New York City Council Approves Expanded Lead Testing (1)

New York City will be stepping up testing for lead contamination and expanding other lead-control programs under a legislative package the City Council passed March 13.

The legislation follows a $2.2 billion federal settlement the city reached to cope with major lead paint problems and other decay in its public housing. But the package aims to broaden the citywide response to lead contamination beyond the housing projects.

City Health Department statistics show a decrease in childhood lead poisoning to an historic low, and with higher levels tied to private residences than public housing. Mayor Bill de Blasio (D), ...