CORONA — The sponsors of a bill that would require the MTA to check for lead paint on elevated subway stations are pushing for Gov. Andrew Cuomo to sign it as soon as possible.
Sen. Jose Peralta and Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz held a press conference Friday to ask the governor to push the bill forward after it passed in both houses.
The bill would require the MTA and NYCTA to study and report back on all elevated train lines in its system — including the 7 train, where a study from District Council 9 Painters' and Allied Trade Union lead level on falling paint chips from the 7 train found 44,000 parts per billion.
► READ THE BILL REQUIRING THE MTA TO TEST FOR LEAD PAINT
Lead abatement is required when levels reach 5,000 parts per billion.
"There is nothing more basic to our job than protecting people's health, saving lives," Dinowitz, who represents neighborhoods in the Bronx, said.
"This bill is focused on that, because lead is poison and we have to address a problem when we find out there is a problem."
"We have the responsibility to not only protect New Yorkers and visitors, but we have the responsibility to protect our constituents," Peralta said.
