CM Abreu Q&A: Chokshi on childhood lead poisoning
Abreu asks about the board's role in eliminating childhood lead poisoning. Chokshi notes the board historically amended the health code to remove interior lead paint and says the agency takes the threat seriously, though he's not aware of current needed code changes.
Thank you, Chair, and thank you, Dr.
Chokshi, for your previous service to our city and for your continued interest.
In public service to our city.
I have questions on childhood poisoning and vaccinations.
What is the board's health's role in eliminating child-led poisoning, and do you believe changes to the health code are needed to address this problem?
Thank you, Councilmember.
This is another critically important issue.
As you likely know, the Board of Health was the body that first called attention to and amended the health code to remove interior
lead paint from New York City buildings and particularly from our homes and schools.
And so I believe the board certainly has an important role to play when it comes to ensuring that lead poisoning is something that no child in New York City should ever be exposed to.
To your specific question, I'm not aware of current regulations or current changes to the health code that are needed to advance the work that has already happened, but I do know intimately that
the agency takes this very seriously as a threat to childhood health.