Guide
The Onondaga County Lead Program: A Resource Guide
Published by Onondaga Lead Services Updated August 11, 2026
This guide is general information, not legal or medical advice. Lead rules depend on your specific property and situation. Confirm details with the linked government sources, and rely on a licensed contractor or attorney for advice about your case.
Onondaga County has long been a focus for childhood lead prevention because of its older housing stock. If you are worried about lead in your home or your child's health, the county program is a practical place to start. This guide explains what it does and how to reach it, and links you to the official resources.
What the county lead program offers
- Coordination of childhood blood lead testing and follow-up.
- Community education, including multilingual outreach.
- Environmental investigations of homes when a child has an elevated blood lead level.
- Guidance for families and property owners on next steps.
Start at the Onondaga County Health Department lead program and its lead resources page.
How testing and intervention work
New York directs providers to test children for lead at about age one and age two. When a young child has a confirmed blood lead level at or above the state's action level of 5 micrograms per deciliter, the local and state health department can investigate the home and require the owner to correct identified lead hazards. The CDC blood lead reference value used for screening is currently 3.5 micrograms per deciliter. Neither number is a "safe" level; any exposure is best avoided.
If you are a property owner
A proactive inspection or risk assessment can help you understand your home before a problem arises, and landlords can review our rental compliance page. If cost is a concern, owners and landlords may qualify for the HUD Lead Hazard Reduction Grant Program or the Windows, Doors, and More Program, both listed on the county's lead home repair resources page, or another local program. Amounts and eligibility change, so the county page is the current source, and our guide to lead paint grants lists the other programs and links each one. The county program is the authority for public-health questions.
Where to get help fast
- Health concern about a child: contact your physician.
- General lead questions: EPA National Lead Information Center, 1-800-424-LEAD.
- Local testing and investigations: the Onondaga County Health Department lead program.