Environment
Albany County Healthy Neighborhoods Program
Tenants and homeowners residing in housing built prior to 1978 and living in targeted neighborhoods-(City of Albany zip codes 12202, 12206, 12208, 12209, 12210, and the cities of Cohoes and Watervliet) are eligible for free home visits as part of the Healthy Neighborhoods Program offered by Cornell Cooperative Extension and the Albany County Department of Health. Educators conduct a brief home assessment, provide educational resources, and distribute cleaning supplies and safety products.
The Healthy Neighborhoods Program identifies health and safety issues relating to childhood lead poisoning, asthma, fire safety, indoor air quality, and tobacco prevention.
There is no charge for the program and there are no income eligibility
requirements. For more information, contact Nancy at NKL1@cornell.edu or 518-765-3521.
Click here to download our flyer
Asthma
Cornell Cooperative Extension Albany County works in conjunction with the Albany County Department of Health, the New York State Health Department, the Pediatric Asthma Coalition of the Capital Region, and other groups to help educate individuals about asthma. The 2006-2011 New York State Asthma Plan reports “asthma is a complex chronic disease of the lungs that is characterized by inflammation and narrowing of the airways and recurring symptoms such as dyspnea, cough and /or wheezing. Asthma prevalence has increased dramatically over the last twenty years in all populations in the United States. In New York State, asthma affects over one million residents, including 370,000 children (NYS Asthma Surveillance Summary Report, 2005).”
Click on the helpful links below:
Asthma-Friendly Bedroom Checklist
http://www.wmyhealth.org/services/paccr.cfm
Lead Education and Prevention
Lead Risk Assessment
This lead risk assessment is a quick and simple tool for parents to use for young children.
Click here for a lead risk assessment questionnaire.
Lead Product Recall Notebook
The Federal Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) issues recalls for many different kinds of products that pose a risk for serious injury or death. Cornell Cooperative Extension Albany County has compiled a notebook listing recent recalls that are related to lead hazards. It is recommended people stop using these products immediately. Information provided on the lead product recall sheets include the product description, where the product was sold, where to get more details about the health hazard, and what consumers can do, if anything, to return or replace the product. CPSC's recall hotline is 1-800-638-2772.
These lead product recall notebooks are available at the main branch of the Albany Public Library and also on the library’s bookmobile. There is no charge for obtaining lead product recall information sheets.
More information about lead awareness and prevention can be obtained by calling (518) 765-3521.
Lead Safe Work Practices Training
People should be aware of the potential presence of lead paint in homes built before 1978. For those involved in the building trades it is especially important to learn how to perform work in a lead-safe manner. There are simple, effective ways to make sure that an individual's heath is not endangered by exposure to lead during or after the work. This includes electricians, plumbers, carpenters, and do-it-yourselfers.
Cornell Cooperative Extension Albany County will be offering a program to teach attendees lead-safe work practices and the strategies for implementing them. Click here for information on the Lead Safe Work Practices Training.
What You Should Know About Lead…
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Lead paint was banned in U.S. residential paint in 1978.
(It was banned in France and many other countries prior to 1920.) -
Three-quarters of the nation's housing contains lead paint.
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Lead poisoning is a serious disease.
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Children under six are most at risk.
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Children from every region, race, and socioeconomic level are at risk.
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Lead poisoning causes learning and developmental disabilities.
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There are usually no symptoms.
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Even children who appear healthy can have dangerous levels of lead in their blood.
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Lead poisoning is preventable.
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Most lead poisoning happens at home.
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The primary cause is tiny particles of lead dust from deteriorated paint or from painted surfaces disturbed during remodeling, repair or renovation.
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Lead dust is invisible, so tiny in fact that it passes through most masks & filters.
- Lead poisoning affects adults as well as kids.
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Albany County offers free resource information, programs, and trainings on lead awareness and prevention. Contact Nancy at NKL1@cornell.edu or 518-765-3521 for more information.
The National Lead Information Center offers resources via a toll-free hotline at 1-800- 424-LEAD (5323).
Helpful links:
http://www.health.state.ny.us/environmental/lead/
http://www.albanycounty.com/departments/health/news.asp?id=2065
http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/nlic.htm
Radon Program
What You Should Know About Radon…
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Radon is an invisible odorless gas.
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It comes from the breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water. Radon gas is found all over the world, and in every state in the U.S.
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It is present here in Albany County.
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Levels can vary widely, even from home to home in the same neighborhood.
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Radon gas becomes a health hazard when it accumulates indoors and is breathed in.
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The radioactive energy bursts can irritate the lung tissue and damage DNA.
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Radon exposure is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. after smoking.
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Radon levels can be lowered, and homes can be built radon-resistant.
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Testing for radon is simple and inexpensive.
