation advocated for come to fruition in Syracuse. Lewis believes, “Every child deserves to live in a safe and healthy home; and every parent deserves to have the confidence that a home they have chosen will be maintained in a safe and healthy manner by the person who owns it.” She also stated that landlords should consider their rented housing as a business by following all local, state, and federal housing regulations.  Owners can be held accountable by any regulatory entity for not addressing housing conditions impacting the health and safety of their renters. Additionally, on September 14, 2020, Syracuse passed an additional renter protection: Now, landlords who have failed to register their one-and-two-family rental homes will be barred from evicting tenants.
 
Lewis assures her clients that the Health Department is still working hard to investigate all of their properties amid the pandemic. She is always happy to answer questions in the meantime.  You can contact her at the Onondaga County Health Department’s office.
 
For renters with lead poisoning concerns, call 2-1-1 or visit the CNY211 website to find the correct avenue for finding help.

The significant health risks associated with lead poisoning make awareness and education programs essential to every Syracuse resident, including those who don’t speak English. WCNY, the region’s local public broadcasting network, has created a way to communicate the complexities of this problem to all families, no matter the language they speak.

“Lead poisoning can cause permanent damages on our children and knowledge of those dangers gives people the power to put a stop to it,” said Debbie Stack, vice president of education and community engagement at WCNY. “We felt that expanding the languages of our awareness and education campaigns would be necessary to provide ALL families with those tools.”

According to the Onondaga County Health Department, the effects of elevated blood lead levels span from affecting children’s comprehensive learning skills to damaging the brain and nervous system. The worst part is that  many families are unaware of these impacts.

With the help of a $15,000 grant from the Community Foundation, WCNY launched a series of multilingual public service announcements to ensure all families receive the same level of information. The new series will run over the course of a 3-year period and will highlight the concerns about lead paint being in people’s homes, bring awareness to the health risks of lead, feature success stories of individuals who have removed lead from their home, and inform the community about the 211 hotline they can contact for more information.

During the pandemic, the risk of lead exposure increased as many families were confined to their homes where lead is present.

“The drive to educate and inform families, especially during a pandemic, has been a challenge,” said Stack. “Some families do not have access to the major communication channels that are typically used and other forms of contact where they were receiving information have been limited because of COVID-19.”

National studies have shown that WCNY, a PBS station, is the highest rated channel to enter the homes of hard-to-reach households. The organization will use the series to spread awareness of the Community Foundation’s LeadSafeCNY initiative and will specifically focus on encouraging families to get their children tested for lead poisoning, homes tested for lead and to utilize the 211 hotline or website for more information.

Federal funding provided through the Department of Housing and Urban  Development is still available for lead abatement  through the City of Syracuse's Lead Program. This grant allows eligible property owners and landlords to apply for funding and assistance with fixing lead-based paint hazards. 
​View the website for more information.
View the online application. 

On February 5, the Central New York Community Foundation hosted the LeadSafeCNY Community Forum at the Northside Learning Center. The audience of 80 community members, public officials and local residents heard from a panel featuring Dr. Sandy Lane, Dr. Travis Hobart, Dr. Frank Ridzi, and Peter Dunn.

Together the panelists highlighted the ways in which lead poisoning can easily go undetected, undermining all community efforts to educate our children and mentor them into successful careers. Dr. Lane explained that the body absorbs lead similarly to how it absorbs calcium and iron, which can stay in the body for long periods of time. Dr. Hobart clarified that when consumed, lead enters your bloodstream and eventually your bone marrow. This can result in behavioral, emotional, and other neurological effects that can have an impact on children’s educational development and decision making.

As pointed out by Frank Ridzi, New York State rated among the highest in number of childhood elevated blood lead levels in 2016. He explained that the passage of a lead ordinance, currently being proposed by the Syracuse Common Council, could serve as the ‘missing link’ in a network of solutions put forth over the past few years to decrease childhood lead poisoning in Syracuse.

The message was clear that knowledge is power and that as a community we must work together to end childhood lead poisoning by keeping residents informed. Attendees were encouraged to learn more about the proposed lead ordinance and voice their opinions to legislators during the open comment period, set to run through March 5. Learn more about the ordinance here.
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View the PowerPoint Presentation from the February 5 Forum here.

January 28, 2020 - The Central New York Community Foundation announced today that it endorses proposed legislation put forth by the Syracuse Common Council to make the presence of lead a housing code violation during interior housing inspections. This is the first local policy endorsement of its kind from the region’s largest charitable foundation.

"The Community Foundation has been an amazing partner, collaborating with both the city and county to address the lead crisis,” said Joe Driscoll, District 5 Syracuse Common Councilor. “Its advocacy around this legislation is crucial in raising awareness and support around this issue."

The proposed legislation, based on the release of a third-party Draft Generic Environmental Impact Study, is designed to build upon the July 2018 amendment to city regulation that instituted internal inspections on one- and two-unit rental properties. Up until this point, landlords could only be cited for visible chipping or peeling paint. The ordinance would require mandatory wipes to check for lead contaminated dust.

A policy paper recently released by the Community Foundation explains that the proposed ordinance is the ‘missing link’ in a network of solutions put forth over the past few years to decrease childhood lead poisoning in Syracuse. In 2018, more than 10 percent of Syracuse children tested were shown to have elevated lead levels, according to the Onondaga County Health Department.

“Our community is not standing still, but rather making progressive, systematic change in addressing lead poisoning in our children,” said Peter Dunn, Community Foundation president & CEO. “The passage of this lead ordinance would close the loop on a new infrastructure of vigilance that will identify the problem of lead exposure instead of waiting to address the negative outcomes.”

A one-month public commenting period for the proposed ordinance opens on February 5. Dunn says the Community Foundation’s endorsement is intended to spur discussion and encourage residents to make their voices heard by lawmakers before the Council’s vote in April.

“As a community, lead poisoning is affecting our children first and foremost,” said Dunn. “We hope that residents living inside and outside of the city provide input in support of this ordinance. Our children’s future depends on it.”

Community members will be invited to give their input online or via email. In addition, an in-person public forum is scheduled for 5:30 pm on February 12 in Common Council Chambers at City Hall.

“Thanks to a strong coalition of public and private partners, led by Fifth District Councilor Joe Driscoll, and buoyed by the significant financial support and partnership of the CNY Community Foundation, the City of Syracuse is poised to adopt a new lead ordinance that will protect our most at-risk children,” said Mayor Ben Walsh. “Together, we will wipe out the threat of lead to our children once and for all.”

The Community Foundation’s endorsement follows a 4-year, $2 million commitment announced by the organization in late 2018 to help end childhood lead poisoning in the city. Since then, more than $780,000 has been awarded to nonprofit organizations through its LeadSafeCNY initiative. In an Action Statement published on its website, the Community Foundation states that it is taking action now because “lead poisoning is entirely preventable,” yet it currently hinders children’s ability to enter the classroom ready to learn.

View the Community Foundation’s policy paper: “A Steady March Forward: The Critical Next Step to Address Lead Poisoning in Syracuse”

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The Central New York Community Foundation is a public charity established in 1927 that collects contributions from donors, manages them to grow over time and then distributes funding to local charities to help them thrive. It is the largest charitable foundation in Central New York with assets of more than $280 million and has invested more than $200 million in community improvement projects since its inception. As a grantmaker, civic leader, convener and sponsor of strategic initiatives, the Community Foundation strives to strengthen local nonprofits, encourage better understanding of the region and address the most critical issues of our time.

The topic of lead poisoning has recently burst back into the scene in Central New York due to high-profile publicity and community action; however, it has been an ongoing issue in this region, and across New York State, for decades. Recently, we have seen a steady march forward toward progress, both in terms of increased resources devoted to the issue and new collaboration among local policy makers, residents and organizations. Syracuse has taken bold steps, but more are needed.

The following policy paper outlines the Central New York Community Foundation’s review of what has been accomplished so far and what still needs to be done to close a critical gap in legislation. Based on our analysis, we conclude that the most important next step is to advocate for the passage of a new lead ordinance, soon to be put forth by the City of Syracuse, which would make the presence of lead a housing code violation.
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View the paper: