Health Department Biweekly Reports Folder 0066, 2000-2001

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

Honorable Rudolph W. Giuliani -3- February 7, 2001

Number of Children with a Reported 8,921 8,101 7,058 5,325 4,831 BLL of 10 mcg/dL or Higher** 'The New York City Health Code defines lead poisoning as a venous blood lead level (BLL) of 10 micrograms/deciliter (mcg/dL) or higher. "Numbers may be adjusted because of further review of data.

This year the Health Department is launching the first phase of its Childhood Health Initiative in New York City neighborhoods that have traditionally been at high risk for lead poisoning and other preventable childhood illnesses. The initiative will entail dispatching health teams to the neighborhoods of Bushwick and Bedford-Stuyvesant in Brooklyn, and Jamaica, Queens to assess the potential risk of apartment dwellers for lead poisoning, accidents and injuries. The health teams will also assess immunizations and health insurance status, and promote better management of childhood asthma.

Since 1999, the Health Department has conducted environmental investigations and provided care coordination services for children with either one reported venous blood lead level of 20 mcg/dL or higher, or two reported venous blood lead levels of 15- 19 mcg/dL taken at least three months apart. This threshold for intervention, the Environmental Intervention Blood Lead Level, is commensurate with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations, and triggers a series of activities by the LPPP's Field Operations Unit. These include: • Inspecting the homes of identified children for possible lead hazards; • Sending Commissioner of Health Orders to Abate Nuisance to the owners of dwellings where lead-based paint hazards are found; • Educating families about possible lead hazards and ways to reduce children's exposure to lead; • Determining if a child is receiving medical follow-up care, contacting physicians, and assisting in obtaining follow-up care when needed; • Re-inspecting homes to determine if violations have been abated; and • Monitoring for safe work practices during repairs ordered by the Health Department in a home where a lead poisoned child resides or spends time.

BUISNESS AND TECHNOLOGY IMPROVEMENTS

Pest Control Database The development of the Pest Control Database is continuing and is expected to be fully operational in all regional offices by Spring 2001. This database will track all Complaints, Inspections, Exterminations and Clean-ups and will allow the transfer of data to the Office of Finance for more efficient research and billing. In addition, Community Affairs, DOH Legal and Intergovernmental Affairs will have read-only access to allow for more efficient response to inquiries from the community and elected officials. This system eliminates the need to transport paper documents since all file

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