Declare Lead Prevention Week

Senate Resolution No. 5810 BY: Senator COMRIE MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim October 21-27, 2018, 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 Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim October 21-27, 2018, 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 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, 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 Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim October 21-27, 2018, 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 Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New York.