"The 12206 ZIP code, which encompasses West Hill, Beverwyck and Upper Washington Avenue, has one of the state's highest concentrations of childhood lead poisoning."
"ALBANY — The child appeared out of the dimness behind a first-floor window, his dark hair tousled, a wide grin plastered across his face. He tapped on the pane, waving to Zoe Coombs as she passed by on the sidewalk.
The residence — a squat building whose paint adds a splash of color to an otherwise monochrome stretch of Elk Street — is one of roughly 20 households Coombs helps maintain as a property manager for the West Hill Refugee Welcome Center. She knows this family well.
Coombs waved back to the boy, calling him by his name. “He’s the one who tested positive,” she said. “We’re hoping that he’ll start in the pre-K program in the fall.”
The test she was referring to was for the child’s blood-lead level, a mandatory screening for all 1- and 2-year-olds in New York to determine if they’ve been poisoned by the toxic metal."
Chris Hippensteel reports for the Albany Times Union April 13, 2025.
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