It’s a race against the clock for the New York City Housing Authority, which will start testing 189 community centers for lead-based paint. The agency has until March 31st to detect any high lead levels in locations providing programs for children. Some New Yorkers we spoke with say, it’s about time.

“I think the government should get involved and make the landlords responsible to do what they’re supposed to do and make sure the tenants are safe,” said Jose Ortiz, a parent.

About 1000 children living in public housing were poisoned by lead between 2012 and 2016.

The city department of investigation previously revealed that NYCHA failed to meet requirements to hire certified inspectors to test for lead paint or to remove it.  A year ago, NYCHA reached an agreement with the U.S. Department of housing and Urban Development to start complying. The deal requires visual assessments and X-Ray Fluorescence testing in common areas, to determine the presence of lead-based paint and address any deficiencies.

“They need to renovate at least every two to three years and paint,” said Sunil Sukhu, a Bronx Resident and parent.

Lead-paint problems persist beyond public housing, due to the many buildings built before the use and sale of lead-based paint was banned more than a half-century ago. And the problem is worse in the Bronx than in other boroughs.

Bronx lawmakers say they hope a series of laws by the City Council requiring audits and inspections of buildings as well as faster inspections for contaminated apartments will help address the problem in the borough which doctors say can put children at risk for a life-time of health and behavioral problems.

“We care for the sickest county here in the state of New York. This is something that should have been solved permanently a long time ago. The fact that we have to continue to monitor this and report it is of concern,” said David Alejandro, Dir. of Communications Med Alliance.

You can find a center that offers free lead-screening by calling 311. NYCHA says their testing will be conducted on weekends and after hours to not interrupt the children’s programs and will take corrective action if needed. They say they will post the final results on each building entrance.