BUFFALO, N.Y. — Buffalo physicians and medical professionals are urging city leaders to address lead levels in a letter released today. The letter signed by 80 medical professionals and the New York State Chapter 1 of the American Academy of Pediatrics, called on officials to fully implement the Proactive Rental Inspections (PRI) Law in order to prevent childhood lead poisoning.
The PRI aims to reduce the alarmingly high rates of lead poisoning among children in Buffalo. It was passed in 2020, but four years later, the letter cites that "87% of the 36,000 units covered under PRI have not undergone inspection".
Dr. Melinda Cameron is the retired Medical Director at the WNY Lead Poisoning Prevention Center and has been the primary physician treating children with lead poisoning in Buffalo. Dr. Cameron says, "The aim is to make sure that the housing is safe for the kids when they move in and if the inspections don't occur and the remediations don't happen, and if it takes too many years for it to happen then the problem will continue to exist".
Unlike, regular diseases, there are no clear symptoms of lead poisoning and it affects the developing brains of children the most. Doctors say that the best way to address the issue is to prevent it. They implore the city to address the PRI law, ensure that there is funding, and confirm that inspections are done at a faster and more efficient rate.
The city has responded, saying that the city budget, which took effect today, has funding in place to hire seven new housing inspectors.
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