ASSESSING THE IMPACTS OF NEW YORK CITY'S LEAD PAINT LEGISLATION (LOCAL LAW 1 OF 2004) ON THE HOUSING MARKET

I. Introduction Lead paint in homes has long been recognized as a significant factor contributing to health hazards in many older urban communities. Poor housing quality conditions, including peeling lead-based paint and leaking surfaces, expose children to lead dust, putting them at risk for adverse developmental health effects. Lead hazards in the home are generally known to be the most important factor in early childhood elevated blood lead levels (EBLLs). 1 "The scientific and medical consensus is that a child's primary route of lead exposure is oral ingestion of lead-based paint and lead-contaminated dust and, to a lesser extent, lead-contaminated soil." 2 Nonetheless, many experts accept that the presence of lead hazards in the home is the most likely cause of lead poisoning. 3 This Article therefore proceeds under the assumption that targeting lead hazards in the home is the most crucial step toward eliminating lead poisoning in children. With the recent enactment of Local Law 1 of 2004 (LL1 of 2004), previously known as Int. 101-A, New York City has taken an aggressive stance against lead poisoning. The law makes landlords responsible for inspecting and correcting lead hazards in multiple family dwellings throughout the city. 4 However, the new legislation has incited controversy within housing, health, and policy circles. 5 This controversy centers around whether LL1 of 2004 will improve housing conditions and the quality of children's health, or will ultimately lead to degradation of the quality of the city's affordable housing stock, resulting ...