In New York City (NYC), lead poisoning remains a public health concern. Historically, lead-based paint and occupational lead hazards have been the predominant sources of lead exposures among NYC’s lead-poisoned children and non-pregnant adults, but over the years, the NYC Health Department has identified a variety of lead-containing consumer products from around the world associated with elevated blood lead levels in NYC residents. These include certain foods, spices, health remedies, traditional ceramic or metal ware and cultural powders used by diverse groups. Lead-containing consumer products are the second most common potential source of lead exposure for NYC children; additionally, in approximately, 80% of NYC pregnant cases, imported products are a potential lead source. Often, these hazardous lead-containing products are obtained abroad and brought into the city. Recognizing the need to address this issue, the NYC Health Department developed the Non-Paint Sample Database (NPSD), an innovative system that systematically tracks consumer product lead surveillance data.

NPSD catalogues data for consumer products collected and tested during lead poisoning case investigations and store surveys, and since its inception in 2007, the system has tracked approximately 8,000 products. The benefits of this system are evident and wide-ranging. Broadly, NPSD has allowed for the identification of new product-related lead sources, broadened the understanding of potential risk factors for various populations— including immigrant communities who are at increased risk for lead exposures—and informed subsequent public health actions. On a granular level, insights from NPSD have guided risk communication activities, including public awareness campaigns, healthcare provider alerts, and business trainings. Additionally, enforcement actions guided by NPSD data have resulted in the removal of nearly 40,000 units of hazardous products from NYC store shelves. Finally, data collected through NPSD has been shared with federal authorities, prompting actions such as product recalls, import alerts, and health advisories. These data have also engaged international stakeholders and triggered investigations and audit activities in the products’ country of origin.

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As lead poisoning remains a persistent global issue that seemingly knows no borders, data-driven surveillance and regulatory policies must remain a priority. The NPSD model can serve as a blueprint for both national and international health authorities. When harnessed, data on lead-containing consumer products can bolster efforts to comprehensively address lead exposures in the United States and beyond. Identification of specific lead-containing consumer products can enable authorities to focus resources on hazardous products and persons at high risk for lead exposures from these sources. These data can also strengthen efforts toward improved product management along the supply chain—from growers to exporters—by guiding initiatives aimed at removing lead sources at the countries of origin. Understandably, such a full-scale system might require dedicated resources; however, this process can be iterative, as even basic tracking mechanisms can play a crucial role in reducing lead exposure. NPSD demonstrates how local initiatives can have a far-reaching impact, protecting public health worldwide and fostering international cooperation to eliminate lead-containing consumer products.

Acknowledgements

We recognize and deeply appreciate the contributions of Yoon-Sung Nam, PhD, MPH; Maia Fitzstevens, MS; and Kari Patel, MPH, to this publication.

Kolapo Alex-Oni, MPH, is an Environmental Health Scientist at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene where she works on environmental health-focused technical and educational initiatives. She obtained her MPH in Environmental and Occupational Sciences from the CUNY Graduate School of Public Health & Health Policy.

Dr. Paromita Hore has served over 20 years with the New York City Health Department as an Environmental Health Scientist providing technical assistance on issues related to environmental exposures. She holds a BS in Chemical Engineering, along with a PhD and MPH in Public Health from Rutgers University.