Lead

Lead is a harmful metal that can cause serious health problems. Lead is especially dangerous for children and pregnant women, but it can harm anyone.
Lead is often found in old paint. Lead paint, and the dust it turns into, is the most commonly identified source of childhood lead exposure in New York City.
Lead-based paint hazards are presumed to exist in dwelling units and common areas if the building was built before January 1, 1960.
Lead can get in your body by touching a product, surface or soil that has lead or is covered with lead dust, then putting your hands in your mouth. It can also get in your body if you eat, swallow or mouth a product that has lead.
Workers may be exposed to lead by breathing in lead dust or lead fumes during construction activities that disturb old, lead-based paint, such as renovations, repairs and demolition.
Children and Pregnant Women: Lead exposure can lead to learning and behavior problems in children. Exposure during pregnancy can cause high blood pressure and miscarriage and can affect the unborn baby.
Adults: Lead exposure can cause high blood pressure and brain, kidney and reproductive health issues in adults.

In New York City, Local Law 1 of 2004, and its amendments, require landlords to identify and remediate lead-based paint hazards in the apartments where there is a young child, using trained workers and safe work practices.
Lead-based paint hazards are presumed to exist in dwelling units and common areas if:
• The building was built before January 1, 1960;
• The building has three or more apartments; and
• A child under the age of six resides in the dwelling unit.
o *NEW* Under Local Law 64 of 2019, the definition of the term “resides” is to routinely spend 10 or more hours per week in a dwelling unit, which includes both a child who lives in the apartment and a child who just visits for this period of time.