Why We Do This Work in New York
Lead robs children of their potential. The CDC is clear that there is no safe blood lead level in children — even small amounts can harm a developing brain, reducing learning capacity, attention, and academic achievement, with effects that can be permanent. Children under 6 are most at risk because their growing bodies absorb more lead and their hand-to-mouth behavior brings lead dust to their mouths.
A 2024 study published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry estimated that childhood lead exposure contributed to roughly 151 million excess psychiatric-disorder cases in the U.S. population over the past 75 years — raising population-wide rates of depression, anxiety, and attention problems.
Estimate from Reuben, McFarland & Hauer, Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, Dec. 2024 (DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.14072). CDC: no safe blood lead level; reference value 3.5 µg/dL.
New York takes childhood lead seriously: under Public Health Law §1370-e, laboratories must report all blood-lead results for children age 17 and under to the State Health Department's Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, and providers are required to screen children at ages 1 and 2. Our mission in New York is simple — find the lead, prove where it is, and help families remove the danger from the places where children live and play.
How Lead Work Is Regulated in New York
New York is one of 11 EPA-administered states, which means the federal EPA runs the lead abatement, evaluation, and Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) programs directly — New York does not issue a separate state lead-abatement contractor license the way Connecticut and Massachusetts do. The operative credentials for lead work in New York are EPA firm certification (abatement and/or RRP, depending on scope) and EPA-certified individuals (inspector, risk assessor, supervisor, workers).
AAA Abatement LC holds EPA Lead Inspector certification (LBP-I-I323241-1) and is an EPA RRP Certified Firm. To do business in New York, an out-of-state company also needs New York State business authority (a foreign-LLC Application for Authority), which AAA has in progress. We are honest about where we stand: we are entering and expanding in the New York market, and we will confirm the right EPA cert and any county-level licensing for your specific scope before work begins.
What We Offer New York Families
- Lead paint inspection & XRF testing — performed under EPA Lead Inspector certification LBP-I-I323241-1 to identify exactly where lead-based paint is in your home
- Clearance dust-wipe sampling — documented testing so you know a space is safe for a child to return to
- Lead-safe renovation guidance — EPA RRP firm practices for paint-disturbing work in pre-1978 homes
- Post-renovation lead dust assessment — if a contractor left dust behind, we test and document it
- Grant & program navigation — help identifying county HUD and NYS programs you may qualify for
For NY lead abatement (permanent hazard removal) scope, we will confirm the correct EPA firm certification and any local licensing for your project before committing — call (413) 355-0575 and we will walk you through it honestly.
New York Cities We Serve
Explore our New York city pages, or reach out about any community in the state:
Grant & Funding Programs in New York
New York funds lead-hazard reduction mainly through counties and targeted state programs rather than a single statewide owner-occupant grant:
- County HUD Lead Hazard Reduction programs — cover privately-owned pre-1978 homes and rentals, prioritizing households with children under 6 or a pregnant resident. Apply through your county health department
- NYS HCR — Leading in Lead Prevention (LEAD) — grant funding for pre-1980 multi-family rental remediation (landlord-targeted)
- NYC HPD Lead Hazard Reduction — for qualifying buildings within the five boroughs
Eligibility, income limits, and per-unit amounts vary by county and program. Call your county health department to verify your program, and we will handle the compliance side of the work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is AAA Abatement licensed to work in New York?
AAA Abatement LC holds EPA Lead Inspector certification (LBP-I-I323241-1) and is an EPA RRP Certified Firm. Because New York's lead program is EPA-administered, EPA firm and individual certification is the governing credential for lead work. AAA is actively expanding into New York, with its New York State business registration in progress. Call (413) 355-0575 to confirm scope and current licensing for your specific project.
Why is New York different from Connecticut for lead contractors?
New York is one of 11 EPA-administered states, so the federal EPA runs the lead abatement and RRP programs directly rather than the state issuing its own lead-abatement contractor license. Connecticut runs its own authorized program and requires a state license. In New York, EPA firm and individual certifications are the operative credential.
Is there a safe level of lead for my child?
No. According to the CDC, no safe blood lead level in children has been identified. Even small amounts of lead can harm a child's developing brain — affecting learning, attention, and behavior — and the effects can be permanent. The CDC reference value is 3.5 µg/dL. If you are concerned, ask your pediatrician for a blood lead test.
Are there lead paint removal grants in New York?
Yes. County HUD programs cover privately-owned pre-1978 homes and rentals, prioritizing households with children under 6 or a pregnant resident, and the NYS HCR Leading in Lead Prevention program funds pre-1980 multi-family rental remediation. Programs and eligibility vary by county — call your county health department to verify.
Where does lead exposure come from in older New York homes?
If your home was built before 1978 it is more likely to contain lead-based paint. The most common sources of childhood exposure are lead dust from chipped or peeling paint and from friction surfaces such as windows and window sills, doors and door frames, stairs, railings, banisters, and porches. Exterior paint that flakes can also contaminate soil and yards.
Protect Your Family — Start With an Inspection
Tell us about your New York property and we will respond with next steps, honest licensing details for your scope, and grant guidance.
Call (413) 355-0575