Landlords may be adding to lead problems

While often considered a closed case, the issue of lead contamination continues to plague vast portions of residential neighborhoods in New York City, according to the Times. Although the rate of lead poisoning in children has declined precipitously in the city over the last 15 years, down to 1,572 reported cases from 20,000 in 1995 according to the Center for Disease Control, experts say lower-income areas where buildings are badly maintained are still plagued by the problem. Among the causes is landlords’ “rampant noncompliance” with lead prevention mandates, according to the CDC, despite comprehensive measures handed down by local officials.