It’s National Lead Poisoning Lead Prevention Week

Elected officials from Oneida and Herkimer Counties are marking National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week.

County Executive Anthony Picente says in recent years, Oneida County has had one of the highest levels of childhood lead poisoning in the state.  But Picente says it's an problem the county has tackled head-on.

Beginning with a $1 million investment from the Community Foundation of Oneida and Herkimer Counties, the Lead-Free MV Coalition is working to attract additional resources that will eliminate lead hazards in pre-1978 housing , expand testing and enhance community awareness.

Lead Free-MV and the Community Foundation will be holding a public presentation on Tuesday at 4:30 at Watson Williams Elementary School in Utica.

The event will feature the authors of  "Lead Wars: The Politics of Science and the Fate of America's Children" and a panel discussion with local experts.

Information is available at leadfreemv.org.