Summary Report of 2011 Town Lead Survey

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In February 2011, the Coalition to Prevent Lead Poisoning’s Housing Committee sent a SURVEY OF LEAD BASED PAINT INITIATIVES IN MONROE COUNTY (see pg. 7) to twenty-nine local municipalities (outside of the City of Rochester but within Monroe County, New York) regarding current implementation of programs aimed at reducing lead based paint hazards in homes.

We were curious if local regulations or codes outside of the City of Rochester enforced lead paint safety, what was the estimated percentage of residential units built before 1978, if town officials were aware of and/or enforcing the Environmental Protection Agency’s Renovation, Repair & Painting (RRP) rule, and if we could provide any additional resources including educational materials or make presentations to staff or residents, etc.

Enacted in April 2010, the RRP rule requires that anyone paid to perform work that disturbs paint in housing and child occupied facilities built before 1978 be trained and certified by the Environmental Protection Agency. This includes resident rental property owners/managers, general contractors, maintenance personnel and trade contractors including: HVAC, painters, plumbers, carpenters, and electricians. Failure to comply may result in stiff penalties.  And, a NYSDOH report stated that in 2006/07, 14% of the children lead poisoned in New York State were as a result of home renovation projects done not following lead safe work practices. (Children with Elevated Blood Lead Levels Related to Home Renovation, Repair, and Painting Activities – New York State, 2006-2007)

Responding to the survey was voluntary. We informed survey recipients that the results would be published in LeadWatch and made available on the Coalition’s web site (www.letsmakeleadhistory.org).

• Of the 29 towns and villages sent surveys, 13 (or 45%) responded (Village of Brockport, Town of Chili, Village of Churchville, Town of Clarkson, Village of Fairport, Town of Gates, Town of Hamlin, Town of Henrietta, Village of Honeoye Falls, Town of Parma, Town of Rush, Town of Sweden, and Village of Webster).
• The remaining 16 (Town of Brighton, Village of East Rochester, Town of Greece, Village of Hilton, Town of Irondequoit, Town of Mendon, Town of Ogden, Town of Penfield, Town of Perinton, Town of Pittsford, Village of Pittsford, Town of Riga, Village of Scottsville, Village of Spencerport, Town of Webster, and Town of Wheatland) did not respond to the eleven question survey.
• Two villages that did not respond to the survey (Village of Hilton, Village of East Rochester) subsequently requested lead paint poisoning prevention educational materials (brochures, DVDs) for distribution at town offices.