ALBANY, N.Y. (NEXSTAR) — As the New York State Department of Health (DOH) prepares to implement new measures to address lead poisoning, they're seeking public feedback. The new lead rental registry, designed to protect kids from exposure to lead, will require inspections for and tracking of rentals in buildings built before 1980.
Public comments on the draft regulations close on February 22. On January 8 at 10 a.m., DOH is holding public hearings to talk about the rental registry and the Lead Poisoning Prevention Program. You can weigh in in-person at two locations: Meeting Room 1 at the Empire State Plaza Concourse in Albany or the Erie County Health Department at 503 Kensington Avenue in Buffalo.
The public hearing will be streamed online. You can send in public comments ahead of the hearings via email to lppp@health.ny.gov until 5 p.m. on January 6. If you miss it, you can still submit comments before February 23 via email, phone at (518) 473-7488, or mail addressed to DOH, Bureau of Program Counsel, Reg. Affairs Unit, Room 2438, ESP Tower Building, Albany, New York 12237.
Every three years, to get lead safety certified, landlords will have to make sure their properties have no lead paint hazards. Inspections will identify peeling or chipping paint, a major source of poisoning in children under 6, because lead tastes sweet. Any hazards have to be cleaned up and repaired promptly.
Starting November 2025, the program targets 25 communities across the state. Check out the map of "communities of concern," where New Yorkers would see increased inspections and education outreach.
These communities include Albany, Buffalo, Binghamton, Elmira, Newburgh, Rochester, Syracuse, Utica, Watertown, and Yonkers. Here, older homes have the highest risk of exposure and local kids are likelier to have high rates of lead poisoning. Together, these areas house 282,000 affected rental units.
Local health departments will have to audit 10% of inspections and report their findings to the state. Officials estimate inspection costs at $250 to $450 per unit, with potential costs for remediation ranging from $500 to $40,000.
Gov. Kathy Hochul’s administration earmarked $20 million in the past two budgets to deal with ongoing lead concerns. Another $16 million in state funding will support local health departments in hiring staff and training contractors. Landlords can also apply for grants to cover lead removal costs.
The lead rental registry built on a successful model used in Rochester. It's part of a broader $120 million initiative to eliminate lead statewide. According to the state's analysis, every dollar spent on preventing lead poisoning saves $25 to $327 in healthcare and education costs.
DOH will offer more training for landlords, contractors, and code enforcement officers after the finalized rules take shape in November. State officials say that contractors and landlords should prepare for the changes by getting EPA-certified in lead-safe renovation, repair, and painting. Federal law requires such certification for any work that disturbs paint in homes built before 1978.
Despite progress in removing lead from water and building materials, old paint remains a dangerous. Even small amounts of lead dust from window sills or floors can cause brain damage and lifelong disabilities in children. If you're concerned about lead exposure, ask your local health department about testing and safety tips.
