East Elmhurst, NY – Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz and State Senator Jose Peralta’s legislation requiring the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the New York City Transit Authority to conduct a study relative to the amount of lead paint in elevated subway tracks passed both the State Senate and the State Assembly. The bill is now at Governor Andrew Cuomo’s desk, and who will decide whether or not to sign it into law.

The bill was introduced by Senator Peralta and Assemblyman Dinowitz on May 1st. Under the proposal, the MTA will have to submit a written report offering recommendations to eliminate any possible exposure to lead paint by falling chips form the elevated tracks of the subway system.

“I am pleased that both houses of the legislature passed this important public safety measure. This bill requires the MTA and the NYCTA determine and report which areas of the aboveground transit infrastructure are plagued with hazardous levels of lead paint and which parts of New York City’s aging transit system must be immediately remediated before the thousands of New Yorkers who rely upon city transit become sickened or poisoned. We cannot expect people to live and work while being forced to use subway platforms coated in flaking lead-paint chips that may increase their risk of lead poisoning,” said Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz. “It is almost inconceivable in this day and age that people must put up with any lead-poisoning related dangers, yet this legislation will go some way toward ending this problem.”

“I am glad we were able to move this vital piece of legislation quickly through both houses of the legislature in order to protect New Yorkers. In a little less than a month and a half, it was possible for us to introduce and pass this bill in regards to the amount of lead paint in elevated subway tracks, including the 7 line. This subway line cuts across several hard-working communities in my district, and unfortunately lead paint chips are falling onto the streets and sidewalks,” said Senator Peralta. “We must ensure we remove hazardous lead paint from tracks, stations and trestles. The safety of New Yorkers comes first.”