"The next bill before me is Introductory Number 396-A, sponsored by Council Members Fidler, Reyna, Dilan, Gonzalez, Martinez, Baez, Rivera, Monserrate, Lopez, Palma, Quinn, Stewart, Oddo, Recchia, Boyland, Comrie, James, Koppell, Gerson, Addabbo, Vann, McMahon, Weprin, Gennaro, Vallone, Reed, Jennings, Felder, Clarke, Avella, Seabrook, Gioia, Barron, Perkins, Gentile, Brewer, Provenzano, DeBlasio, Lanza, Gallagher, Sanders, Yassky, Jackson, Sears, Foster, Liu, Nelson, Katz, Moskowitz, and Speaker Miller.  This bill prohibits the sale of candy containing lead and the sale of litargirio for personal use.

"The connection between lead poisoning and adverse health effects is widely recognized.  While lead poisoning from lead paint is the primary source of lead exposure in New York City children, exposures from other non-paint sources remain a concern.  Introductory 396-A seeks to control two such sources, namely lead contaminated candy and litargirio.  This bill prohibits the sale of any candy product containing lead that the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene determines is risk to public health.  Further, the legislation prohibits the sale of litargirio, a traditional remedy used as an anti-perspirant and for treating burns and wounds, which has been found to contain high levels of lead.

"This legislation takes a common sense approach to protecting public health and reducing the incidence of lead poisoning in New York City. I would like to thank the City Council, the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the Department of Consumer Affairs for their leadership on this issue."