Fighting lead exposure in New York City's public housing

NEW YORK (FOX 5 NY) - The lead paint issue is a painful one for NYCHA families, especially at the Melrose Houses in the Bronx where several children tested positive for dangerous lead levels.

After falsified inspection records and a state Supreme Court ruling, now Mayor Bill de Blasio's administration is rolling out a program called LeadFreeNYC for everyone.

Lead inspections of apartments with children under 6 were finally done but only after a court order. Now doubts remain about how the inspections were done.

In announcing his LeadFreeNYC initiative, the mayor stated that 97 percent of cases of children with lead exposure are from privately owned apartments and homes. His administration was also found to understate the number of children in NYCHA who tested positive for lead. The mayor said they're trying to make it right.

"We will… review every single apartment in public housing with new technology to once and for all know which apartments have any remaining existing lead paint and which have none," de Blasio said, "and to make sure every apartment is addressed."

The mayor said parents and guardians can call 311 to have their children tested for free.

The head of the citywide council of presidents of NYCHA developments said that if the mayor is sincere he should meet with residents.