pictures of lower east side tenants tell a story of lead ......landlords like samy mahfar, steve...

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For Immediate Release: September 18, 2018

CONTACT: Brandon Kielbasa, (212) 228-8210, [email protected]

Pictures of Lower East Side Tenants

Tell a Story of Lead Contamination

Tenants call on the City to enforce Local Law One to its fullest extent and

protect them from lead dust during renovations

New York, NY - Tenants from the Lead Dust Free NYC (LDFNYC) coalition are releasing a series of

photos showing the faces of lead dust contamination. As elected officials focus more on the issue of lead

in NYC housing, LDFNYC urges them to crack down on landlords who contaminate buildings with lead

during construction.

Lead contamination arising from unchecked construction dust has hit Lower East Side (LES) tenants hard

over the last five years. Landlords like Samy Mahfar, Steve Croman, Raphael Toledano, and Icon Realty

have all exposed tenants to lead through this form of contamination (attached NYC Dept. of Health lead

reports prove the tenants’ claims). In response, LES tenants have formed this campaign and assembled

these photos of themselves to highlight the extreme lead exposure they have faced through construction

dust in their buildings.

City Council has taken up new legislation regarding lead and will be holding a joint oversight and

legislative hearing on September 27th at 10 a.m. While tenants applaud new legislative efforts to stop

lead poisoning, they want to also bring attention to the lax enforcement of existing laws. NYC’s

predominant lead law is Local Law One of 2004. It was enacted fourteen years ago and many aspects of

the law, which would help protect tenants from lead laden construction dust, are simply not being

enforced.

“We have had multiple lead violations at 514 East 12th St. The last violation placed found lead dust at

four times the EPA standard. I do not believe Local Law One is enforced. I had to call city agencies

continually to get the dust tested and the landlord to follow the proper Local Law One protocol. Since I

was exposed to lead dust, I have suffered from a number of health issues and have heard my neighbors

allege the same problems. More needs to be done to enforce the law and collect fines or put a lien on

properties when tenants have to live with reckless construction,” said Holly Slayton, a long-time Lower

East Side tenant whose doctor advised her and her daughter to wear face masks in their own home during

renovations in their building.

mailto:[email protected]

https://maps.google.com/?q=514+East+12th&entry=gmail&source=g

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“Lead exposure has been at the forefront of recent local news. However, this issue goes far beyond the

public housing crisis we’ve been reading about,” said Councilwoman Carlina Rivera. “Tenants and

advocates across the city have demanded remediation and enforcement in all older, residential buildings

adversely affected by haphazard construction and renovation. Lead dust is hurting the health of New

Yorkers and our most vulnerable populations - landlords must be held accountable. That is why

campaigns by coalitions like Lead Dust Free NYC and additional legislation being considered by the New

York City Council are essential in protecting families from this health hazard.”

“Virtually every building in New York City at some time will go through renovations. If it’s not done

properly, exposure to lead dust can be extreme. We’ve seen tenants deal with nearly 500 times the legal

limits during periods of construction,” said Cooper Square Committee Organizer Jodie Leidecker.

“They’re breathing it, sleeping in it––just living in it every minute for days at a time.”

“Every tenant has the right to live in their home without the fear of severe health effects caused by lead

paint and dust,” said Council Member Margaret S. Chin. “That is why I introduced legislation this year

to empower city agencies to stop dangerous and dirty construction before it sickens tenants and their

families. We must remain vigilant against this menace to the health and wellbeing of our neighbors, and I

thank the Lead Dust Free NYC Coalition and Cooper Square Committee for leading the way.”

“The De Blasio administration needs to do more to protect tenants from lead during renovations,” said

Cooper Square Committee Director of Organizing Brandon Kielbasa. “Landlords should be held

accountable when they don’t pre-register before major renovations, as the law clearly requires. We are

seeing extremely high levels of contamination through construction dust and the laws that are currently in

place, but not enforced, could do a lot to combat this problem.”

"I’m outraged that tenants in our community and across the city have been subjected to lead dust

contamination as a result of lax enforcement of existing regulations and careless landlords who are

renovating with zero consideration of tenants’ health. We need Local Law 1 to actually be enforced––it’s

been on the books for almost 15 years. It’s unconscionable that landlords are being allowed to sidestep

regulations and put tenants’ health in jeopardy,” said Assemblymember Harvey Epstein.

To view a slideshow of photos presented in the attached sheet, see http://bit.ly/LDFNYC1.

If you’re interested in being a part of the Lead Dust Free NYC campaign please reach out to Liam at

[email protected].

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About the Cooper Square Committee:

The Cooper Square Committee (CSC) works with area residents to contribute to the preservation and

development of affordable, environmentally healthy housing and community/cultural spaces so that the

Cooper Square area remains racially, economically, and culturally diverse. The CSC has spearheaded

significant neighborhood victories in its history, comprising over 50 years of tenant organizing,

community-based planning, advocacy and development. They rely on the active involvement of their

members in the organization's work to advance their affordable housing agenda.

http://bit.ly/LDFNYC1


Signs state the building address, the date of DOHMH lead test, and the highest level found in the building on this date. Tenants with each sign live in the respective building.

Pictures of Lower East Side tenants tell

a story of lead contamination

Prepared by the Cooper Square Committee, 61 East 4th Street, NY, NY 10003

Contact: (212) 228-8210, [email protected]

Client Sample Description ConcentrationLab ID Analyzed Area SampledLead

Collected

EMSL Analytical, Inc.307 West 38th Street, New York, NY 10018Phone/Fax: (212) 290-0051 / (212) 290-0058http://www.EMSL.com [email protected]

Attn: New York City DOH & Mental HygieneLPPP - Field Support Unit125 Worth Street, 6th Floor CN58New York, NY 10013

Received: 03/06/15 11:29 AM

LASU # L20150198/ HEALTH AREA: 14-6500/ 128 2ND AVE / APT CMN/ BORO: NEW YORK

Fax:Phone: (646) 632-6002

Project:

3/3/2015Collected:

Test Report: Lead in Dust by Flame AAS (SW 846 3050B/7000B)*

031506539CustomerID: NYHM25CustomerPO: 81620141404025ProjectID:

EMSL Order:

Site: 6TH FLOOR PUBLIC HALLWAY FROM STAIRS / FLOORDesc: NO WINDOW / CERAMIC

031506539-0001030315-1248-001 144 260 µg/ft²in²3/6/20153/3/2015

Site: STAIRS FROM 5TH TO 6TH FLOOR PUBLIC HALLWAY/TREADDesc: CERAMIC

031506539-0002030315-1248-002 96 270 µg/ft²in²3/6/20153/3/2015

Site: STAIRS FROM 5TH TO 6TH FLOOR PUBLIC HALLWAYDesc: WINDOW SILL / CERAMIC

031506539-0003030315-1248-003 20 10000 µg/ft²in²3/6/20153/3/2015

Site: 5TH FLOOR PUBLIC HALLWAY FROM STAIRS / FLOORDesc: CERAMIC

031506539-0004030315-1248-004 144 170 µg/ft²in²3/6/20153/3/2015

Site: STAIRS FROM 4TH TO 5TH FLOOR PUBLIC HALLWAY/TREADSDesc: CERAMIC

031506539-0005030315-1248-005 96 170 µg/ft²in²3/6/20153/3/2015

Site: STAIRS FROM 4TH TO 5TH FLOOR PUBLIC HALLWAYDesc: WINDOW SILL/ PAINTED BRICK

031506539-0006030315-1248-006 20 4800 µg/ft²in²3/6/20153/3/2015

Site: 4TH FLOOR PUBLIC HALLWAY FROM STAIRS / FLOORDesc: CERAMIC

031506539-0007030315-1248-007 144 88 µg/ft²in²3/6/20153/3/2015

Site: STAIRS FROM 3RD TO 4TH FLOOR PUBLIC HALLWAY/TREADSDesc: CERAMIC

031506539-0008030315-1248-008 96 370 µg/ft²in²3/6/20153/3/2015

Site: STAIRS FROM 3RD TO 4TH FLOOR PUBLIC HALLWAYDesc: WINDOW SILL/ PAINTED WOOD

031506539-0009030315-1248-009 20 2500 µg/ft²in²3/6/20153/3/2015

Site: 3RD FLOOR PUBLIC HALLWAY FROM STAIRS / FLOORDesc: CERAMIC

031506539-0010030315-1248-010 144 360 µg/ft²in²3/6/20153/3/2015

Page 1 of 2

Miron Apfeldorfer, Laboratory Manageror other approved signatory

Test Report ChmSnglePrm/nQC-7.32.3 Printed: 3/9/2015 11:21:40 AM

Reporting limit is 10 ug/wipe. The QC data associated with these sample results included in this report meet the method quality control requirements, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Unless noted, results in this report are not blank corrected . This report relates only to the samples reported above and may not be reproduced, except in full, without written approval by EMSL. EMSL bears no responsibility for sample collection activities.

* slight modifications to methods applied Samples received in good condition unless otherwise noted. Quality Control Data associated with this sample set is within acceptable limits, unless otherwise notedSamples analyzed by EMSL Analytical, Inc. New York, NY AIHA-LAP, LLC--ELLAP Accredited #102581, NYS ELAP 11506

Initial report from 03/06/2015 18:28:22

http://www.EMSL.com



Collected



Received: 03/06/15 11:29 AM

LASU # L20150198/ HEALTH AREA: 14-6500/ 128 2ND AVE / APT CMN/ BORO: NEW YORK

Fax:Phone: (646) 632-6002

Project:

3/3/2015Collected:


031506539CustomerID: NYHM25CustomerPO: 81620141404025ProjectID:

EMSL Order:

Site: STAIRS FROM 2ND TO 3RD FLOOR PUBLIC HALLWAY/TREADSDesc: CERAMIC

031506539-0011030315-1248-011 96 710 µg/ft²in²3/6/20153/3/2015

Site: STAIRS FROM 2ND TO 3RD FLOOR PUBLIC HALLWAYDesc: WINDOW SILL / PAINTED WOOD

031506539-0012030315-1248-012 20 9400 µg/ft²in²3/6/20153/3/2015

Site: 2ND FLOOR PUBLIC HALLWAY FROM STAIRS / FLOORDesc: CERAMIC

031506539-0013030315-1248-013 144 280 µg/ft²in²3/6/20153/3/2015

Site: STAIRS FROM 1ST TO 2ND FLOOR PUBLIC HALLWAYDesc: TREADS/ CERAMIC

031506539-0014030315-1248-014 96 360 µg/ft²in²3/6/20153/3/2015

Site: STAIRS FROM 1ST TO 2ND FLOOR PUBLIC HALLWAYDesc: WINDOW SILL / PAINTED WOOD

031506539-0015030315-1248-015 20 7200 µg/ft²in²3/6/20153/3/2015

Site: 1ST FLOOR PUBLIC HALLWAY FROM STAIRS/ FLOOR031506539-0016030315-1248-016 144 220 µg/ft²in²3/6/20153/3/2015

Site: BLANK031506539-0017030315-1248-017 0 <10 µg/wipein²3/6/20153/3/2015

Page 2 of 2






http://www.EMSL.com



Collected



Received: 03/15/16 10:29 AM

LASU#: L2016-0233/ 233 EAST 5TH STREET/ APT: CMN/ BORO: MANHATTAN/ HEALTH AREA: 14-6500

Fax:Phone: (646) 632-6002

Project:

3/11/2016Collected:


031606930CustomerID: NYHM25CustomerPO: 81620141404025ProjectID: EHSA-14-9526-N0

EMSL Order:

Site: 5TH FLOOR PUBLIC HALLWAY FROM STAIRSDesc: FLOOR/ NO WINDOW/ VINYL

031606930-0001031116-1248-001 144 630 µg/ft²in²3/15/20163/11/2016

Site: STAIRS FROM 4TH TO 5TH FLOOR PUBLIC HALLWAYDesc: TREADS/ NO WINDOW/ VINYL

031606930-0002031116-1248-002 96 67 µg/ft²in²3/15/20163/11/2016

Site: 4TH FLOOR PUBLIC HALLWAY FROM STAIRSDesc: FLOOR/ NO WINDOW/ VINYL

031606930-0003031116-1248-003 144 67 µg/ft²in²3/15/20163/11/2016

Site: BLANK031606930-0004031116-1248-004 n/a <10 µg/wipe3/15/20163/11/2016

Page 1 of 1






http://www.EMSL.com



Collected



Received: 05/31/17 11:28 AM

L2017-0376/ 325 E 12 ST/ CMN/ MANHATTAN

Fax:Phone: (646) 632-6002

Project:

5/26/2017Collected:

Test Report: Lead in Dust by Flame AAS (SW 846 3051A/7000B)*

031715497CustomerID: NYHM25CustomerPO: 20171410261ProjectID: EHSF-17-0857-N0

EMSL Order:

Site: FIRST FLOOR PUBLIC HALLWAY FROM ENTRANCEDesc: FLOOR/ LINOLEUM

031715497-0001052617-1700-001 144 110 µg/ft²in²6/1/20175/26/2017

Site: FIRST FLOOR PUBLIC HALLWAY FROM ENTRANCEDesc: WINDOW SILL/ WOOD

031715497-0002052617-1700-002 87 <17 µg/ft²in²6/1/20175/26/2017

Site: STAIRS BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND FLOORSDesc: TREAD/ MARBLE, LANDING PRESENT

031715497-0003052617-1700-003 114 39 µg/ft²in²6/1/20175/26/2017

Site: STAIRS BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND FLOORSDesc: WINDOW/ WOOD

031715497-0004052617-1700-004 84 40 µg/ft²in²6/1/20175/26/2017

Site: 2ND FLOOR PUBLIC HALLWAY FROM STAIRSDesc: FLOOR/ LINOLEUM

031715497-0005052617-1700-005 144 12 µg/ft²in²6/1/20175/26/2017

Site: 2ND FLOOR PUBLIC HALLWAY FROM STAIRSDesc: WINDOW/ WOOD

031715497-0006052617-1700-006 90 30 µg/ft²in²6/1/20175/26/2017

Site: STAIRS FROM 2ND TO 3RD FLOORSDesc: TREAD/ MARBLE, LANDINGS PRESENT

031715497-0007052617-1700-007 120 52 µg/ft²in²6/1/20175/26/2017

Site: STAIRS FROM 2ND TO 3RD FLOORSDesc: WOOD

031715497-0008052617-1700-008 108 14 µg/ft²in²6/1/20175/26/2017

Site: 3RD FLOOR PUBLIC HALLWAY FROM STAIRSDesc: FLOOR/ CEMENT/ CONCRETE

031715497-0009052617-1700-009 144 640 µg/ft²in²6/1/20175/26/2017

Site: 3RD FLOOR PUBLIC HALLWAY FROM STAIRSDesc: WINDOW/ WOOD

031715497-0010052617-1700-010 54 33 µg/ft²in²6/1/20175/26/2017

Site: STAIRS BETWEEN 3RD TO 4TH FLOORSDesc: TREAD/ MARBLE, LANDINGS PRESENT

031715497-0011052617-1700-011 120 41 µg/ft²in²6/1/20175/26/2017

Page 1 of 2



*Analysis following Lead in Dust by EMSL SOP/Determination of Environmental Lead by FLAA. Reporting limit is 10 ug/wipe. Ug/wipe = ug/ft2 x area sampled in ft2. Unless noted, results in this report are not blank corrected. This report relates only to the samples reported above and may not be reproduced, except in full, without written approval by EMSL. EMSL bears no responsibility for sample collection activities (such as volume sampled) or analytical method limitations. Samples received in good condition unless otherwise noted. The lab is not responsible for data reported in ug/ft2 which is dependent upon the area provided by non-lab pesonnel. The test results contained within this report meet the requirements of NELAC unless otherwise noted. "<" (less than) result signifies the analyte was not detected at or above the warning limit. Measurement of uncertainty is available upon request. The QC data associated with the sample results included in this report meet the recovery and precision requirements unless specifically indicated otherwise. Definitions of modifications are available upon request.Samples analyzed by EMSL Analytical, Inc. New York, NY AIHA-LAP, LLC--ELLAP Acc. #102581, NYS ELAP 11506


http://www.EMSL.com



Collected



Received: 05/31/17 11:28 AM

L2017-0376/ 325 E 12 ST/ CMN/ MANHATTAN

Fax:Phone: (646) 632-6002

Project:

5/26/2017Collected:

Test Report: Lead in Dust by Flame AAS (SW 846 3051A/7000B)*

031715497CustomerID: NYHM25CustomerPO: 20171410261ProjectID: EHSF-17-0857-N0

EMSL Order:

Site: STAIRS BETWEEN 3RD TO 4TH FLOORSDesc: WINDOW/ WOOD

031715497-0012052617-1700-012 45 <32 µg/ft²in²6/1/20175/26/2017

Site: FOURTH FLOOR PUBLIC HALLWAY FROM STAIRSDesc: FLOOR/ CEMENT/ CONCRETE

031715497-0013052617-1700-013 144 52 µg/ft²in²6/1/20175/26/2017

Site: FOURTH FLOOR PUBLIC HALLWAY FROM STAIRSDesc: WINDOW SILL/ WOOD

031715497-0014052617-1700-014 54 <27 µg/ft²in²6/1/20175/26/2017

Site: BLANK031715497-0015052617-1700-015 n/a <10 µg/wipe6/1/20175/26/2017

Page 2 of 2



*Analysis following Lead in Dust by EMSL SOP/Determination of Environmental Lead by FLAA. Reporting limit is 10 ug/wipe. Ug/wipe = ug/ft2 x area sampled in ft2. Unless noted, results in this report are not blank corrected. This report relates only to the samples reported above and may not be reproduced, except in full, without written approval by EMSL. EMSL bears no responsibility for sample collection activities (such as volume sampled) or analytical method limitations. Samples received in good condition unless otherwise noted. The lab is not responsible for data reported in ug/ft2 which is dependent upon the area provided by non-lab pesonnel. The test results contained within this report meet the requirements of NELAC unless otherwise noted. "<" (less than) result signifies the analyte was not detected at or above the warning limit. Measurement of uncertainty is available upon request. The QC data associated with the sample results included in this report meet the recovery and precision requirements unless specifically indicated otherwise. Definitions of modifications are available upon request.Samples analyzed by EMSL Analytical, Inc. New York, NY AIHA-LAP, LLC--ELLAP Acc. #102581, NYS ELAP 11506


http://www.EMSL.com


Atlas Environmental Lab, Corp.

255 W. 36th Street, Suite 1503 ▪ New York, NY 10018 ▪ T: (212) 563-0400 F: (212) 563-0401 ▪ www.atlasenvironmentallab.com

ANALYTICAL REPORT

Client’s Name:

NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene

Project Address: 514 East 12 Street

Apt/Boro: CMN/1 Child Id: N/A LASU #: L2016-0196 Lab ID: LW1117090 Date of Report: 11/10/2017

Atlas Environmental Lab, Corp255 W 36th Street, Suite 1503

New York, NY 10018Phone:(212) 563-0400 Fax:(212) 563-0401

www.atlasenvironmentallab.com

Client: NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene Report No: LW1117090Collected by: Client Date Sampled: 11/5/2017Technician: R. Abramson Date Received: 11/9/2017Child ID: N/A Date Analyzed: 11/9/2017LASU #: L2016-0196 Report Date: 11/10/2017Address: 514 East 12 StreetApt/Boro: CMN/1

Client ID # Lab ID # Floor Location/Description Area Sampled (Inches) Lead (µg/ft²)

110517-1618-001 LW1117090-1 1st Floor Public Hallway from Building Vestibule - Floor - No Window - Ceramic 12x12 11

110517-1618-002 LW1117090-2 Stairs from 1st to 2nd Floor Public Hallway - Tread - Ceramic (Half Landing Present) 15x10 169

110517-1618-003 LW1117090-3 Stairs from 1st to 2nd Floor Public Hallway - Window Sill - Painted Wood 12x5 26

110517-1618-004 LW1117090-4 2nd Floor Public Hallway from Stairs - Floor - No Window - Ceramic 12x12 33

110517-1618-005 LW1117090-5 Stairs from 2nd to 3rd Floor Public Hallway - Tread - Ceramic (Half Landing Present) 15x10 105

110517-1618-006 LW1117090-6 Stairs from 2nd to 3rd Floor Public Hallway - Window Sill - Painted Wood 12x5 44

110517-1618-007 LW1117090-7 3rd Floor Public Hallway from Stairs - Floor - No Window - Ceramic 12x12 17

110517-1618-008 LW1117090-8 Stairs from 3rd to 4th Floor Public Hallway - Tread - Ceramic (Half Landing Present) 15x10 127

110517-1618-009 LW1117090-9 Stairs from 3rd to 4th Floor Public Hallway - Window Sill - Painted Wood 12x5 30

110517-1618-010 LW1117090-10 4th Floor Public Hallway from Stairs - Floor - No Window - Ceramic 12x12 20

110517-1618-011 LW1117090-11 Blank N/A <5 (µg/Wipe)

Analysis Method: EPA 7000B Prep Method: EPA 3051B

RL (Reporting limit): 5.0 µg/ft² (based upon 1.0 square foot samples)

NYSDOH ELAP#11999 , AIHA ID:208306

Analyst: PL Approved by:

Collection procedure, protocols and sample locations are based on information provided by the client submitting the samples;

and as such, Atlas Environmental Labs disclaims any knowledge of and liability for the accuracy and completeness of this information.

The results related only to the items tested. Lead results are not corrected for blank.

ANALYSIS OF REPORT FOR LEAD IN DUST WIPES

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pictures of lower east side tenants tell a story of lead ......landlords like samy mahfar, steve...

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