At a glance:
- Lead levels in Syracuse’s water have reached 70 parts per billion (ppb), more than double the levels seen in Flint, Michigan, during its infamous water crisis.
- The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) reports that over 14,000 homes in Syracuse are connected to lead service lines, posing a significant health risk to residents.
- Advocates are calling for immediate action, including a state of emergency declaration and an accelerated replacement of lead pipes to protect public health.
Syracuse, New York, is facing a public health crisis, with lead contamination levels in its drinking water exceeding those in Flint, Michigan, during its water crisis. The NRDC has sounded the alarm, revealing that the city’s lead levels have reached up to 70 ppb in some homes—far above the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) action level of 15 ppb. This situation has raised significant concerns about the safety of the city’s water supply, especially in homes with aging lead service lines.
Lead exposure is a well-documented health hazard, particularly dangerous for children, pregnant women, and vulnerable populations. According to the NRDC, Syracuse has one of the highest rates of lead poisoning in the nation, with over 9% of children citywide showing elevated blood lead levels. In some areas of the city, this figure rises to nearly 20%. Long-term exposure to lead can result in developmental delays, behavioral issues, and irreversible cognitive impairments in children. In adults, lead exposure is linked to cardiovascular disease, kidney problems, and neurological disorders.
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Despite the city’s water source—Skaneateles Lake—being lead-free, the contamination occurs as the water travels through old, lead-containing pipes and fixtures. Syracuse officials have acknowledged the issue, stating that the city has been transparent in addressing the elevated lead levels. They have initiated efforts to replace lead service lines, with plans to replace more than 3,000 lines over the next year. The state of New York has allocated over $22 million to support this effort.
However, advocates like Oceanna Fair of Families for Lead Freedom Now argue that the city’s response is not sufficient, given the severity of the crisis. Fair, whose granddaughter tested positive for elevated blood lead levels, is pushing for the city to declare a state of emergency and provide immediate relief, such as distributing water filters to affected homes and offering free blood lead testing for residents.
The NRDC, along with local advocacy groups, is urging New York state officials to treat the lead contamination as an urgent public health crisis. They are demanding more aggressive action to inform residents about the dangers of lead in their drinking water and to expedite the replacement of lead pipes across the city. Without swift and decisive intervention, the lead contamination crisis in Syracuse could have long-lasting consequences for the health and well-being of its residents.