Expanded lead testing reveals more cases

Monroe County tested more children for lead poisoning in 2024 than ever before, conducting 15,570 screenings and confirming 299 cases, according to the Department of Public Health.

This figure is a 58-case increase from 2023, which itself was an increase from 2022 (141) and 2021 (189). While this increase in confirmed cases is notable, it is still too early to determine if this is a trend, and officials remind families of the importance of testing.

New York State law mandates that children be tested for lead at ages 1 and 2 and at-risk children should receive continued screening until age 6.

“Lead exposure can harm a child’s growth, learning, and long-term health, but it is preventable,” Marielena Vélez De Brown M.D., Monroe County Commissioner of Public Health says. “Because most children with lead poisoning do not show symptoms at first, testing is an essential step to protect their health and connect families with support early.”

“This data reminds us that testing, safe housing and community awareness are essential to protecting children,” adds Clare Henrie, director of the Coalition to Prevent Lead Poisoning. “Every child in Monroe County deserves a healthy home and a bright future free from the harms of lead exposure.”

In Monroe County, the majority of 2024 lead poisoning cases had elevated blood lead levels between 5 and 9 micrograms per deciliter, which can impact brain development, but is not immediately noticeable. As the lead level increases, so does the severity of harm, with levels over 20 micrograms per deciliter requiring medical intervention, such as chelation therapy, to remove lead from the child’s bloodstream.

While the number of administered tests is typically broken down by ZIP code within the city of Rochester and those outside it, last year’s data raised accuracy concerns. A Monroe County spokesperson says officials are actively discussing this with the state, but a timeline for the more detailed view is not yet known.

Even without this latest data, the issue of childhood lead poisoning continues to be mostly concentrated within Rochester, even as testing is split relatively evenly between city and non-city ZIP codes. From 2017 to 2023, ZIP codes within the city accounted for at least 80 percent of confirmed cases of children with elevated blood lead levels.

A contributing factor is likely the high proportion of older housing stock in the city. Until a 1978 federal law banning the practice, lead-based paint was widely used in homes due to its durability and moisture resistance. Within Rochester’s city boundaries, well over 70 percent of the housing stock is pre-1978. Paint in these older homes can contaminate an area through dust and scrapings that fall off during high-friction activities such as clearing or renovations.

“We know that the safest homes are ones where lead hazards, like peeling paint or older plumbing, are fixed before children are exposed,” Vélez De Brown says. “We encourage families, landlords and neighbors to learn about lead safety and simple steps they can take to help keep children healthy.”

The Department of Public Health links this increase in identified cases to an expansion of testing and outreach, including outreach to families who may not have had consistent access to testing before coming to Monroe County.

They add that resources and steps for parents, caregivers, and property owners to prevent lead exposure can be found online through the New York State Department of Health and the Coalition to Prevent Lead Poisoning.

Henrie further outlines five steps that parents can take with their children as recommended by CPLP.

■  Test your child: Ensure your child gets a blood test for lead at ages 1 and 2.

■ Inspect your home: Check for peeling or chipping paint, especially in homes built before 1978.

■ Keep areas clean: Regularly wet mop floors and wipe windowsills with wet cloths to reduce lead dust.

■ Use lead-safe practices: Follow lead-safe practices during renovations to prevent lead dust exposure.

■ Monitor toys and products: Be cautious of recalled toys and imported products that may contain lead.

“We know what works to prevent lead poisoning, and we must continue doing it together,” Henrie says.

Jacob Schermerhorn is a Rochester Beacon contributing writer and data journalist.

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