During the past fifteen years lead poisoning declined in the United States by about 77%, primarily as a result of elimination of lead from gasoline and in paint. However, for minority groups and children below poverty level, lead poisoning remains a serious health threat. Most lead exposure occurs in children living in deteriorating homes built prior to 1950's when lead paint was widely used.
   
    Cleveland has the second largest lead exposed population; .0069 children per capita have elevated blood levels > 10mcg/dL. New York City has about the twelfth largest lead exposed population; .0012 children per capaita have elevated blood levels > 10mcg/dL. The difference in the levels of lead presence in blood of the population are primarily due to the number and type of lead emitting industries, number of deteriorating housing, and poverty levels.
      
    Dilapidated housing built prior to 1950's is the primary culprit of lead poisoning for both the populations of New York City and Cleveland.  53% of housing in Cleveland was built prior to 1950. 17.9% of the population is below poverty level and the unemployment rate is high. A significant percentage of lead pollution in Cleveland can be traced to various industrial sources. Primary and secondary smelting sources, lead battery recycling, copper smelting and others.  Industrial sources in Ohio emitt 2,845,402 lb of lead particles yearly.

•  Cuyahoga county (i.e. Cleveland) has 3,461 children with EBL (elevated blood levels) > 10mcg/dL (.69%).  53% of housing units were built prior to 1950.

Laws and Regulations for Cleveland:
Lead Poisoning Prevention Program ensures that public receives necessary information to help prevent lead poisoning. The program also trains contractors to clean up lead safely and efficiently. It likewise loans HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) vacuums to the general public. The Ambient Air Act stadards for indoor and outdoor air apply to Cleveland as well as other cities and states. Other programs screen children from 1-5  years old for lead poisoning and provide medical follow up for chldren with EBL.

    46% of housing in New York City was built prior to 1950. 24.3% of population is below poverty level. Lead poisoning is widespread in areas where poverty stricken population resides because many live in dilapidated housing and lead threats are not always recognized quickly enough. Industries in New York City emitt 2360 lb of lead particles yearly.

• Brooklyn has 3,440 children with EBL this is the most lead poisoning cases in NYC. 110,000(13%) housing units were built prior to 1950. 69,000 (40%) children are below poverty level. It is a hot spot of industrial lead emission. 755lb of lead particles are emitted yearly into the air
• Queens has 1,676 children with EBL. 43,000 (16%) housing units were built prior to 1950.  22,000 (19%) children are below poverty level.
• Bronx has 1,322 children with EBL. 53,000 (12%) housing units were built prior to 1950. 49,000 (50%) children are below poverty level.
• Manhattan has 1,001 children with EBL. 69,000 (10%) housing units were built prior to 1950. 29,000 (39%) children are below poverty level.
• Staten Island has 218 children with EBL. This small number of cases is probably due to Staten Island having a small number of (3%) of housing units built prior to 1950( and small population). 4,200 (15%) children are below poverty level.
  3,400

It is difficult to draw conclusions regarding the main sources of lead poisoning because of the following two factors:

1. Some lead hazard is present in newly built houses. The main concern in newly built housing units is the plumbing system. It takes about five years for lead from the pipes to be carried off with the water. During those five years the inhabitants of the house are exposed to lead. Lead found in water generally comes from within the house and not the reservoirs and so the problem should be recified from within the house. 
2. Sources that deposit lead into soil may be impossible to target as they may have existed only in the past. Soil near major highways may contain lead due to past uses of leaded gasoline.

    Because of these two facts lead exposure levels may seem surprisingly high in certain neighborhoods.


Elevated Lead Blood Levels for Cleveland and New York City

For more data refer to:

General Data     NYC Statistics    Cleveland Statistics
 

For more information on the current lead poisoning laws in NYC, refer to Regulations.