K 560: Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim October 19-25, 2025, as Lead Poisoning Prevention Week in the State of New York

 Assembly Resolution No. 560 BY: M. of A. Rivera MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim October 19-25, 2025, as Lead Poisoning Prevention Week in the State of New York WHEREAS, The State of New York takes great pride in recognizing official weeks established to increase awareness of serious issues that affect the lives of all New Yorkers; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim October 19-25, 2025, as Lead Poisoning Prevention Week in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observation of National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week; and WHEREAS, National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (NLPPW) aims to help individuals, organizations, and state and local governments work together to reduce childhood exposure to lead; and WHEREAS, It is important to discuss lead poisoning prevention and response, raise awareness about the sources of lead exposure, and share helpful initiatives, policies, and resources; and WHEREAS, Human exposure to lead is a global public health issue; inhaled or consumed lead causes long-term consequences and irreversible damage among children and adults; and WHEREAS, Lead poisoning at very high levels can be fatal, and low blood lead levels can profoundly affect the brain and nervous system; and WHEREAS, Childhood lead poisoning is considered the most preventable environmental disease affecting children, and data shows that particularly in communities like the City of Buffalo with old housing stock, childhood lead poisoning remains a major risk for many families; and WHEREAS, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends early childhood lead screening to identify asymptomatic exposure as well as targeted screening of at-risk children according to known risk patterns; and WHEREAS, Moreover, homes built before 1978 should be tested for potential lead hazards, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has recommended reducing or eliminating workplace lead exposures through engineering controls such as substitution, isolation and ventilation; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body encourages cities across New York State to implement policies that take a proactive approach to lead mitigation in their communities, like the Proactive Rental Inspection program in Buffalo which authorizes the City to work with inspectors to help residents identify lead hazards and resources to mitigate them; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body recognizes that more resources are needed to address the true cost of lead remediation in both public and private buildings across New York State; and WHEREAS, National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, observed annually during the last week of October, addresses the public health burden caused by the widespread use of lead and lead products and advances the goal of eliminating childhood lead poisoning in the United States; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim October 19-25, 2025, as Lead Poisoning Prevention Week in the State of New York; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New York.