FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.qns.com july 7, 2016 • health • The Courier sun 45 ▶health Lead in water Comptroller: City’s lead water report for day care centers inaccurate BY ALEC POSNER editorial@qns.com @QNS The drinking water at your child’s day care center may not be as safe as you think. City Comptroller Scott Stringer released an audit that proved Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) officials told staff to falsify information about lead levels in water at sample day care centers in 2014. Out of these 119 sample centers, 70 did not have proof of tests. Auditors found that the city did not have any water lead test results on file, in either electronic or hard-copy form, nor could the agency provide any evidence that its staff had received such reports. Of the 49 that did send in actual test results, water at five day care centers tested positive for lead. “The outcome of this audit provides a critical reminder of why we need checks and balances in city government. Our auditors uncovered that a city agency was not following its own protocols and as a result potentially putting our children’s health at risk,” Stringer said. Lead can be toxic to humans and animals if consumed. Pipes made of the heavy metal were installed in homes and businesses across the city decades ago before the hazardous side effects of lead exposure — which causes developmental disabilities — were discovered. It seems that it would be very difficult for the centers to get falsified information past the DOHMH. In 2011, the DOHMH’s computerized database (CCATS) was modified to only allow permits to be issued when proof of a lead test and an appropriate remediation plan in the event the test had unsatisfactory results. The DOHMH claims that many of the day cares were under contract with the Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) or the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), and those agencies were responsible for lead tests. However, DOHMH provided no evidence to support this claim and the auditors’ review of the 70 facilities with no evidence of lead tests found that 52 were neither ACSaffiliated nor in a NYCHA building. The audit listed a few recommendations. The DOHMH may not give out permits to day cares unless they send in acceptable tests, follow up with the 70 day cares who falsified information, and make sure that other day care centers do not indicate a negative test where one was not given. The DOHMH has stated that 61 of the 70 sites are complying with the water testing protocol, and the remaining nine have closed. LOOKING FOR CARE FOR YOU OR YOUR LOVED ONE? CARING IS OUR BUSINESS Licensed by New York State Department of Health Accreditation MEDICAID ACCEPTED 188 Montague Street 10% OFF with this ad OUR EXPERIENCED PROFESSIONALS WILL DEVELOP AN APPROPRIATE PLAN OF CARE FOR EACH CLIENT. THE PLAN WILL OUTLINE SPECIFIC TASKS TO MEET THE CLIENT’S NEEDS. 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