Home » Toxins » Lead Paint Exposure »

Elmira receives funds to clean up lead paint

Oct 23, 2007 | Kat De Maria | News 10

A check presentation to Elmira and Chemung County leaders by the New York State Attorney General's Office had negative beginnings in the area. "Kennedy Valve here in Elmira illegally dumped lead-contaminated waste at a dump site that was not equipped to handle that waste," said Robin Baker, Executive Deputy AG for Criminal Justice.

In the spring, Kennedy Valve admitted to the illegal dumping. As part of that, Kennedy Valve's parent company agreed to pay $1.5 million to reduce childhood lead exposure and clean up lead-contaminated housing in this area.

"We were able to come up with a disposition that results in the money being used for the very positive purpose of protecting the children of the county," said Baker.

City and county leaders say lead exposure poses a significant risk to the area.

"You're really looking at lead paint used before 1970. And most of the houses in the city of Elmira were built before 1970. So we have a huge amount of potential property and potential risk for children in the city of Elmira," said Mayor John Tonello.

Now that they have the first installment of the settlement money, city and county leaders say they can more aggressively work to minimize that risk.

"We can really get out now, even more so and do a lot of lead testing," said Chemung County Executive Tom Santulli.

And if they find children have been exposed...

"Then the city will work on finding grants to clean up those lead paint areas, whether they're homes or other buildings in the city and throughout the county," said Mayor Tonello

"This in an opportunity to really conclude a problem that's been outstanding in our community for a long time with the kind of financial resources that we need," said Santulli.

...To protect the children of Elmira and Chemung County