It would be 9,000 and not 3,000 NYCHA apartments with lead paint coverage, according to new report – Telemundo New York (47)

The number of potential children exposed to lead paint in New York City public housing buildings is three times greater than previously estimated, the federal monitor tasked with overseeing NYCHA revealed Thursday.

An estimated 6,000 more apartments where children under the age of six reside have lead paint coverage, in addition to the 3,000 units that had been previously identified, according to Bart Schwartz, the federal monitor.

The discovery was made public in a short published report on the Schwartz website on Thursday. The statement reads that the Housing Authority reported on the additional apartments earlier this week, after portable X-ray inspections revealed “significantly more apartments where children under the age of six reside who could be exposed to the lead”.

Lead is a neurotoxin that can cause permanent brain damage in children if it is swallowed or inhaled, usually in the form of dust or paint chips. Research shows that even low levels of lead exposure can cause IQ loss, hyperactivity, and other behavior problems. The Centers for Disease Control has determined that no level of lead exposure is safe.

“I am concerned. We are seeing a steady decline, but if there is something we have to go back and go further, we will,” Mayor Bill de Blasio told reporters Thursday, admitting that he had not heard of the news. before.

The mayor has faced repeated accusations of downplaying the lead crisis in public housing. During her tenure, NYCHA was accused of lying to the federal government about conducting inspections.

The federal monitor was appointed to oversee the agency’s reforms in January of last year, as a result of the lead paint scandal, as well as lack of heat, broken elevators, pests, leaks and other problems plaguing the Housing Authority. for decades.

More than 1,100 children tested positive for elevated levels of lead between 2012 and June 30, 2018. City officials note that childhood lead levels have decreased in recent years and that children living in complexes they tend to have lower rates of lead poisoning than those who live in private homes.

In his statement, the monitor said that the agency will now begin work to repair the apartments.

“With this new information, the importance of rapidly and thoroughly implementing all necessary actions must be emphasized,” said Schwartz. “I am committed to having these lead safety measures in place as soon as possible. Protecting these children is a central part of my mission as a monitor.”

– .