County health department, city warn of the risks of lead paint

NORWICH – In an ongoing effort to reduce the number of instances of elevated lead exposure among area residents, the Chenango County Public Health Department is working with the City of Norwich Codes Enforcement Office to identify homes and apartments that may pose a health threat due to the interior use of lead paint.

City of Norwich Codes Enforcement Officer Jason Lawrence and Mayor Joseph Maiurano met with Chenango County Public Health officials last month to discuss initiatives on lead paint mitigation. While currently no programs or funding are in place to correct residences with lead paint, the search for such funding is underway and state grant funds – which would be funneled through the Chenango County Health Department – may be made available for homeowners and landlords further down the road.