Dutchess County Government is working with the City of Poughkeepsie to help prevent childhood lead poisoning.   A new program, the Lead Primary Prevention Program, will target the City of Poughkeepsie homes in the 12601 zip code, which the New York State Department of Health has identified as the zip code with the highest annual incidence of Elevated Blood Lead Level (EBLL) in Dutchess County.

Homes built before 1978 may contain lead paint or household plumbing made with lead materials.    More than 70% of housing in the City of Poughkeepsie was built before 1970, so the potential for lead exposure is high.

The Lead Primary Prevention Program seeks to educate people about how to identify the existence of lead based paint; how lead-based paint affects the body; the dangers it presents to people, especially children and pregnant women; where lead-based paint is most often located and how to use safe work practices to handle lead-based paint hazards.

To learn more about the Lead Primary Prevention Program, check out the following resources:

• See the News Release announcing county-city initiative.
• View a MAP (.pdf) showing Initial Confirmed Elevated Blood Lead Levels
• Read the Lead Primary Prevention Program Summary Sheet (.pdf)
• Check out the Wipe Out Lead by Renovating Right! Flyer (.pdf)
• View the Prevent Childhood Lead Poisoning Flyer (.pdf)
• Read the Frequently Asked Questions (.pdf) about the US EPA's Renovation, Repair and Painting Program Final Rule (40 CFR Part 745).